No Winter Solstice at Stonehenge this year
Just like in the summer, the sunrise will be live streamed instead.
English Heritage has confirmed that visitors won't be allowed for the Winter Solstice on the morning of Monday 21st December.
They've said that 'owing to the pandemic', it's not possible to have people gathering at the stone circle for the shortest day of the year.
The event normally attracts around 5,000 people to Stonehenge each year.
English Heritage say they're following 'clear advice from Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police' in making their decision for public health reasons.
Nichola Tasker, Stonehenge Director, said:
"We are very disappointed that we cannot host our usual Winter Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge. The solstices and equinoxes are incredibly important moments in Stonehenge's calendar, but this year has not been kind to such gatherings. We hope instead that people will enjoy the solstice sunrise on line from their home. We can't wait to do the Winter Solstice justice at Stonehenge next year."
The charity has also made it clear that their decision was made before the new national lockdown restrictions were announced.
There's no word yet on whether pagans and druids might be given some access for religious reasons.
LIVE STREAMED SOLSTICE
Instead of the public gathering, English Heritage will instead post a live stream of the Winter Solstice sunrise online, via their social media and YouTube channels.
Around 5.2 million people watched the Summer Solstice that way this year - here's a look back:
The Winter Solstice sunrise is just after 8.00am on Monday 21st December.