6,000 people visit Stonehenge for Summer Solstice
It's the first time since 2019 that people have been allowed on site
Last updated 21st Jun 2022
Just over 6,000 people have celebrated the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge.
Free access to the site for the summer solstice had been cancelled for the last two years due to Covid.
The event at the neolithic Wiltshire monument drew people from across the world, with many keen to capture it on their smart phone!
Sunrise was 4.49am and although a little hazy the moment was greeted with cheers.
Our reporter Jack Deery was at Stonehenge to see what the atmosphere was like:
Many druids and pagans attended carrying out rituals to mark the longest day.
Wiltshire Police say the event passed 'smoothly' with just two arrests, one for suspicion of common assault and the other for suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs.
Superintendent Phil Staynings said:
"This year’s Summer Solstice – the first one celebrated as a public gathering at Stonehenge in three years - has been a success on many levels.
"Inevitably, there were some traffic delays approaching Stonehenge due to the sheer number of vehicles wanting to visit the site, but overall the whole event has passed off with no major incidents and the atmosphere remained convivial throughout - no doubt helped by the weather which has been incredible this year.
"It’s good news that only two arrests were made, showing that the good relationship we have with our partners, including English Heritage at Stonehenge and the National Trust at Avebury, does work to make large scale events like this run smoothly."
Stonehenge sunrise livestreamed
Despite people being able to be there in person, the sunrise was still streamed live by English Heritage, you can watch it back here:
The charity say they 170,000 people from across the world tuned in to watch the event.
Nichola Tasker, English Heritage’s Director of Stonehenge, said:
“Celebrating Summer Solstice is one of the highlights of the year at Stonehenge and we’re so delighted to have been able to welcome people back this year and also to live stream the occasion to thousands of people right around the world. Wherever you are, it’s a great opportunity for friends and families to come together to mark the longest day of the year, as people have done for thousands of years.
“There was a warm, friendly atmosphere throughout, and everybody enjoyed a beautiful sunset and dawn.
“Summer Solstice at Stonehenge is a major operation and we couldn’t do it without the support of our partners, especially Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Council. We look forward to welcoming people to the Summer Solstice again next year.”