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Stonehenge summer solstice: In pictures

PA Media Police watch crowds celebrate during Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, where some people jumped over the fence to enter the stone-circle to watch the sun rise at dawn of the longest day in the UK.PA Media
Police and security staff watched on as crowds celebrated during the summer solstice at Stonehenge

The sun has risen on the summer solstice, marking the longest day of the year. Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, is traditionally seen as a meeting place to mark the occasion, but it was closed off after the government delayed the easing of England's covid restrictions into July.

About 200 people ignored advice not to travel to the site. Here's how this year's event passed in pictures:

Reuters Revellers climb over a fence to get into Stonehenge ancient stone circle, despite official events being cancelled amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), near Amesbury, Britain, June 21, 2021.Reuters
Some people climbed over a low fence to get into the ancient stone circle, after it was closed amid the spread of coronavirus
PA Media People inside the stone-circle during Summer Solstice at StonehengePA Media
The atmosphere inside the stone circle was said to be good natured and peaceful
PA Media People inside the stone-circle during Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, where some people jumped over the fence to enter the site to watch the sun rise at dawn of the longest day in the UK.PA Media
People celebrated with music and singing
PA Media A woman stands silent inside the stone-circle during Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, where some people jumped over the fence to enter the site to watch the sun rise at dawn of the longest day in the UK.PA Media
A woman stood silent as the sun came up behind the clouds
Reuters Revellers gather to celebrate the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge ancient stone circleReuters
It is believed that solstices have been celebrated at Stonehenge for thousands of years
Reuters Arch-Druid Arthur Pendragon speaks in front of Stonehenge ancient stone circle, during the celebrations of the Summer Solstice, despite official events being cancelled amid the spread of the coronavirus diseaseReuters
Senior druid King Arthur Pendragon performed a ritual from outside the fence
Reuters Revellers celebrate the Summer Solstice, despite official events being cancelled amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in AveburyReuters
People also turned up at Avebury Stones, about 24 miles (38km) away, where police closed part of the nearby Ridgeway footpath to maintain public safety
Reuters People look at the sunrise during the celebrations of the Summer Solstice, despite official events being cancelled amid the spread of coronavirus, in AveburyReuters
Onlookers got a glimpse of the sun through the clouds as they stood on a hill near the Avebury Stones
EPA Revellers gather to celebrate the summer solstice on Glastonbury Tor, Somerset,EPA
Others gathered at Glastonbury Tor in Somerset

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