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Thousands welcome summer solstice at Stonehenge

Harriet Robinson & Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
BBC News
Thousands welcome summer solstice at Stonehenge in Wiltshire

About 10,000 people have gathered to welcome the summer solstice at Stonehenge.

Druids and pagans joined a colourful mix of visitors to mark the longest day of the year at the ancient site near Salisbury, Wiltshire.

On the solstice, the sun rises behind the entrance to the stone circle, and rays of light are channelled into the centre of the monument.

Many people travel from around the world to celebrate at the stones.

Stonehenge's distinctive formation aligns to both the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset.

Crowds in front of Stonehenge as sun rises - people are taking photos with their phones
People capture the sunrise over the stones
Katelyn Sanders, Carolyn Pare and Vanessa smiling in front of the stones
Rhode Island family Katelyn Sanders, Carolyn Pare and Vanessa had come for their first solstice

BBC Radio Wiltshire's Karen Gardner was at Stonehenge as the morning broke.

There will be 16 hours of daylight on Wednesday.

Janet Burns and Gill Richardson wearing sunflowers with the stone circle in the background
Friends Janet Burns and Gill Richardson wore sunflowers to celebrate the solstice

Janet Burns and Gill Richardson, from County Durham, joined the celebrations in Salisbury.

"I wasn't sure what to expect but it exceeded my expectations," Ms Burns said.

Ms Richardson added: "Amazing, absolutely amazing. Never experienced anything like it, it was just fantastic."

Reuters Woman wearing flower headpiece touching stoneReuters
People often touch or hug the stones as the sun rises
Five people taking a selfie in front of the stones
Friends take a selfie as the sun rises about the stone circle at Stonehenge
Crowds watching the sun rise - the sun is glowing brightly
21 June will be the longest day of 2023

"What a sunrise that we've experienced this morning," said Scott Ashman, head of Stonehenge for English Heritage.

He said the sunrise "catches you off guard".

"You walk around with your back towards the sun, then you hear the cheers then you turn around and it's there."

Scott Ashman, head of Stonehenge for English Heritage, photographed outside
Scott Ashman from English Heritage said it was a "perfect sunrise"

Mr Ashman said he has to pinch himself sometimes, adding: "I really do look after one of the greatest wonders of the world."

Kate, who lives in France, said she had not had the chance to visit Stonehenge since before the coronavirus pandemic.

"It feels really wonderful to be back in the craziness of it all," she said.

"I think it's a really lovely way for people to exist in a more gentle and more present way than we have the opportunity to do in our normal lives."

Woman wearing headscarf with red lipstick pictured at night
Kate said solstice at Stonehenge was "a beautiful way to celebrate our more ancient traditions in the UK"
Stonehenge shown before sun has risen
Thousands waited to mark the longest day of the year
Two women smiling, one holding a baby
Sarah (l) introduced her newborn Rudi to Stonehenge, along with friend Charlotte

Sarah, from Bristol, said baby Rudi "slept the whole way through".

"It's been a lot more noise than we thought there might be."

She said that made it hard to "connect with nature", but added: "It's been an experience."

Andrew Matthews StonehengeAndrew Matthews
Senior druid King Arthur Pendragon conducts a service at Stonehenge on every solstice
Crowds in front of Stonehenge as sun rises
It is believed solstices have been celebrated at Stonehenge for thousands of years.
PA Media Sun rising above StonehengePA Media
It is the second summer solstice event at the stones since the pandemic
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