Summer solstice at Stonehenge

This time last year, I posted about how Basques welcome the summer and celebrate the summer solstice (read here). This year however, I will bring you a unique plan to celebrate the summer solstice, here in the UK, next 20th June 2014.

I have been in Stonehenge twice and I am still intrigued with the ancient worship area. It is one of the wonders of the world and the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe. It is located in Wiltshire, between Bath and Salisbury, and it is the remains of a ring of standing stones set within earthworks from the Neolitic and Bronze Age. 

Archaeologists believe it was built anywhere from 3000 BC to 2000 BC (exact date is unclear). Some evidences indicate that Stonehenge could have been a burial ground but a significant number of myths surround the stones. Was it a place of healing? Was it a celestial observatory? Was it a solar calendar? Who knows.

I have been in Stonehenge twice, and despite the site loses its appeal with the building and fences around, the stones bring you to ancient times and the mystery around the site is very intriguing. The stones are visible from outside the fence, so you can take a picture of them without having to pay a dime. In my opinion, the entrance is abusively expensive (£13.90) and discount for students is ridiculous (£12.50). 

When I visited, the entrance ticket (which I must admit has a very beautiful design) includes a audio guide available in several languages. I could spend as long as I wanted within the site although there isn't much to do: once you walked the path around the stones, you are done! You cannot even take a close picture of the stones! 

However, there are some changes since I visited Stonehenge for the last time. Since February 2014, the entrance is managed by timed tickets so advanced booking is recommended. Apparently, new facilities have been opened last December and it now includes a "long-awaited" Stonehenge exhibition and visitor centre, which was not there when I visited. With this exhibition, they say "visitors are given a proper introduction" to the site to improve the visitors experience.

This is the reason why I recommend the Summer Solstice in Stonehenge: the parking and entrance to the site will be free, and you will have the opportunity to experience a night in a place where druids used to conduct ceremonies as well as walk in between the ancient stones. If you go, expect some individuals and groups conducting their own forms of ceremony and celebration and be respectful and tolerant with them as well as with the site itself. 

There are some conditions: glass is not allowed as many people walk barefoot and only small amount of alcohol will be permitted for personal use. You will not be allowed to climb or stand on any of the stones, or even camping, BBQing or lighting up any kind of fire (fireworks, fires, candles, tea-lights...). Sleeping bags or duvets will not be allowed either, so I hope it's a warm night. And obviously, nobody drunk or high is allowed within the site. (check all conditions).

Summer Solstice occurs on a weekend this year, so expect the roads around Stonehenge to be very busy. Organisers advise to leave the car at home and use public transport although it could be an Odyssey to go from Bristol to Stonehenge using public transport. First, you have to go to Bath and then, take another (probably expensive) bus to somewhere close to Stonehenge. If you decide to use the car, cars will not be allowed to arrive to the car park in advance of the opening times, organisers say on the website. Stonehenge will be open from 7pm on Friday until 8am on Saturday morning.

UPDATE (22/06/2015)
This year, we have finally been to the summers solstice at Stonehenge and it was great! Everything is well organised, lots of parking space for visitors and great atmosphere. We arrived by 7pm and we only had to wait 40 minutes in the queue to get into the car park area. The car park is around 1 mile away from the stones but the walk is very nice. There are many food stalls on site. We strongly recommend bringing food, a picnic mat and some blankets as the temperature go down considerably at night. Enjoy the sunset and sunrise with drum beats as a background. Overall, a very positive experience!

INTERESTING LINKS

• Stonehenge: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/?lang=en

NOTE: Picture of sunset over Stonehenge taken from Wikimedia Commons