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Guide to Stonehenge Winter Solstice: Explore traditions & meaning

Winter Solstice

The stones of Stonehenge have silently marked the winter solstice for thousands of years. Find out what the winter solstice is and why our ancestors might have built this extraordinary monument.

What is Winter Solstice?

The earth rotates on a tilted axis. When this axis leans towards the sun, it’s summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the south. This is reversed as the earth continues its orbit until the axis becomes tilted away from the sun.

The earth’s axis is tilted at its furthest point from the sun during the solstices. This means that the sun is at its lowest point in the sky in the northern hemisphere. It’s also the shortest day of the year - and the longest night.

‘Solstice’ roughly translates to ‘sun stands still’- as it was believed the sun was suspended in the sky on these occasions. Today, we know that the earth's tilt causes this effect. The perceived suspension of the sun shed light and energy into the ancient rituals and that energy has been retained to this day.

Importance of Winter Solstice

Marking the passage of time was important to many ancient cultures. For the people of Stonehenge who were farmers, growing crops and tending animals, knowing when the seasons were changing was important. Winter might have been a time of fear as the days grew shorter and colder. Marking this yearly cycle may have been one of the reasons that Neolithic people constructed Stonehenge – a monument aligned to the sun’s movements.

The stones were shaped and set up to frame at least two important events in the annual solar cycle – the midwinter sunset at the winter solstice and the midsummer sunrise at the summer solstice.

At the summer solstice, around June 21, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone and its first rays shine into the center of Stonehenge. When visiting Stonehenge today, you'll find only one of the stones of the tallest trilithon still standing. When it was built, however, the Great Trilithon aligned to the central axis. This meant that the winter solstice sun would’ve set directly between the two upright stones when viewed from the center of the circle. This trilithon stood at the head of the inner stones.

The winter solstice may have been more important than the summer solstice for the people who built and used Stonehenge. Excavations at Durrington Walls suggest that people held huge feasts around this time of year.

Midwinter feasts

Midwinter celebrations are nothing new. People of many cultures and religions have been feasting at this time of year for thousands of years. It’s no coincidence that Christmas falls close to the midwinter solstice – the shortest day of the year. From then on, the days become longer and warmer, and this is a cause for celebration – with huge amounts of food!

Durrington Walls is a Neolithic settlement about two miles away from Stonehenge. Archaeologists think the people who built and used Stonehenge lived here around 2500 BC. Recent excavations revealed over 38,000 discarded pig and cattle bones.

Archaeologists discovered that these animals were probably killed when they were around nine months old. They would have been born in the spring, so it would seem that these pigs and cattle were slaughtered during the winter solstice.

What to see during Winter Solstice

Sunrise

Each year in December visitors gather at Stonehenge early in the morning to mark the Winter solstice and to see the sunrise above the stones. English Heritage provides free Managed Open Access to Stonehenge Solstice and Equinox celebrations. The sunrise on December 21 is at 8:04am.

Druid ceremony

You’ll be immersed in a spiritual celebration dating millennia. Join locals, spiritualists, historians, environmentalists, tourists, and people from all religions. See revelers sing, dance, pray, play instruments, connect with the stones, and perform religious rituals as the sun rises over the monument.

Plan your visit

Timings

Getting there

Facilities

Rules

Visitor tips

Most tours depart central London at approximately 4am on December 21, depending on the access time at Stonehenge.
The tours allow you to spend 2-3 hours inside the circle and witness the sun rising and the Druid ceremony and festivities.

Address: Salisbury SP4 7DE, United Kingdom | Find on Maps

By train: South Western Railway
Nearest station: Salisbury
By coach: Evan Evans Tours, The English Bus
Nearest stop: Stonehenge coach park
By car: Via M3 and A303
Nearest parking: Stonehenge car park

Toilets: In addition to the toilets in the Visitor Center, there are portable toilets in the field and in the coach parking area.
Shuttle bus: A free shuttle service is available for this winter event from the car park to the Stones. While walking takes around 40 minutes, the shuttle should just take 15 minutes.
Audio guides: Audio guides are available at Stonehenge in Spanish, Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Japanese, Russian, Korean, and Portuguese. These can be collected before you board the shuttle from the Visitor Center. They can also be downloaded from Apple Store or Google Play.
Parking: Parking is available at the Stonehenge visitor center. Parking costs £5.
Gift shop: There is a gift shop at the visitor center where you can purchase a wide variety of souvenirs, from books and replicas of the stones to local crafts and jewelry. However, there is a possibility that it might be closed for the winter event.
Free Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available at the Stonehenge visitor center. This can be helpful if you're downloading the audio guide or need internet access during your visit
Wheelchair accessibility: Stonehenge is wheelchair-accessible, with pathways leading to viewing points near the stone circle. A shuttle service is also available for those who need assistance. Accessible restrooms and parking are provided at the visitor center.

Stonehenge is a World Heritage Site, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and is seen by many as a sacred place. We ask that all those attending respect it and those celebrating around it.
Do not climb or stand on any of the stones – this includes the stones that have fallen. This is for your own safety and also to protect this special site and respect for those around you.
Amplified music in or around the monument field is prohibited.
Alcohol is not allowed within the monument or monument field; it will be confiscated, and those in possession may be asked to leave.
Drunken, disorderly, and anti-social behavior will result in removal by security or police.
Illegal drugs are prohibited; the police will take action against offenders.
No glass items, blades, or sharp objects are permitted into the Monument Field.
Drones or remote-controlled flying devices are not permitted.
Only small bags are allowed on entry. Security searches may be conducted, with illegal items confiscated and entry refused.
Camping is not permitted at Stonehenge and sleeping on the ground is a trip hazard that can interfere with the work of the emergency services.
Chairs are permitted for visitors who need them. Please make sure the chair is designed for outdoor use and place it on an area of level ground, at least 2 meters away from any of the standing or fallen stones. Please ensure that chair legs are not driven into the ground.
Please use the toilets provided in the Monument Field and Visitor Centre and do not desecrate the Monument or surrounding land.

The Stonehenge is usually roped off. You can observe the stones from a distance and are not permitted within the temple complex. However, the 'Winter Solstice' tours allow you to be amongst the stones before the site is open to the general public. Since these tours are popular and limited on a first-come, first-served basis, it’s best to book them in advance.
Visiting Stonehenge for the Solstice from London would be virtually impossible by public transport, so book a tour with round-trip transfers. While Stonehenge has a car park (costs £5), the car park is usually at full capacity. These tours are designed for people staying in London without their own transport and offer great value with a guided tour on the coach.
When booking a Stonehenge winter solstice tour, make sure to book one that includes a tour of Salisbury to enhance your experience. Walk the streets of this ancient market town, see black and white Tudor houses and the Salisbury Cathedral with the tallest spire in Britain, the original surviving texts of the Magna Carta in the Chapter House, or visit the traditional local market.
There may be a 20- 30 minute walk to the monument so bring a torch!
It’s worth asking around which stone the sun will peak through if you’re not sure. This is the spot for the best solstice photo.
An enormous horn marks the beginning of the event. Find a spot where you can see the center-right of the heel stone, and look towards the sun through the narrow opening.
It’s worth packing a water bottle, warm clothes, a torch, waterproof boots, your camera, a selfie stick, and gloves.
Food and drinks are not usually included in the tours, so bring a quick bite with you. You can also buy food at the rest stops on your tour.

Skyscape

English Heritage has created the Skyscape to enable people to experience the skies above the iconic stone circle, learn about the movements of the sun, moon, and planets, and see the solar alignment at Stonehenge.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Stonehenge winter solstice

Are guided tours available during the Stonehenge winter solstice?

Most visitors explore independently, but there are guided tours available for those interested in a deeper historical context, including special solstice tour packages. Consider booking these in advance due to high demand.

How soon should I book a tour?

As the solstices are an important event at Stonehenge, most tours sell out months in advance, particularly at busy times of the year. We'd recommend booking as soon as you can to guarantee your seats so as not to be disappointed.

Can I bring a wheelchair/stroller/luggage?

It may be possible to accommodate a folding wheelchair/stroller/some luggage, but most coaches have limited storage space, so please get in touch with your requirements before booking. Stonehenge itself is wheelchair accessible. However, large bags are not allowed on the premises.

What should I wear?

English weather can be temperamental, and therefore it is a good idea to bring some warm clothes with you, especially in the winter. Layers are a good way to adapt to the often-changing weather conditions. Comfortable shoes are a good idea too, as walking is involved. It would be a good idea to bring an umbrella and/or waterproofs with you, just in case.

What should I bring on my Stonehenge winter solstice tour?

Bring a camera, and some cash for entrance fees, coffee, lunch, souvenirs, etc (most places take cards, but for some small purchases, you may need to pay cash).

What are the best tips for photographing Stonehenge during the Winter Solstice?

For breathtaking photos, aim to capture the sunrise through the stones. Arrive early to find your ideal angle, and consider using wide-angle lenses to capture the crowd, monument, and sunrise.

Is the Stonehenge winter solstice event family-friendly?

Absolutely! The solstice event is suitable for all ages, and children often enjoy the wonder of the sunrise and the magical atmosphere.

Is there a dress code or cultural etiquette for attending the Winter Solstice?

No formal dress code is enforced, but respectful behavior is encouraged. Many participants may be engaged in personal rituals, so observing from a respectful distance is appreciated.

Is there a time limit on how long I can stay at Stonehenge during the Winter Solstice?

No time limit is enforced, but many visitors leave shortly after sunrise to avoid crowds. You can linger to take in the views and explore the surroundings at your own pace.