'Record-breaking' solstice crowd at Stonehenge
About 25,000 people have celebrated the summer solstice at Stonehenge - a record breaking crowd.
The event is one of the few occasions people can walk next to the stones at the ancient site near Salisbury in Wiltshire.
It comes on what could be the UK's hottest day of the year so far with temperatures predicted to peak at 34C.
Stonehenge's operations manager Julia Richardson told the BBC it had been a peaceful event with an "amazing atmosphere".
She added it was a "perfect combination" of the warm weather and solstice falling on a weekend that brought the crowds out.
Jennifer Wexler, Stonehenge's curator of history, said the sunrise had been "amazing".
"It's a really wonderful way to come and mark this seasonal moment in time," she added.
Wiltshire Police said this year's celebration at Stonehenge was "a safe and successful occasion".
"There were some traffic issues due to vehicles being abandoned which meant we had to close some roads around the site for the protection of pedestrians on the A303 and A360," it said.
"Once the car park at Stonehenge was full motorists chose to park along the main roads, which caused further safety concerns and traffic management issues.
"We appreciate the patience of those effected by the delays."
The solstice attracted people from as far away as Hong Kong and America, along with thousands from the UK.
Abigail Ng, 28, has lived in the UK for more than a decade and said she felt she had to visit Stonehenge before moving back home to Hong Kong.
She said she was drawn to Stonehenge after hearing about the atmosphere and pagan festivals and traditions.
"I had to come here before I left," she said. "So I grabbed my best friend who lives up in Edinburgh and dragged her here this morning."
And, one family from Atlanta, Georgia, celebrated an 18th birthday at Stonehenge.
They said when she was born they would take her to Stonehenge for the landmark birthday.
"The weather has been absolutely amazing, the people have been amazing," said mum Kerri Hobson-Pape said.
She said it is "really special" to be there for the solstice.
Elsewhere, a crowd gathered on Glastonbury Tor to watch the sunrise ahead of the music festival next week.
Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
Thousands celebrate solstice at Stonehenge as UK faces 34C heat on longest day of year
Yellow storm warning issued as UK heatwave set to continue
English Heritage
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
4 hours ago
- Washington Post
Sunrise at Stonehenge draws druids, pagans and revelers to celebrate the summer solstice
LONDON — As the sun rose Saturday on the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, a crowd erupted in cheers at Stonehenge where the ancient monument in southern England has clocked the summer solstice over thousands of years. The orange ball crested the northeast horizon behind the Heel Stone, the entrance to the stone circle, and shone its beam of light into the center of one of the world's most famous prehistoric monuments. The solstice is one of the few occasions each year when visitors are allowed to walk among the stones, which are otherwise fenced off.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Magic Roundabout ranked as one of UK's most stressful junctions
The Magic Roundabout in Swindon has been ranked as one of the UK's most 'stressful' junctions. A new survey of 1,000 drivers found that the iconic landmark placed second, just below the Hanger Lane Gyratory in London. For more than 50 years, the unusual layout - which arranges five mini-roundabouts in circle around a central island - has fascinated and confused people who are unfamiliar with Swindon's roads network, particularly as it is possible to navigate that central island in an anti-clockwise direction. The survey, by the Scrap Car Comparison website, is based on how drivers felt when shown one street view perspective and one satellite image of various junctions and roundabouts. These motorists were then asked to rate from on a scale of one to 10 how much confusion, fear, anxiety and confidence they felt at the thought of driving through it. The Magic Roundabout scored 42, which placed it above Norwich's Cromer Road & Boundary Road Junction, The Crooked Billet Interchange in Waltham Forest, and Ynysforgan Roundabout in Swansea. Recommended reading: Eager shoppers queue up as new Designer Outlet store opens Town centre Poundland closed and boarded up Health warning made more severe as Wiltshire hit with 30C heat Customer service manager Matt Clamp said: 'Driving through unfamiliar junctions can rattle even the most experienced motorists. 'Our advice? Start by planning ahead, tools such as Street View or route planners can help you visualise the road before you set off. 'Try to get into the correct lane early by watching for signs and markings. 'Don't let other road users rush you - it's perfectly okay to go at your own pace. 'Always signal clearly and confidently to show your intentions, especially if you need to change lanes. 'Consider driving at quieter times of day when the roads are less busy. A little preparation can go a long way in turning a potentially stressful drive into a safe and confident journey.' The Magic Roundabout may seem bewildering at first glance but it is easier to navigate than it looks. It recently won the honour of Roundabout of the Year, with the awards body describing it as a 'terrific traffic-island system'. Cllr Chris Watts, Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet member for transport, said: 'The Magic Roundabout is a proud part of Swindon's history and we wouldn't have it any other way. 'We know it can be intimidating for some, but if drivers take it slow and steady then it can be easily navigated. 'While accidents might happen, this isn't inherently to do with the roundabout itself and it is very safe. 'If drivers are still nervous, there's always the tried and tested method of just driving round the outside.'
New York Times
5 hours ago
- New York Times
Former Swansea head coach Luke Williams working at Bristol Airport while on gardening leave
Luke Williams, who was the head coach of the Championship club Swansea City as recently as February, is now working at Bristol Airport. A photo of Williams at the airport, wearing uniform, was posted on social media on Saturday, prompting a reaction of disbelief among many people, in some cases questioning whether the picture was some sort of a hoax. Advertisement A source close to Williams has since confirmed to The Athletic that the 44-year-old has been employed at Bristol Airport, which is in the south west of England, for the last two weeks. Williams' job involves helping disabled and limited-mobility passengers around the airport terminal. The former Notts County and Swindon manager is on gardening leave since being sacked by Swansea in February after 13 months in charge at the Welsh club, and, on the face of it, there is no financial need to work while he waits for another opportunity in football to come up. However, Williams has always talked about the importance of a good work ethic — 'in my opinion, motivation in life is everything', he told The Guardian in a wide-ranging interview in February 2024 — and, according to those close to him, he was keen to do something meaningful with his time rather than sit at home. It is a highly unusual tale but, at the same time, in keeping with Williams' backstory. In that interview with The Guardian, Williams explained how he had loaded lorries for British Home Stores, and also drove minibuses to and from airports and nightclubs, to help to fund his coaching career in the early days, when he was earning £1.50 ($2) for every player that attended his sessions. Williams also applied to get on an electrician's course when he left Swansea for the first time, two years ago, when he had been working as assistant manager to Russell Martin. He subsequently took over at Notts County and led the club back into the English Football League via the play-offs, playing an expansive and attractive brand of football that prompted Swansea to appoint him as head coach in January last year. ()
