Winter Solstice at Stonehenge

Each year on Winter Solstice (the 21st December) visitors gather together with some of England’s Druid, Pagan and Wiccan groups to witness the sunrise at the world famous ancient site of Stonehenge. This year the shortest day coincides with the opening of a brand new visitor centre near the monument.

At dawn, the Altar stone, Slaughter stone and Heel stone align with the sun’s path. It is thought that when the stones were originally erected the Winter Solstice was a more important occasion than the Summer Solstice.

Stonehenge in winter snow, Wiltshire (Adam Woolfitt/Robert Harding)

Druid ceremony at Stonehenge (Adam Woolfitt/Robert Harding)

Aerial image of Stonehenge in snow (Last Refuge/Robert Harding)