Stonehenge Solstice – What is it and when should you visit?

Every year, thousands of people from around the world gather at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England, to witness the sunrise on the summer solstice. Facing northeast, they watch as the sun rises precisely over the stones, creating a magical moment. This is one of the rare occasions when visitors are allowed to enter the stone circle and touch the stones.

The stunning view of the rising sun at Stonehenge has led many to wonder if its builders intended it to serve as a stage for the solstice. While we can only rely on archaeological evidence to speculate, this question remains one of many surrounding the monument. Theories range from connections to King Arthur legends to extra-terrestrial involvement.

Here’s what we know about Stonehenge’s relationship with the solstice.

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What is Solstice?

Depending on the place and the season, varying amounts of sunlight reach the Earth. Due to the tilt of the Earth, only one-half of the globe experiences sunlight. Because of the Earth’s 23.5-degree tilt, one-half of the planet has longer days and nights due to more sunlight.

When the Earth’s tilt is at its maximum, one hemisphere has its longest day while the other has its longest night. This event, called the solstice, happens twice a year. Stonehenge, an ancient site in England, is a fantastic place to witness this. Standing in the stone circle, you can see the sun rise behind the Heel Stone in a serene and majestic way.

What is the Heel Stone?

The Heel Stone is the centre of where the sun rises on Summer Solstice at Stonehenge if you were standing in the centre of the inner circle. It is the largest single block of Stone at Stonehenge, so it easily stands out as a critical focus point.

Why is there a Solstice?

The Earth’s tilt causes the solstice to occur. We have four distinct seasons according to the tilt of the Earth. Summer lasts from June to August in the hemisphere facing the sun and from December to February in the hemisphere facing the opposite sun. Winter is present in the hemisphere that faces the sun.

Parts of the Arctic Circle in the Northern Hemisphere see 24 hours of sunshine at the summer solstice, whereas there is no sunlight at all in the Antarctic area, which is in the Southern Hemisphere. On the evening before the winter solstice, we see that the reverse happens. While the Antarctic belt receives 24 hours of sunlight, the Arctic Circle does not.

When does Summer and Winter Solstice occur?

Stonehenge is famously aligned with the sun during the solstices, which are significant astronomical events marking the longest and shortest days of the year.

Summer

• Date: Around June 21st
• Event: The sun rises behind the Heel Stone, located in the north-east part of the horizon, and its first rays shine directly into the heart of Stonehenge.
• Significance: This alignment suggests that the monument was used to mark the longest day of the year, which was likely important for agricultural and ceremonial reasons.

Winter

• Date: Around December 21st
• Event: The sun sets to the south-west of the stone circle, aligning with the central axis of the monument.
• Significance: The shortest day of the year was also likely significant for prehistoric people, marking a time of rebirth and renewal as the days began to lengthen again.

These alignments indicate that Stonehenge was not only a ceremonial site but also a sophisticated astronomical observatory used by ancient people to track the movements of the sun and the changing seasons

Was Stonehenge built to highlight the solstice?

Experts are quite confident that the builders of Stonehenge positioned the stones to highlight the events twice a year. However, due to the lack of documentation from that period, much is left to the imagination.

“We know that the midsummer dawn and midwinter sunset lines are respected by the stone circles. However, I don’t believe that was the primary reason for building it,” says Sebire.

While the summer solstice is a popular time for tourists to visit, it might not be the only significant event. The Trilithon, consisting of two vertical stones with a horizontal stone on top, is also aligned for optimal viewing at the winter solstice when the sun sets behind it. Sebire notes that the Trilithon is perfectly aligned with the midwinter sunset.

Scientists believe the monument aligns more directly with the winter sunset than the summer sunrise. According to Darvill, if the stones were set up to coincide with the winter solstice, it would naturally align with the summer solstice as well.

Experts like Sebire and Darvill have other reasons to think the monument is more closely related to the winter solstice. The Neolithic builders recognized the winter solstice as the shortest day of the year, despite their limited resources and technology. They understood that “things were going to get better,” as Sebire puts it, with longer days and the return of good weather for planting crops.

The monument’s alignment goes beyond just the solstices. The number and patterns of the stones suggest a 365.25-day calendar, indicating that the construction includes some form of calendrical reference, according to Darvill.

Why do people go to Stonehenge for Summer Solstice?

While it’s unlikely that the Druids built Stonehenge, the connection remains strong. Modern Pagan and Druid groups consider it their temple and feel it’s their right to worship there, much like attending a church or cathedral. Stukeley was the first to write convincingly about Stonehenge’s link to the solstices, though it was known before his time.

John Aubrey’s 17th-century discovery of Stonehenge, including the Aubrey holes used for early burials, was significant before Stukeley’s work. The legend of Stonehenge continues, with the 56 Aubrey holes being a notable attraction for tourists.

It’s interesting that thousands gather at Stonehenge for the summer solstice sunrise, while fewer visit in winter, despite the winter solstice likely being more significant. The weather is a simple reason; summer is more pleasant for picnics and concerts. Many people also want to visit Stonehenge during the solstice to make their experience even more special.

Regardless of its true history, everyone can appreciate the magnificent sunrise at the solstice. As Darvill says, “We may place ourselves as nearly as possible in the shoes of prehistoric humans.” Experiencing the sunrise from within the stone circle during this pagan festival is truly special.

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