Summer Solstice at Stonehenge. Any tips please?

[bigyellowteapots]

It's my first time!

It's one of those things I've always wanted to witness at some point in my life, and tonight is the night!

Can anyone give me some pointers please. Such as the best time to arrive; what to wear; what to take; what to expect.

Excited...but also a bit nervous

You don't have a chance I'm afraid. There are far far more people who want to be there for the solstice than could ever be accommodated. Those who are successful will have been planning for the last year. If you are on asking how to achieve it today then you just don't have the dedication.

My advice would be to actually go to Avebury and not Stonehenge. I've been going to Avebury for the Solstice since I was 17, sadly had to miss it for a few years now as I don't live in the UK anymore.

I've spent the actual night of the solstice at Stonehenge twice and didn't like it much, the atmosphere is completely different. A LOT of people go and you are packed into the stone circle like sardines, there's also a lot more people that go there just to get wasted in my opinion. Because Avebury stone circle is more spread out it's much more enjoyable, there is a great pub right by the stones and lots of other beautiful things to see there like these really amazing beech trees up on the ridge way, Silbury Hill and West Kennet long barrow are just a couple of miles away across the fields. You can stay for a couple of days where as Stonehenge is just the night. They hold rituals in the circle on the day of the 21st and I've found the general atmosphere to be much friendlier.

But if you really want to go to Stonehenge, then most important to take would be comfortable clothes (something waterproof just in case, and something warm as it can get chilly at night even if the day has been really warm) plenty of water (or mead ;) ) and a blanket to sit on maybe. How long are you going for?

Really?

It's not as if you have to buy tickets. You just turn up when it opens, surely? I've looked on the National Heritage site and there is no suggestion you have to plan for a year. What exactly would I have to plan?

Thanks carrotfaery.

Avebury sounds lovely. I might speak to the others I'm going with and see if they fancy that instead. If not, I'll definitely try it another year.

I live in Hampshire so I was just planning on going for the night.

I'm going to Avebury. You can drink alcohol there much more relaxed. It's absolutely packed there now! Only advice is bring a warm jumper and coat because the temperature really drops at night. Enjoy xx

I know that it's gotten a lot more popular to go to Stonehenge and Avebury in recent years and there are loads more people there than when I started. When going to Avebury I would always get there a few days before the 21st as the areas you can camp now tend to fill up fast.
But as you're just going for the night that doesn't matter.

Stonehenge is very heavily policed, in Avebury there's police presence but it's much more relaxed. I've just read that alcohol is not allowed and you can only take small bags in also you're expected to piss off pretty quickly in the morning where in Avebury you can lay around the fields for as long as you like! If I haven't sold it enough for you yet (I am biased, I love the place) there will be live music and a theatrical performance in Avebury around 8pm by a samba band who I used to play with myself

I really want to be there now Saladd0dger please hug a stone for me!

I'm very jealous, I wish I was able to go to a solstice gathering this year

PP have a point - I'm pagan, and many people I know make serious plans for attending the solstice, starting to plan for the next year the day after it ends. Expect it to be very busy, and there will be a lot going on. Some large groups will probably be in attendance - check out some videos online to see what it was like in previous years

I live behind Stonehenge.

You will find no where to park by 3 this afternoon, that is within a mile walk.

The heritage site is closing at 3, but the druids are already here and camped anywhere that is close.

There are thousands there and you will be very lucky to get near the stones.

Yep go to Avebury

Go to Stonehenge if it's your dream.

Lots and lots of people.
Huge carpark. Long long traffic jams to get to it.
Might be extra busy because of weather.

No alcohol at Stones, so they will be lots of partying in huge grassy car park.

Some food stalls.
Rivals bands and music. Druids, tourists, hare Krishna, Christians, locals. All pretty good natured.

Very packed inside the stone circle. Amazing to be able to walk right up to the stones.
Take picnic blanket to sit on, and footwear for longish walk on rough grass.

Go for it.

I'm not there yet friends are. Roll on tea time, I wait all year for this. Will hug a stone later

Saladd0dger it was always the highlight of my year too. Might start making plans for next year, and possibly bring DS for the first time, he'll have just turned 4 so maybe old enough for it...

I've been. Won't be going again. Lots of fighting, a very long walk and lots of piss. Like a festival without the music.

Waves @OnnaNoHito

I'm Pagan too. I'm not drawn to any of the big sites as I struggle with huge crowds and people's energies.

I love, love Litha though. DP and I met 3 years ago tonight and are handfasting a year from tonight.

Tonight We are going to climb a hill near us, watch the stars and the sun come up.

Happy Solstice, love and light )0(

Thanks for all the pointers.

That doesn't sound so good Crazy. Fingers crossed for a peaceful year. If not, I'll make a hasty retreat.

I think we're going to get the train now to avoid the traffic queues. We've decided to stick to Stonehenge this year but I really like the idea of Avebury next year, but possibly arrange to stay a bit longer to really make the most of it.

Everyone is finishing work early so we can get going. Can't wait!

I went to solstice a few years ago at Stonehenge, it was not what I expected at all. I was expecting hippy types having a good time instead it was full of people off their butt on drugs ruining the whole thing for everyone. Plus heavily policed so just made the atmosphere really rubbish. I would definitely recommend going to Avebury as well as the other posters here.

How was it op? I'm hanging. Could sleep for a week. Looking forward to next year already

Have to say, I loved it! What an experience. It was so surreal walking through the stones (and touching them!) and there was a great atmosphere. Inside the stones was very busy but everywhere else was fine. We pitched up right next to the stones and had the perfect spot for a few hours of people watching. Joined in with some dancing and Hare Krishna. Sunrise was awesome. All my photos are rubbish - they don't do the whole thing justice at all.

No fighting, and the only bit of nastiness I saw was a vile woman who was off her face, screaming at her teenage daughter because her and her sister wanted to go home . I wanted to take the girls home with me.

I'd definitely go again (although I'd like to try Avebury next time) but I'd probably drive to the car park next time, rather than getting the bus from Salisbury, and I also might go a little bit later in the night. I thought we would struggle to get anywhere near the stones arriving when we did but we could have pretty much turned up at any point and still be fine. Glad I was there for the whole night for my first trip though.

Thanks everyone for your help

Glad you enjoyed it and managed to get close to the stones! Some people do both Avebury and Stonehenge as they're not far away from each other, they base themselves at Avebury for a few days and just go to Stonehenge for the night. It's what I did the couple of times I went to Stonehenge.

Oh, and Happy Solstice everyone! )0( xo