June | 2013 | Stonehenge Stone Circle News and Information

Summer Solstice 2013 – Stonehenge managed access

10 06 2013

English Heritage is once again welcoming people to Stonehenge to celebrate the 2013 Summer Solstice. Sunrise will occur at 4.52am on Friday 21 June, on what is the longest day of the year.

Peter Carson, Head of Stonehenge at English Heritage, said: “This is the 14th year that English Heritage has provided free access to the stones and we are looking forward to a peaceful celebration enjoyed by thousands of people. This ongoing success is due to English Heritage working closely with the key partners and communities and together delivering an enjoyable and safe solstice. And, as with every year, we will balance the needs of those attending the solstice with our duty to protect the Stone Circle and its surrounding monuments.”

“The opening of the new Stonehenge visitor centre in December this year with its museum-quality exhibitions, a spacious café, and dedicated education space, will herald an exciting new era for Stonehenge. The way in which people visit Stonehenge in the future will change: we will be uplifting the whole experience to a level that befits this extraordinary and important monument.”

Over the night, people have the opportunity to celebrate the Solstice and this includes spontaneous drumming within the stone circle, playing of acoustic instruments and dancing in the performance area. There will be a number of druid, pagan and other spiritual ceremonies throughout the night and especially at sunset and sunrise at various places around the monument, in particular the Heel Stone.

For an idea of what to expect, view the Stonehenge Summer Solstice 2012 photo gallery.

Stonehenge will be open from 7pm on Thursday 20 June to 8am on Friday 21 June. The solstice car park, just off the A344 near Airman’s Corner, will open from 7pm on Thursday 20 June, with last admission at 6am on Friday 21 June.

Access to the stones and the car park is free of charge and subject to ‘Conditions of Entry’ which are published on the English Heritage website http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/summersolstice

Posted on June 5th, 2013 by Editor in Stonehenge
InsideWiltshire: http://www.insidewiltshire.co.uk/2013-summer-solstice-stonehenge-managed-access/

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Stonehenge Summer Solstice Celebrations 2013

1 06 2013

English Heritage is pleased to be providing Managed Open Access to Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice on 20-21 June 2013. Please help us to create a peaceful occasion by taking personal responsibility and following the Conditions of Entry and guidelines set out on these pages. The full Conditions of Entry can also be downloaded from the link at the bottom of this page

We have a duty of care to ensure public safety and are responsible for protecting Stonehenge and its surrounding Monuments. If we are to ensure that future access is sustainable, it is essential that everyone observes and abides by these Conditions of Entry.

Celebrating the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge

Stonehenge is an ancient prehistoric site and has been a place of worship and celebration at the time of Summer Solstice since time immemorial.

During Managed Open Access for Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, we support all individuals and groups conducting their own forms of ceremony and celebration providing that they are mutually respectful and tolerant of one another. It is a place seen by many as a sacred site – therefore please respect it and those attending.

English Heritage continues to work closely with the many agencies and people from all sectors of the community and we would like to thank them for their help and support.

Parking and entry to the Monument will be free, subject to the Conditions of Entry. Please do not arrive at the Solstice Car Park or Stonehenge in advance of the opening times listed below:

Timings for Summer Solstice at Stonehenge

SOLSTICE CAR PARK OPENS 1900 hours (7pm) Thursday 20th June
ACCESS TO STONEHENGE 1900 hours (7pm) Thursday 20th June
LAST ADMISSION TO SOLSTICE CAR PARK 0600 hours (6am) Friday 21st June
STONEHENGE CLOSES 0800 hours (8am) Friday 21st June
SOLSTICE CAR PARK TO BE VACATED 1200 hours (12 Noon) Friday 21st June – see Travel and Parking for further information on travel and parking arrangements.

We hope the weather will be kind and wish you a peaceful and celebratory solstice.