managed open access | Stonehenge Stone Circle News and Information

Stonehenge Vernal (Spring) Equinox 2014

19 03 2014

An equinox occurs twice a year (around 20th March and 22nd September), when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth’s equator. The exact time of the Equinox this year is March 20th at 16:57 GMT

The name “equinox” is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, the night and day have approximately equal length.

The ‘Managed Open Access’ at Stonehenge for the Vernal (Spring) Equinox, will be from approximately 05.45 am until 08.30 on 20th March 2014.

Parking will be limited and cars will have to be moved by 9:00 am.

• Access to Stonehenge for the Spring Equinox will take place on the morning of 20 March 2014.

• Entrance to the monument will commence as soon as ‘light-levels’ are deemed safe enough to permit. For the past couple of years this has occurred around 0545h however EH would ask that people are patient should the morning prove ‘overcast’ and a slight delay occurs.

• Access to Stonehenge will cease at 0830h and the cooperation of all of visitors in ensuring the monument is vacated at this time would be most appreciated. Please note that, in previous years, access for the Equinox ceased earlier at 0800h, however English Heritage has permitted an additional half an hour within the monument for our visitors.

• Temporary toilets (Porta-Loos) will be available at the monument once the site is open for public access. This includes a provision for those with disabilities.

•The Cafe and Shop at the new Visitor Centre at Airmans Cross should be opening for visitors from approximately 0800h on the morning of 20 March. Please note that the toilets at this location will also become available for use at this time. Although the Cafe will be opening only hot and cold drinks will be available for the first hour. Pasties etc will become available after 0900h.

Link source: http://www.sarsen.org/2014/03/spring-or-vernal-equinox-stonehenge-2014.html
Link: http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/the_wheel_of_the_year/solstice_and_equinox_dates_2010_to_2020.asp

Follow Stonehenge Stone Circle on Twitter for live pictures from the Stones: https://twitter.com/ST0NEHENGE
Follow English Heritage on Twitter: https://twitter.com/eh_stonehenge

Have fun and respect the Stones!

Merlin at Stonehenge
Stonehenge Stone Circle Blog

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Tags: managed open access, Spring Equinox 2014, Stonehenge
Categories : Open Access, Vernal Equinox

Stonehenge Winter Solstice Managed Open Access 2013

14 11 2013

The celebration of the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge will take place at sunrise on Saturday 21 December 2013 (approximately 08:09 hrs).

English Heritage is pleased to be offering ‘Managed Open Access’ for those who wish to celebrate the Winter Solstice peacefully

Visitors will be allowed into the Monument when it is considered sufficiently light to ensure safe access. Entry will be available from approximately 07:30 hrs until 09:00 hrs when visitors will be asked to vacate the site. All vehicles must vacate the area by 09.30.

Access might not be possible if the ground conditions are poor or if it is felt that access might result ¡n severe damage to the Monument.

Toilets are available at Stonehenge for the duration of the access although these facilities will not be available prior to access commencing.

Public car parking will be made available on Byway 12, the old Visitor Centre Car Park and along the A344.

Disabled parking will be in the old Visitor Centre Car Park, and will require a special permit.

TRANSPORT FROM LONDON: Our friends at Solstice UK events are offering their usual transport from London and can be booked here: http://www.stonehengetours.com/html/stonehenge-winter-solstice-tour.htm(mention us for a £20 discount)

New theory of a Winter Solstice Sunrise Alignment – Stonehenge and the Winter Solstice leaflet (ISBN 9780957093010)
(Background on the Winter Solstice Sunrise Alignment theory is here)

Follow Stonehenge on Twitter for Solstice updates and Stonehenge news:

Merlin @ Stonehenge
The Stonehenge News Blog

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Tags: english heritage, managed open access, Stonehenge Winter Solstice 2013
Categories : English Heritage, Open Access, Stonehenge Winter Solstice

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.

Stonehenge Sunset and Sunrise

Sunset and sunrise occur at the following times:

Sunset on Thursday 20th June 2013 is at 2126 hrs (9.26pm)
Sunrise on Friday 21st June 2013 is at 0452 hrs (4.52am)

STONEHENGE LINKS::

Conditions of entry: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/content/imported-docs/p-t/summer-solstice-coe13.pdf
More info: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/stonehenge/summer-solstice/

Follow Stonehenge on Twitter for Solstice News, traffic updates, photos on the day: https://twitter.com/ST0NEHENGE

Merlin says “Please respect the Stones!”

The Stonehenge News Blog

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Tags: english heritage, managed open access, Stoneheneg Solstice, Summer Solstice 2013
Categories : English Heritage, Stonehenge news, stonehenge open access, Summer Solstice 2013, Wiltshire Events

A Pilgrim’s Guide to Stonehenge. The Winter Solstice Celebrations, Summer Solstice and Equinox Dawn Gatherings

13 12 2012

The Winter Solstice Celebrations, Summer Solstice and Equinox Dawn Gatherings

‘The Pilgrims Guide to Stonehenge‘ has been developed as a guide for anyone wanting to visit Stonehenge during the four annual times of Managed Open Access, the summer solstice celebrations, winter solstice and equinox dawn gatherings. Its aim is to provide information for anyone wanting to know more about what goes on and how the quality of the experience can be enhanced through ritual and understanding. As a result, this book focuses on ideas, suggestions and information about what to expect. This pilgrim’s guide has been clearly designed to help the modern visitor to become more of a proactive participant. Apart from wandering freely amongst the stones, much of the information can also be applied to the normal visiting times throughout the rest of the year. Also included is an overview of the historical context, a proposal to reveal the Altar Stone and an examination of how the summer solstice could potentially be developed in the future. Contains over seventy photographs and illustrations.

“The notion of people gathering together under their own terms is in some ways a lost art in Britain outside the confines of major sporting occasions, concerts, weekend shopping trips and nights out on the town. Major royal and civic events could also be added to this list. The festival scene however, has given more alternative gathering a real boost. The nature of celebration is to have a joyous time and it is interesting to note that the United Kingdom has amongst the least number of public holidays in Europe. We work increasingly long hours and stresses of modern living can take a toll on the body, as well as the mind. There is certainly a market for a successful summer solstice celebration at Stonehenge for people intending to free their spirits in a communal gathering at an age-old and identifiable site.”

A Pilgrims Guide to Stonehenge (book review)

Its aim is to provide information for anyone wanting to know more about what goes on during Managed Open Access (Summer Solstice Celebrations, Winter Solstice and Equinox Dawn Gatherings) and how the quality of the experience can be enhanced through ritual and understanding. Much of the information can also be applied throughout the rest of the year. Includes photographs, illustrations, visitor information, ritual guide, historical context, solstice chart and discussion on the future.

This has come from Jim Raynor’s experience of having attended MOA. He felt there was a need for a pilgrim’s guide that enabled the modern visitor to become more of a proactive participant. As a result, this book focuses on ideas, suggestions and information about what to expect. Apart from wandering freely amongst the stones, much of the information can also be applied to normal visiting times throughout the rest of the year. Also included is an overview of the historical context, a proposal to reveal the Altar Stone and an examination of how the summer solstice could potentially be developed in the future.

Search Amazon “Pilgrims-Guide-Stonehenge-Celebrations” to find and buy a copy.
Historical link: https://blog.stonehenge-stone-circle.co.uk/category/pilgrims-guide-to-stonehenge/

Merlin says” This book has been developed as a guide for the modern day Stonehenge pilgrim.”

Winter Solstice updates: Follow Stonhenge on Twitter – https://twitter.com/ST0NEHENGE

Merlin @ Stonhenge