Approximately 15,000 people gathered at Stonehenge to witness the summer solstice sunrise. Each year, English Heritage opens the historic site near Salisbury in
Wiltshire for visitors to celebrate the solstice.
This year's event proceeded as planned despite Just Stop Oil protestors spraying orange powder paint on the stones on Wednesday. English Heritage successfully removed the paint using a specialist air blower. However, they noted that rain could have caused significant damage if it had come into contact with the paint.
The summer solstice is one of the rare occasions when people can get close to the ancient monument. Visitors from around the world attend this 5,000-year-old site to mark the solstice. Tammy McCall, who traveled approximately 5,000 miles from Washington, USA, for the event, expressed her awe, saying, "It’s amazing. When I was able to touch the stones, it just felt so emotional, incredible. I just felt called to come, this is a bucket list trip."
The site opened on Thursday evening, attracting a crowd for the sunset. Many stayed overnight to witness the sunrise on Friday morning, accompanied by the sounds of drumming and cheers. Druids and other members of the pagan community also gathered, finding spiritual significance in the event.
Other locations in the West Country, including Avebury in Wiltshire and Glastonbury Tor in Somerset, also draw solstice crowds. Photo by Erwin Bosman, Wikimedia commons.