Summer solstice 2022: Thousands flock to Stonehenge

About 6,000 people watched the sun rise at the ancient monument

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  People gather for sunrise at Stonehenge, in Wiltshire, southern England. The summer solstice on June 21 is the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Getty

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  Thousands of people greet the summer solstice sunrise with cheers at Stonehenge. Getty Images

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  A reveller watches sunrise at Stonehenge. EPA

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  This was the first time members of the public have been allowed to attend the solstice in person since 2019. For the past two years, the sunrise was streamed online because of the pandemic. Getty Images

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  A woman touches one of the stones at Stonehenge. The structures are thought to date back up to 6,000 years. Getty Images

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  It is believed that solstices have been celebrated at Stonehenge for thousands of years. EPA

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  Stonehenge has spiritual significance for many of those attending the solstice. AFP

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  Sunrise over Stonehenge. AFP

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  The solstice cricket match between teams from Sefton Park Cricket Club in Liverpool, north-west England. The first ball was bowled at sunrise, at 4:43am. AFP

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  The sun rises above Glastonbury Tor in Glastonbury, Somerset, south-west England. The Tor is mentioned in Celtic mythology, including myths linked to King Arthur. Reuters

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  Members of Wild Sea Women take part in a Wild Kundalini Yoga class during solstice sunrise in Seaburn, Sunderland, north-east England. Reuters

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  The summer solstice sun rises behind the Liver Building, in Liverpool, north-western England, silhouetting the mythical liver birds that are the symbol of the city. PA

The summer solstice drew thousands of people to Stonehenge on Tuesday morning, after the annual gathering was called off for the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Crowds cheered as the sun rose over the horizon at the neolithic monument in Wiltshire, England, at 4.49am (7.49am UAE).

The prehistoric monument, consisting of a ring of vertical standing stones topped by horizontal stones, was constructed on the alignment of the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset.

On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone, the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle, and rays of sunlight are channelled into the centre of the circle.

Historians believe that solstices have been celebrated at Stonehenge for thousands of years.

The summer solstice takes place as one of the Earth’s poles has its maximum tilt towards the sun, which reaches its highest position in the sky. This ensures the longest period of daylight of the year.

Police said the event at Stonehenge passed off largely peacefully, with about 6,000 people attending and two arrests made.