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 here:
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 andParking for further information on travel and parking arrangements.
We hope the weather will be kind and wish you a peaceful and celebratory solstice.
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)
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
FOR SUMMER SOLSTICE
English Heritage has produced these Conditions of Entry to make sure that everyone can enjoy Summer Solstice at Stonehenge safety. If you contravene any of these conditions it may result in entry being refused or you being removed from Stonehenge.
English Heritage reserves the right to refuse entry.
Stonehenge is seen by many as a sacred site - please respect it and please respect each other.
Stonehenge is seen by many as a sacred site - please respect it and please respect each other.
Admission to Stonehenge
- Admission to the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge is free of charge.
- Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
- Please remember that you will not be allowed access to the Monument with the following items:
- Large quantities of alcohol
- Drugs
- Large bags or rucksacks (or similar items)
- Sleeping bags or duvets
- Flaming torches, Chinese lanterns, Fireworks or candles
- Dogs (with the exception of registered assistance dogs), pets or other creatures
- Camping equipment, including foldaway chairs or garden furniture
- BBQs or gas cylinders
- Glass, bottles or other glass objects
- Trolleys, wheel barrows or any other form of porterage
- Pushchairs or buggies that are not exclusively used for a child
Glass
Glass is not allowed at the Monument as many people walk barefoot and, in addition, livestock and wildlife also graze in the area. If you bring any glass items with you, they will be confiscated.
Alcohol
Drunken, disorderly, and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated. It may result in you being ejected, possibly by the Police and not being allowed back onto the site.
Only small amounts of alcohol for personal use will be permitted on to the site. Alcohol is limited to no more than the equivalent of four 500ml cans of beer/cider or 75cl of wine. No further alcohol will be permitted on subsequent re-entry.
Be warned, drug/alcohol cocktails can be lethal, so please be fully of aware of what you are doing.
Drugs
Illegal drugs are as illegal at Stonehenge as they are anywhere else. The police will be on site during the access period and will take immediate action against anyone breaking the law.
Summer Solstice is not a good time to experiment with drugs - the crowd, the noise and the sheer size of the place are likely to make any bad reaction much, much worse. As much of the access is at night, if you had a bad reaction it may be difficult to locate you to administer treatment.
Music
Stonehenge is a world renowned historic monument and it is seen by many who attend the access as a sacred site. Amplified music is inappropriate and will not be permitted.
Camping and Fires
Camping, fires, Chinese lanterns, fireworks or BBQs are NOT permitted at Stonehenge, in the Solstice Car Park, or anywhere in the surrounding National Trust land. Please see Useful information for further details of local campsites.
Safety
Do not climb or stand on any of the stones - this includes the stones that have fallen. This is in the interest of personal safety, the protection of this special site and respect for those attending. As well as putting the stones themselves at risk, climbing on them can damage the delicate lichens.
In order to ensure personal safety, random searching may be undertaken, but we hope that self-policing and personal responsibility will prevail. Any items that might be used in an illegal or offensive manner will be confiscated.
Personal Possessions
When thinking about what to bring with you, remember your personal possessions are your responsibility and you will have to carry them with you at all times. Therefore, travel as light as you can.
Large bags or large rucksacks will not be allowed at the Monument although small bags and rucksacks (similar size to hand luggage on airlines) will be permitted.
Valuables
Think carefully about what valuables you normally carry and leave all non-essential items at home. Whilst there is a lost property system, the nature of the access means that if you drop or mislay something in the Solstice Car Park or at Stonehenge it might not be easily found or handed in.
If you are bringing your mobile phone with you please keep it safe. Think of the hassle you would have if you lost it, or it was stolen.
Glass
Glass is not allowed at the Monument as many people walk barefoot and, in addition, livestock and wildlife also graze in the area. If you bring any glass items with you, they will be confiscated. This also includes any other objects that could cause damage to the Monument or people there. No plastic bottles will be available for decanting purposes.
Alcohol
Drunken, disorderly, and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated; ejection, possibly by the Police without return, will be the outcome.
Only small amounts of alcohol for personal use will be permitted on to site. Alcohol is limited to no more than the equivalent of four 500ml cans of beer/cider or 75cl of wine.
No further alcohol will be permitted on subsequent re-entry. Be warned, drug/alcohol cocktails can be lethal, so please be fully of aware of what you are doing. As mentioned previously, no glass bottles are allowed on site at any time.
Drugs
Illegal drugs are still illegal at Stonehenge as they are anywhere else. The police will be on site during the access period and will take immediate action against anyone flouting the law. Summer Solstice is not a good time to experiment with drugs - the crowd, the noise and the sheer size of the place are likely to make any bad reaction much, much worse. As much of the access is at night, if you had a bad reaction it may be difficult to locate you to administer treatment.
Fire
Due to the large number of people in attendance, naked flame is extremely dangerous and it infringes local bylaws/regulations and constitutes a potential fire hazard, so please do not light any fires - this includes BBQs, flaming torches, candles, night-lights, Chinese lanterns or fireworks.
Camping Equipment
Camping (including erecting any tented structures), fires or BBQs are NOT permitted at Stonehenge, in the Solstice Car Park, or anywhere in the surrounding National Trust land. Please see Useful information for further details on local campsites and accommodation.
In the interests of safety, sleeping bags or duvets will not be allowed on site. Sleeping on the ground can create a trip hazard especially as much of the access is during the hours of darkness. Also, people asleep on the ground could interfere with the work of the emergency services and hinder their ability to attend an incident.
Small ground sheets and blankets will be permitted for people to sit on. If you do want to sleep during the access period, it is strongly recommended that you either return to your vehicle in the Solstice Car Park or go to one of the public gathering areas outside the Monument.
Music
Stonehenge is a world renowned historic monument and it is seen by many who attend Solstice as a sacred site. Amplified Music is inappropriate and will not be permitted at the Monument, in the surrounding landscape or Solstice Car Park, so please do not bring any sound systems or portable amplifiers.
Acoustic instruments will be permitted.
Clothing and Footwear
The Solstice Car Park and Stonehenge are 'fields' so sensible footwear is essential.
Make sure you wear and bring warm clothing with your, as despite the time of year, it can be very cold and damp at Stonehenge, particularly during the early hours of the morning..
If rain is likely, then bring a small umbrella for personal use. Please do not wear a hi-viz jacket as this can cause confusion with the officials undertaking a safety role.
Animals
Please do not bring dogs, pets or other creatures - they are not permitted into Stonehenge, with the exception of registered assistance dogs. Apart from potentially upsetting wildlife and stock in the area, animal faeces present a health risk to children and also to people walking barefoot.
Close to the Monument, there will be several areas for people to gather, two of which will have braziers provided. Please use the areas for your own enjoyment, such as poetry readings, meditation or the playing of acoustic instruments.
Toilets
There are portaloos, including disabled toilets, in both the Monument Field and Solstice Car Park - please use them!! Do not desecrate the Monument or surrounding land. It's bad for the wildlife and makes the site dirtier for everyone, including you.
Catering
Authorised catering points selling hot and cold refreshments, will be available throughout the access period and these will be clearly indicated. Please do not purchase refreshments from any unauthorised outlets.
There is a tap for drinking water close to the Monument which will be clearly marked. However, there is no similar supply of drinking water available in the Solstice Car Park. The authorised catering units will be selling bottled drinking water as well as other hot and cold drinks.
Welfare
Parents and guardians are requested to ensure that children are not left unattended at any time. Children under 16 will be refused entry unless accompanied by an adult.
There will be a marked information / meeting /welfare points, close to the entrance to the Monument. It will provide experienced, caring and confidential help for all kinds of practical and personal problems.
Disposal of Rubbish
Visitors are requested to dispose of their rubbish carefully at the designated recycling and rubbish points located in the Solstice Car Park and at Stonehenge. Every effort is being made to create a more sustainable, environmentally friendly Solstice.
To help with the recycling process, clear bags will be handed out on arrival and after sunrise. Please do not drop litter - bag and bin your rubbish so the recycling team can collect it. You are visiting a very sensitive landscape which is still in agricultural use - please respect the local farmers' crops and livestock.
All visitors are encouraged to 'think green' and improve on the already successful waste management programme. We aim to reduce the amount of rubbish that goes to land fill and increase the amount that is recycled. So please help us to make this year a cleaner Summer Solstice.
Lighting
The Solstice Car Park will be lit and there will be ambient lighting at the Monument throughout the night. These lights will be systematically turned off as dawn approaches but only when it is operationally safe to do so. Please do not tamper with any of the lighting towers - it can be dangerous.
Stewards
There will be stewards on duty to help with the smooth and successful running of the Solstice access. They are also there to answer your questions, so please don't hesitate to approach them, they are there to help. If you notice anything that concerns you please report it, so that appropriate action can be taken.
In Case of Emergency
The Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust, St John Ambulance Service and Wiltshire Police will be in attendance. If you, or someone you are with, needs medical attention, please seek help from one of the security staff or stewards on duty.
In the unlikely event of an incident that requires the evacuation of Stonehenge or the Solstice Car Park, we would ask that members of the public respond quickly to instructions given by stewarding staff, the Police or other Emergency Service personnel. PA announcements for your safety and information may be necessary during the access period.
If you get lost, or lose track of your friends or children, don't panic. Locate a member of the security or stewarding team. Alternatively go to the information / meeting / welfare point and report the situation to the welfare team.
Traders
No unlicensed, non-invited traders will be permitted access. This applies to the Monument area, the surrounding landscape and Solstice Car Park.
Disclaimer
English Heritage will do everything it can to make your visit a safe and enjoyable experience. However, English Heritage accepts no liability for any injury to persons or loss of, or damage to, property arising in any way whatsoever whilst at Stonehenge or the Solstice Car Park, and entry is at people's own risk.
Although stewards and security will be present at both Stonehenge and the Solstice Car Park, please note that any people entering these areas do so at their own risk.
For further information about the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, please telephone English Heritage Customer Services Solstice Information Hotline on 0870 333 1186.
More details on the EH website
For further information about the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, please telephone English Heritage Customer Services Solstice Information Hotline on 0870 333 1186.
More details on the EH website