Seven Summer Solstitial Sunrise Sites

1. Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England

Description: Stonehenge, one of the world’s most iconic prehistoric monuments, is renowned for its precise alignment with celestial events.

Alignment: On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone, casting rays into the centre of the circle. This alignment is a focal point for modern solstice celebrations, drawing thousands annually.

Evidence: The alignment is well-documented. English Heritage provides an overview.

Reference: English Heritage - Stonehenge Summer Solstice

2. Avebury (Cove), Wiltshire, England

Description: Avebury, the largest stone circle in Britain, dates to the Neolithic period and includes a complex of monuments, with the Cove in the northern inner circle being a key feature.

Alignment: The Cove is suggested to align with the summer solstice sunrise, with the sun rising in line with its northeastern orientation. While there is some debate, the evidence leans toward confirmation.

Evidence: Research from archaeoastronomical studies supports this alignment, though there is some controversy.

Reference: Darvill, T. (2023). Figures in the Rock? Experiencing the Avebury Cove at the Midsummer Sunrise.

3. Calanais Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Description: Older than Stonehenge, the Calanais Standing Stones (also known as Callanish) form a cruciform pattern on the Isle of Lewis, dating to around 3000 BCE.

Alignment: The site aligns with the summer solstice sunrise and significant lunar events, reflecting its role as a ceremonial and astronomical hub.

Evidence: Historic Environment Scotland confirms the site’s astronomical significance, with solstice celebrations still held today.

Reference: Historic Environment Scotland - Calanais Standing Stones

4. Bryn Celli Ddu, Anglesey, Wales

Description: Bryn Celli Ddu is a Neolithic passage tomb on Anglesey, constructed around 3000 BCE, known for its well-preserved chamber.

Alignment: The summer solstice sunrise illuminates the inner chamber, a deliberate design highlighting its spiritual importance.

Evidence: Cadw, the Welsh heritage organization, and archaeological reports verify this alignment.

Reference: Cadw - Bryn Celli Ddu

5. Boscawen-ûn Stone Circle, Cornwall, England

Description: Located in West Penwith, Boscawen-ûn is a late Neolithic to early Bronze Age stone circle with a central monolith featuring rock art.

Alignment: The summer solstice sunrise illuminates the rock art on the central monolith, with additional alignment to the winter solstice sunrise.

Evidence: The Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network and archaeoastronomical studies confirm these alignments.

Reference: Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network

6. Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, England

Description: Milton Keynes, a planned city built in the 1960s, incorporates a nod to ancient solstice traditions in its urban design. Midsummer Boulevard is the city’s main street, running southwest to northeast.

Alignment: The boulevard is deliberately aligned with the summer solstice sunrise, with the sun rising at its northeastern end on June 20–22. City planners consulted the Greenwich Observatory to adjust the urban grid for this precise alignment.

Significance: This modern “temple to the sun” transforms an urban thoroughfare into a celestial marker, celebrated in the 1970s with bonfires and music. It remains a unique example of solstice-inspired urban planning.

Reference: BBC Radio 4 - How Ancient Civilisations Helped Build Our Modern Cities

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7. Soulton Long Barrow, Shropshire, England

Description: Opened in 2017 near Wem, this modern long barrow, designed by Sacred Stones Ltd., is a columbarium and ceremonial space inspired by Neolithic architecture.

Alignment: The barrow is aligned with the summer solstice sunrise, with its entrance and chambers oriented to capture the first rays of the solstice sun, similar to Bryn Celli Ddu.

Significance: It offers a contemporary space for memorials and solstice celebrations, blending ancient design with modern spiritual needs, and is part of a growing trend of new long barrows.

Reference: Sacred Stones - Soulton Long Barrow