English Heritage will once again welcome people to Stonehenge to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Sunrise is just after 8am on Wednesday 21st December and visitors will be able to access the monument as soon as it is light enough to do so safely. Please read the information below before planning your visit.
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PRACTICAL INFORMATION
DATE AND TIMINGS
WEDNESDAY 21 DECEMBER 2016
MONUMENT FIELD OPENS: 07.45am (approximately, depending on light levels)
MONUMENT FIELD CLOSES: 10am
MONUMENT FIELD OPENS: 07.45am (approximately, depending on light levels)
MONUMENT FIELD CLOSES: 10am
Please note, access to Stonehenge for Winter Solstice is free. Parking charges apply.
GETTING HERE
Parking for Winter Solstice is very limited and we cannot guarantee that you will be able to park near to Stonehenge. If you are planning to travel by car, wherever you park there may be a 30-minute walk to the Monument. We strongly recommend car sharing or using public transport.
Car Sharing - Request or offer a lift to Solstice at Stonehenge
Travel by bus - Salisbury Reds buses will be running from 06:30 from Salisbury (New Canal, Stop U and Salisbury Rail Station). Check timetable.
Blue Badge Parking - Blue badge parking is in the visitor centre car park and permits must be booked in advance. There is accessible transport to the monument field from the visitor centre beginning at approximately 6.30am. Permits available from Solstice.Stonehenge@english-heritage.org.uk
Parking and parking charges Limited parking is available in the winter solstice car parks, which will open at 5.30am on the 21st December.
As you approach Stonehenge, there will be signs to direct you to the car park - please ensure that you follow these. Please do not arrive early as there is no waiting on the roads in the area and you will be moved on.
Parking may involve a shuttle journey to the visitor centre and wherever you park there may be a 30-minute walk.
- Cars, private hire minibusses and live-in vehicles £5
- Motorbikes £2
- Commercial coaches £50
The car parking charge is designed to encourage people to car share and will help the charity offset the costs of providing additional staffing and lighting in the car parks.
Please note, car parking charges apply to all users of the Winter Solstice car parks, including Blue Badge holders, and members of English Heritage and National Trust.
Motorists have access to a park and ride shuttle from the off-site solstice car parking to the visitor centre. A shuttle will also be provided between the visitor centre and Stonehenge, however visitors are asked to note that disabled people have priority on this bus and should therefore be prepared for a 30-minute walk, in low light, from parking areas to the monument.
We cannot guarantee entry to the car parks and recommend coming by public transport as cars will be turned away when the car parks are full.
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY FOR WINTER SOLSTICE 2016
Stonehenge is an ancient prehistoric site which is likely to have been a place of worship and celebration at the time of Winter Solstice for thousands of years and is seen by many as a sacred site.
English Heritage is pleased to provide free Managed Open Access to Stonehenge for Winter Solstice and ask that if you are planning to join us for this peaceful and special occasion that you read these Conditions of Entry and the information provided on the following pages before deciding whether to come.
Admission to the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge is free of charge. Parking charges apply.
Please help us to create a peaceful occasion by taking personal responsibility and following the Conditions of Entry and guidelines. We have a duty of care to ensure public safety and are responsible for the protection of 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.
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
These Conditions of Entry are written to ensure enjoyment and public safety for everyone. Contravention of any of these conditions may result in entry being refused or your removal from Stonehenge. English Heritage reserves the right to refuse entry.
Stonehenge is a world renowned historic Monument and part of a World Heritage Site. It is seen by many who attend as a sacred place. Please respect it and please respect each other.
Amplified Music is inappropriate and will not be permitted.
Drunken, disorderly, and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated; ejection, by security staff and/or Police, without return, will be the outcome.
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 breaking the law.
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.
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.
Camping, fires, Chinese lanterns, Fireworks, Candles, Tea-Lights or BBQs are NOT permitted at Stonehenge, in the parking areas, or anywhere in the surrounding National Trust land.
Do not bring drones or any type of remote-controlled aircraft to Stonehenge. If you attempt to fly a drone from anywhere on site, including the Solstice Car Park, you will be stopped and asked to leave.
For traffic, weather and other updates on the morning of solstice, please follow @eh_stonehenge and #wintersolsticeSH on Twitter.
For practical information, please read Your Guide to Attending Winter Solstice at Stonehenge.
For further information about Managed Open Access for Winter Solstice at Stonehenge, please call English Heritage Customer Services Solstice Information Hotline on 0370 333 1181.
COME PREPARED
Stonehenge is in a field on Salisbury Plain and the weather in December will be cold and may be wet and windy. Even if it isn't raining, the ground will be wet from the dew. There may also be frost.
Please be prepared for a 30 minute walk (in low light or darkness), from the bus drop off and from parking areas to the monument. You are strongly advised to wear warm and waterproof clothing and footwear and bring a torch with you.
Toilets at the Monument Field will only be available once the access period begins. There are no catering facilities in the monument field, however the café at the visitor centre is open for hot drinks and breakfast rolls from 5am.
Please note that there are no other amenities or facilities available to visitors until the Monument Field opens.
