Summer Solstice 2014

SUMMER SOLSTICE 2014
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY AND INFORMATION

Stonehenge is an ancient pre-historic site.  It has been a place of worship and celebration at the time of Summer Solstice since time immemorial.

English Heritage is pleased to  be providing Managed Open  Access to  Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice Please help us to create  a peaceful occasion by taking personal responsibility and following the Conditions of Entry and guidelines set out below.  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.

During the  Summer Solstice access to  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 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:

SOLSTICE CAR PARK OPENS
1900 hours (7pm)  Friday 20th  June
ACCESS TO STONEHENGE
1900 hours (7pm) Friday 20th  June
LAST ADMISSION TO SOLSTICE CAR PARK
0600 hours (6am) Saturday 21st  June
STONEHENGE CLOSES
0800 hours (8am) Saturday 21st  June
SOLSTICE CAR PARK TO BE VACATED
1200 hours (12 Noon) Saturday 21st  June

Sunset on Friday 20th  June 2014 is at 2126 hrs (9.26pm) Sunrise on Saturday 21st  June 2014 is at 0452 hrs (4.52am)


INDEX


SECTION I PLANNING YOUR VISIT:
·    What (and what not!) to bring with you
·    Travelling to Stonehenge
·    Parking Facilities
·    Disabled Access






SECTION 2 ONCE YOU ARE AT STONEHENGE:
·    Conditions of Entry
·    Admission to Stonehenge
·    Facilities
·    Welfare
·    Rubbish Disposal
·    For your Safety
·    In case of emergency




SECTION 3 OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION:
·    Visit Wiltshire Website
·    Local Camping Facilities
·    Tourist Information Centres
·    Stonehenge Summer Solstice Website
·    Stonehenge Summer Solstice Information Hotline
·    Map


SECTION 1 PLANNING YOUR VISIT


In this section:
·    What (and what not!) to bring with you
·    Travelling to Stonehenge
·    Parking facilities
·    Disabled access


What (and what not!) to bring with you

·    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.

·    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/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 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.

·    Please do  not  bring dogs, pets  or  other  creatures   they are  not  permitted  into Stonehenge, with the  exception  of assistance dogs for  deaf and disabled people. Apart from potentially upsetting wildlife and stock in the area, animal faeces present a health risk to children and also to people walking barefoot.

·    Due  to  the  large  number  of  people  in  attendance,  naked  flame is  extremely dangerous and it also 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.

·    The Solstice Car  Park and Stonehenge are  fields.  Therefore  sensible footwear  is essential.

·    Make sure you wear, and bring with you, warm clothing as despite the time of the year the  weather  at Stonehenge can be very cold and damp. 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.

·    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. Please do not bring chairs etc (unless used as a recognised disability aid). Shooting- sticks are  not  permitted.  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.

·    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.

·    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  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.

·    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 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.

·    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.

Travelling to Stonehenge

·    Stonehenge is located approximately miles (4 kms) from the town of Amesbury.
The nearest  bus and railway stations are  in Salisbury, which is 12 miles (19 kms)
away from Stonehenge.

·    A high volume of traffic is anticipated in the  Stonehenge  area  on  the  evening of Friday 20th    June.    The  Summer  Solstice  parking facilities close  to  Stonehenge, although fairly extensive, are also finite.   Although traffic, as you approach Stonehenge, maybe slow, please do not  be tempted  to  abandon your vehicle and park it either  on the  A303 or  other  neighbouring roads  and public rights of way. Cars parked illegally or causing an obstruction will be towed away.


·    As the roads around Stonehenge will be very busy, it is recommended that you leave your car at home and travel to Stonehenge using public transport.   Trains run regularly to Salisbury from London, Bristol/Bath and Southampton and the local bus company, Salisbury Reds, will be running a special service, from Salisbury railway station and Stand U in New Canal to a drop-off point near Stonehenge.  The buses will also stop at any recognised bus stop along the line of the route, which is via Amesbury.

·    This Salisbury Reds bus service is wheelchair accessible and will commence at 1830 hours (6.30pm) on Friday 20th  June and run regularly until 0115 hours (1.15am) on Saturday 21st  June. A service taking people back to Salisbury will start again at 0400 hours (4.00am) and run frequently until 0945 hours (9.45am). The collection point for the return service is in the same location as the drop-off point.


·    The  walk  to   Stonehenge  from  the  bus  drop-off/collection  point  is   miles (approximately kms) - about a 25-30 minute walk and is through the Solstice Car Park  and  across  National  Trust  down-land.    Sensible footwear   might  not  be fashionable but is definitely advisable as the land is agricultural and the route includes some sloping ground.  Although the route  is lit, you may wish to bring a small torch to assist you on this walk (not naked flame though!).

·    To  help you plan your  journey  to  Stonehenge,  further  details on  train  and bus timetables and fares are available from the following links:



For bus service information:


For train information:

South West Trains www.southwesttrains.co.uk Tel: 0845 6000 650

First Great Western www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk Tel: 0345 7000 125

National Rail Enquiries www.nationalrail.co.uk Tel: 08457 48 49 50



·    Generally, it is not advisable to bring bicycles to Stonehenge as they cannot be easily accommodated at the Solstice Car-Park or at the monument.  If you do cycle, please bring your own locking device and park your cycle in the designated areas.   Ask a steward at the Solstice Car Park entrance, or at Stonehenge itself, for assistance.



·    Please also be aware that a number of road closures will be in operation  to ensure safe pedestrian passage to Stonehenge and to allow unimpeded access in the event of an emergency.  As you approach Stonehenge, signage will be in place to direct you to the Solstice Car Park.


Parking Facilities

·    The Solstice Car Park is located close to Airman’s Corner  Roundabout just off the A303, (adjacent the A344/A360 junction) and will be clearly sign-posted.  People will be able to walk to Stonehenge along a designated route  which is a little over ½ a mile (approximately 1 km) – a 15-20 min walk. This route  is through National Trust down-land, so please wear sensible footwear.

·    The Stonehenge visitor centre  car park will be closed to the public for the Solstice access, as will the adjacent road (A344).

·    In order  to ensure that there is sufficient space available for everyone in the Solstice car park, please park sensibly and only where directed by a steward or police officer. This will help us make full use of the Solstice Car Park.

·    There  will be a designated area within the Solstice Car Park for motorbikes  and a limited space for bicycles.  Do not chain or  padlock your motorbike  or  bicycle to any of  the  gates   the  gates  are  for  use  by  the  emergency  services  and  any motorbikes or bicycles causing an obstruction will be removed.

·    For  information  on  disabled parking and access, please see  the  Disabled Access section.

·    Please note that absolutely NO camping or fires/BBQs are permitted  in the Solstice Car Park as these activities can create a major safety risk.  The stewards and security teams will be taking positive action to prevent them happening.

·    If  you  do  decide  to  travel  by car  to  Stonehenge,  please  ensure  you  nominate someone  who will take responsibility for driving home.   Drink driving is illegal and tiredness can kill.

Disabled Access


·    There is dedicated parking for disabled people and their carers.    Should you have a requirement   for  one  of  these  spaces,  please  ask  the  stewards  on  arriving at Stonehenge and they will direct you to the parking area.   There will also be a free bus  service  operating  between  this  designated  parking area  and  Stonehenge  for people who are wheelchair-bound, have mobility difficulties or who are infirm. The bus will be available from 1900 hours (7.00pm) on Friday 20th  June to  0830 hours (8.30am) on Saturday 21st  June. The collection point for this service will be adjacent to  the  parking area.  If  you wish to  make use  of this service, please speak to  a steward on entering the car park.

·    Accessible toilets will be available in the monument field.

·    Wheelchairs will not be provided by English Heritage.

·    Assistance dogs for deaf and disabled people are permitted into the monument field.


·    Salisbury Red public transport  buses travelling from  Salisbury station via Amesbury are wheelchair accessible.

·    Disability aids are permitted for those arriving at the monument field via the disabled transport,  with the exception of shooting sticks.

SECTION 2 ONCE YOU ARE AT STONEHENGE In this section:
·    Conditions of Entry
·    Admission to Stonehenge
·    Facilities
·    Welfare
·    Rubbish disposal
·    For your safety
·    In case of emergency


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 seen by many as a sacred site please respect it and please respect each other.

·    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.

·    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.  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.

·    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.

·    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.

·    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.

·    Camping, fires, Chinese lanterns, Fireworks, Candles, Tea-Lights or BBQs are NOT permitted  at Stonehenge, in the Solstice Car Park, or anywhere in the surrounding National Trust land.


·    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. Please do not bring chairs etc (unless used as a recognised disability aid). Shooting- sticks are  not  permitted.  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.

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 etc.
-    Dogs (with the exception of registered assistance dogs), pets or other creatures
-    Camping equipment, including foldaway chairs, garden furniture, shooting-sticks.
-    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
-    Large “golf-style” umbrellas, gazebos



Facilities

·    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 playing of acoustic instruments.

·    There  are porta-loos,  including accessible toilets, in both  the Monument Field and Solstice  Ca 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.

·    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/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 clearly marked information / meeting / welfare point, close to  the entrance to the Monument.  It will provide experienced, caring and confidential help for all kinds of practical and personal problems.



Rubbish Disposal

·    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.   Do  not  drop  litter.   Please 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 further reduce  the amount of rubbish that goes to land fill and to increase the recycling rates.   So please help us to make this year a cleaner Summer Solstice.



For your safety

·    If weather  conditions leading up to 20th  June are particularly hot and dry, it may be necessary  to  ask people  not  to  smoke.   This will be subject to  advice from the Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service.

·    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.

·    There will be stewards on duty to assist with the smooth and successful running of the Solstice access.  They are also there  to answer your questions so please do not 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.

·    No  unlicensed, non-invited traders  will be permitted  access.   This applies to  the
Monument area, the surrounding landscape and Solstice Car Park.

In case of emergency

·    The South 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 or stewards on duty.

·    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.

·    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.




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.


SECTION 3 OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

In this section:
·    Visit Wiltshire Tourism Website
·    Local Camping Facilities
·    Tourist Information Centres
·    Stonehenge Summer Solstice Website
·    Stonehenge Summer Solstice Information Hotline
·    Map

Visit Wiltshire Tourism Website
For information on accommodation providers in the county of Wiltshire and other attractions/services in the area, please visit the Visit Wiltshire website:



Local Camping Facilities
·    Please remember camping is NOT permitted at Stonehenge, in the Solstice Car Park, or anywhere in the surrounding National Trust land.

·    There are several caravan and/or camp sites within a 10 miles of Stonehenge. Please check availability and entry conditions in advance.


Stonehenge Touring Park
Orcheston,  Nr Shrewton, Salisbury
SP3 4SH
01980 620304
Salisbury Camping  &
Caravanning Club Site
Hudson’s  Field,  Castle   Road,  Salisbury,
SP1 3RR
01722 320713
Coombe Caravan Park
Coombe    Nurseries,    The    Race   Plain,
Netherhampton,  Salisbury, SP2 8PN
01722 328451
Stonehenge Campsite
Berwick Road, Berwick St James, Salisbury,
SP3 4TQ
07786 734732
Brades Acre Camp Site
High Street, Tilshead, Salisbury, SP3 4RX
01980 620402
Honeysuckle Homestead
Camping
Catherine Ford Road, Dinton, Salisbury
SP3 5HA
01722 717887

Tourist Information Centres
Tourist Information Centres for local area are:

Salisbury     Tel: 01722 342860 www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury
Romsey        Tel: 01794 512 987 www.visit-testvalley.org.uk/tourism


Stonehenge Summer Solstice Information Hotline
For further information about the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge, please telephone English
Heritage Customer  Services Solstice Information Hotline on 0870 333 1186.

Map
A map will be posted on the website before Solstice.