The iconic Neolithic monument of Stonehenge forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage site and is rather an incredible sight to behold, its story inspiring awe in the thousands upon thousands of visitors that flock there every year.
Built between 3000 and 2500BC, the Stonehenge megaliths offer incredible insight into our history. We’ve learnt a lot from the area, yet it remains somewhat shrouded in mystery. One of the most intriguing of which is the mystery of its original purpose.
The leading theory is that the original settlers constructed it as an astronomical observatory, tracking the sun’s movements. They realised that, on a certain day twice a year, the sun remarkably seems to ‘stand still’ in the sky. This is the turning point that we now refer to as solstice. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year for those in the Northern Hemisphere, after which the days get progressively longer again.
You’ve most likely heard of the summer solstice, whilst the winter solstice seems to get a little less attention. Interestingly, however, the winter solstice would’ve been of much more significance back when Stonehenge was built.
Our ancestors at the time were hunters. Given the outdoor nature of life during this period, the weather played a huge role in their lives. Food was in much shorter supply over the winter months and the solstice was the last feast celebration before heading into the deep winter. Indeed, thanks to archaeological analysis of animal bones found at the nearby Neolithic settlement of Durrington Walls, it’s believed that this is when our Neolithic ancestors would slaughter and feast on animals born in the spring, so that they wouldn’t need to feed the animals through the winter.
It was also a celebration of rebirth and a time to welcome in the ‘new sun’. Of course, today we’re lucky enough to have much more knowledge about the way the solar system works, so we can be sure that the sun will once again return and the days will get longer. For our ancestors of this time, however, believing that they wouldn’t be left in an eternal winter was an act of faith.
The configuration of the stones themselves suggests the winter solstice’s immense importance. When visiting Stonehenge today, you'll find only one of the stones of the tallest trilithon still standing. Back when it was built, however, the Great Trilithon actually aligned to the central axis. This meant that the winter solstice sun would’ve set directly between the two upright stones when viewed from the centre of the circle. This particular trilithon stood at the head of the inner horseshoe of stones, suggesting the importance the Neolithic people bestowed upon the occasion.
This intrinsic link between the winter solstice and Stonehenge means that the stone circle plays host to what is potentially the most famous solstice celebration worldwide. On the first morning after the shortest day of the year, people of all sorts of backgrounds and religions gather among the stones to witness the sunrise and perform sacred rituals. Visitors aren't usually permitted within the stone circle for conservation reasons, but English Heritage, who now care for Stonehenge, welcome people into the circle to celebrate the special moment of the first sunrise after the winter solstice.
The winter solstice lands on a different day each year but always between the 21st and 23rd of December. Winter solstice 2022 will fall on the 21st of December. If you make the journey from Bath to Stonehenge on the dawn of the 22nd and pay the ancient monument a visit, a joyful atmosphere and a very unique experience will await you.
Find out more information directly from English Heritage Winter Solstice dedicated page.
Find yourself in the centre of the stones and you’ll be immersed in a deep-rooted spiritual celebration dating back millennia. You’ll join locals, spiritualists, historians, environmentalists, tourists and travellers and people from all sorts of religions, not least the modern day Druids and Pagans, as they unite to celebrate.
It’s a celebration that spans the globe, but there’s nowhere better to experience the solstice than Stonehenge, with its unquestionable tie to our history. Revellers sing, dance, pray, play instruments, connect with the stones, do yoga and perform religious rituals as the sun rises over the monument. As the crowd grows calm and quiet to witness the sun emerging, it’s not unusual to feel the celebration is akin to a religious experience. It’s a truly worldly and wondrous occasion.
With a palpable feeling of authentic connection with the earth and its movements, the morning instantly remedies our detachment from nature. It’s a unique chance to glimpse into our history. Stand in the same spot many ancestors before have; welcome in the joyous sunrise that meant so much to them. As you gaze through the stones, watching the sun as it finally peeks up over the horizon, you may find yourself contemplating the mystery of the area and of our histories – how it came to be all those years ago and how you came to be stood here today, taking it all in.
The whole morning is a true celebration of the universe and rather an incredible experience; one that you’ll be sure to retell over and over again. We hope we’ve managed to convince you why you should visit Stonehenge for winter solstice 2022 in this blog. It's well worth a visit, in our opinion.
Of course, visiting Stonehenge at any time of the year is always a worthwhile and wondrous adventure. Why not join us on a journey from Bath to Stonehenge and lose yourself in the mysteries of the area on our Stonehenge & Secret England experience?
Jules & the Team at In & Beyond Bath