Winter solstice celebrated at historic sites

Special access is allowed to the ancient Stonehenge monument during the solstice

Hundreds of people have gathered at Stonehenge to see the winter solstice sunrise.

From 21 December, the shortest day of the year, the nights will slowly start to draw back again and the days will gradually become longer.

The ancient site, which is managed by English Heritage, opened its Monument Field at 07:45 GMT so crowds could see the sunrise over the iconic stones.

The sun rose at Stonehenge at approximately 08:09 and is due to set at 16:02, meaning there will be little under eight hours of daylight.

Although the length of the day in hours and minutes will vary across the UK, the daylight hours will be less than half the length of the longest day of the year, 21 June, which is summer solstice.

The stones at Stonehenge are deliberately placed to line up with the Sun's movements during the two solstices, marking the changing of the seasons.

Because of the connection with the Sun's movement, and due to burials uncovered at the site, it is believed to have played a spiritual role.

Usually, access to the stones for large crowds of people is prohibited, but English Heritage opens up the site for the summer and winter solstices to allow revellers to celebrate the occasion.

The stones associated with the site are thought to have been placed there around 2,500 BC.

Hundreds of people came to the stones to mark the occasion

In nearby Avebury, which is home to another ancient stone circle, two men wearing cloaks could be seen blowing horns as people gathered to watch the sunrise over the fields.

Near the stone circle there is a group of beech trees which people tie ribbons to.

This is a pagan tradition known as "wishing trees", done as prayers to the tree spirits or in the memory of loved ones.

Glastonbury Tor also saw celebrations this morning

In Somerset, Glastonbury Tor also saw crowds of people climbing the hill earlier this morning to mark the sun rising.

The Tor is part of the ruins of the 15th Century St Michael's Church, and rises 518ft (158m) above the Somerset Levels to give a panoramic view of Wells, the Bristol Channel, Wiltshire, the Polden Hills and Exmoor.

It is regarded by some as a spiritual site just like Stonehenge.

At the top of the hill, a fire was lit and songs were sung by people gathered there.

Stonehenge won't see crowds like this again until June 21 2025