Summer solstice: Thousands celebrate sunrise at Stonehenge
How to keep cool and safe in the heatpublished at 10:32 British Summer Time
As we’ve been reporting, hot weather will still dominate mostof the country today, so here’s some tips on how to keep yourself cool:
Amber heat-health alert remains in place due to hot weatherpublished at 10:10 British Summer Time
An amber heat-health alert is to remain in place for allregions in England until Monday because of the high temperatures we’reexpecting to see over the coming days.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the alert onThursday, warning that “significant impacts are likely” across healthand social care services.
“Our findings show that heat can result in serioushealth outcomes across the population, especially for older adults or thosewith pre-existing health conditions,” says Dr Agostinho Sousa, UKHSA’shead of Extreme Events and Health Protection.
“It is therefore important to check on friends, familyand neighbours who are more vulnerable and to take sensible precautions whileenjoying the sun.”
Three summer solstice myths and the truth behind thempublished at 09:52 British Summer Time
BBC Bitesize
Image source, Getty Images
The summer solstice is the longest day of the year, giving us a chance to take advantage of added sunlight in what is set to be amongst the wettest summers on record.
It is widely celebrated across the globe, but as with any event of cultural significance, the solstice has accumulated many a myth and folktale over the years.
So we’re here to set the record straight, and help you sort the truth from the myths this summer solstice.
Is the summer solstice the hottest day of the year, do some places get 24 hours of daylight today and was Stonehenge really built to align with the Sun on the solstice?
We want to hear from you about the summer solstice and the weatherpublished at 09:38 British Summer Time
Have you been celebrating the summer solstice? Is the hot weather affecting you? Youcan contact us in the following ways:
- Email: bbcyourvoice@bbc.co.uk, external
- WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
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It’s the longest day of the year, here’s a recap of what’s been happeningpublished at 09:21 British Summer Time
Rorey Bosotti
Live editor
Image source, PA Media
The Sun rises over Cullercoats Bay on North Tyneside
If you’re only just joining us, you have missed the main event but no fear – there’s still plenty to come. In the meantime, here’s a quick recap of what’s happened so far on the longest day of the year:
- Thousands of people gathered at Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice and mark the start of the astronomical summer
- Sunrise hit straight on time at 04:51 BST, marking the start of the longest day of the year – here’s a look at when the Sun will set in various parts of the world today
- For those who’ve slept in, don’t worry – we’ve been getting some gorgeous pictures of the sun rising from all over the country for you to wake up to
- If you’re planning a drive, the A303 – one of the main routes in and out of Stonehenge – is closed as the crowd starts leaving. Highway England expects normal traffic to resume between 12:45 and 13:00
- It was a hot night as we enter the fifth day under heatwave conditions – while parts of England and Wales will come under a thunderstorm warning later, it’ll be another day of high 20s and low 30s
In pictures: The Sun rises over Londonpublished at 09:00 British Summer Time
Jamie Whitehead
Live editor
It was an early start for a many of us today as thousands gathered around the country to celebrate the summer solstice.
My co-editor Rorey and I weren’t quite up early enough to see the Sun rise on our way into work this morning, but these pictures of dawn breaking over the capital have made their way to us.
As a reminder, it could be the hottest day in June in six years today, but there are yellow thunderstorm warnings in parts of the country.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Saturday could be the hottest June day in six yearspublished at 08:34 British Summer Time
Matt Taylor
BBC Weather
Although some parts of England and Wales are subject to ayellow thunderstorm warning, as we reported in our previous post, some parts ofEast Anglia are expected to have their fifth day under heatwave conditions.
If we hit 34 Celsius today it will be the hottest June dayin six years.
However, temperatures will have already dropped in NorthernIreland relative to recent days, and as westerly winds gradually develop intoSunday that fresher will reach all by Monday.
It’s conceivable though that some in East Anglia may stillbe above the heatwave threshold on Sunday.
Yellow thunderstorm warnings for parts of UKpublished at 08:14 British Summer Time
The Met Office forecasts yellow thunderstorm warnings for parts of northern England, the Midlands and Wales from Saturday afternoon into Sunday.
While it will be a dry, at times bright start for many, the Met Office’s yellow storm warning will remain in place from 15:00 BST on Saturday until 04:00 on Sunday, with the potential for localised flash flooding, large hail and lightning.
The Met Office says: “The most intense thunderstorms could produce frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds, along with some heavy downpours for a time. This may lead to some surface water impacts in places.”
You can keep up to date with the latest forecasts across the UK in our news story.
A look back at the summer solstice sunrise – in picturespublished at 07:53 British Summer Time
The sunrise this morning was pictured by thousands across the UK as crowds welcomed in the summer solstice – the longest day of the year.
Here is a snapshot of some of the pictures we’ve received so far – and you can send us more on WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630.
Image source, Steve and the team at QECP
Steve sent us this photo of the sunrise from Butser Hill in Hampshire
Image source, Gregory Broadbent
The sunrise at Arbor Low in Derbyshire
Image source, Submitted
Here’s a view of the sunrise from the sky over Stonehenge from a plane at 3,000ft
The sunrise from Corton in Suffolk
Will this be the hottest summer solstice on record?published at 07:39 British Summer Time
Forecasters expect temperatures to peak at around 33C on Saturday but it is unlikely to be the highest temperature experienced on the day of the summer solstice.
That record was set in 2017 at Heathrow Airport when 34.5C was recorded.
Typically while this solstice is the day with the most sunlight, the UK’s weather becomes hotter later in the summer when more heat has accumulated in the air and the ground.
Summer solstice begins as UK heatwave set to continuepublished at 07:24 British Summer Time
Matt Spivey
Live page editor
Image source, PA Media
In Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside, people took an early morning dip to mark the summer solstice
Thousands of people gathered at various sites across the UK this morning to watch the sunset to mark the summer solstice – the longest day of the year.
We’ve been receiving stunning photos of the sky this morning in Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Lancaster, Cheltenham and many other parts of the UK.
Cheers erupted as the sun rose over Stonehenge this morning, with people across the UK heading out to “celebrate the sun”.
The glorious sun rise marked the start of what is set to be another hot day, with temperatures forecast to reach up to 34C and a yellow warning for thunderstorms.
Stay with us throughout the day for the latest updates during the longest day of the year, and do keep sending in your pictures – get in touch on WhatsApp by using 0800 313 4630.
From Somerset to Northumberlandpublished at 06:59 British Summer Time
So many of you are sending through your beautiful photos to us via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630, external.
Image source, Submitted
The sun rising behind the Welsh Dragon at Bettisfield in Flintshire, Wales
Image source, Submitted
The sunrise in Amble in Northumberland
Image source, Kieron Jones
From sunrise from Little Solsbury Hill above the village of Batheaston in Somerset
‘Record breaking crowd’ confirmed by English Heritagepublished at 06:51 British Summer Time
English Heritage has estimated about 25,000 people attended the solstice at Stonehenge this year, with the warm weather helping to swell the crowd numbers.
Julia Richardson, Stonehenge operations manager, told BBC Breakfast they have not had numbers like this for at least the past decade.
She said it was a “perfect combination” of the weather leading into the weekend that brought the crowds out.
“It’s been a lovely, peaceful event with an amazing atmosphere,” she added.
Image source, Reuters
About 25,000 people attended solstice celebrations at Stonehenge this year
The moment the sun rose at Stonehengepublished at 06:45 British Summer Time
Tens of thousands if people witnessed a beautiful sunrise this morning at Stonehenge, in Wiltshire.
This was the moment the Sun made its first appearance, much to the crowd’s delight.
Watch: Crowd cheers as the sun rises at Stonehenge on summer solstice
Celebrate the solstice in Robloxpublished at 06:39 British Summer Time
If you slept in and missed the start of the longest day of the year,don’t worry.
The BBC’s new adventure in Roblox can transport you to Stonehenge,with a game or two along the way.
Solstice is celebrated across the world and now Roblox players can explorea virtual Stonehenge in the BBC’s very own space on the popular platform, BBCWonder Chase.
Inside BBC Wonder Chase, players can take part in a fun mini-gameand learn about the solstice and the prehistoric site.
In English, the word solstice comes from the Latin wordsolstitium, meaning “sun standing still”, and players can see this in action as the sun in the gameslowly descends towards Stonehenge, stopping at the iconic monument at theexact moment of the solstice in the real world.
BBC Wonder Chase on Roblox has seen more than 4.5 million players and hasfeatured everything from Doctor Who to Wallace & Gromit. Last year, playerscould even meet Larry the Cat around the time of the UK general election.
You can check it out here, external – or bysearching “BBC Wonder Chase” in Roblox.
‘He’s my summer solstice boy’published at 06:33 British Summer Time
Sammy Jenkins
BBC News, Live page reporter
One Cheltenham family has been celebrating more than the summer solstice in Gloucestershire this morning – because their son Laurie turns two today.
His mum Rebecca said: “Two years ago, little Laurie made a very quick entrance into the world – my husband delivered him at home half an hour before sunrise.
“He was born at 3.45am and we saw the sunrise with the paramedics in our bathroom.”
She described it as a “magic moment” and said the family now go to Leckhampton Hill, in Cheltenham, to mark the summer solstice every year.
“He’s my summer solstice boy,” Rebecca added.
Solstice celebrated from Salisbury to Kentpublished at 06:18 British Summer Time
More of your images – from Primrose Hill in London to Ramsgate in Kent.
Image source, David Thomson
David Thomson sent in this image of Cottenham in Cambridgeshire
Image source, Duncan and Henry
Duncan and Henry sent us this image of them enjoying the summer solstice at Primrose Hill in London
Sunrise over Douglas, Isle of Man
The sun rising over Tidpit Down near Salisbury
People enjoying the sunrise at Ramsgate Main Sands in Kent
A303 still closedpublished at 06:11 British Summer Time
Sammy Jenkins
BBC News, Live page reporter
Large queues have started to form as people leave Stonehenge in Wiltshire after watching the sun rise.
The A303, one of the main routes in and out of the site, remains closed after vehicles were parked on the side of the carriageway.
National Highways said the road is closed between Deptford and the A345 Countess Road.
“Please follow diversion routes, and take care if you’re making your way to site, including being very alert to pedestrians if you’re driving in,” it said.
More of your wonderful photospublished at 06:00 British Summer Time
We’ve been inundated with your sunrise images from across the UK.
Thanks so much for sending them in via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630., external
Sunrise in Highgate, London
The sunrise in Spalding in Lincolnshire
Image source, Andy
Andy sent us in this image of Langstone Harbour in Hampshire
The top of Uley Bury in Gloucestershire
Days to go until the festival – but Glastonbury has different celebrationspublished at 05:50 British Summer Time
Our reporter Liam McGuinn captured the moment the sun rose over Somerset, and Glastonbury Tor.
There will more celebrations there later in the week when Glastonbury Festival gets under way.
Don’t forget, you can watch and listen to the festival across the BBC.
Solstice crowds cheer the sunrise at Glastonbury Tor
