Visiting Stonehenge at the Summer Solstice has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember.

When one of my best friends and I booked a girls’ trip to Glastonbury, I realised the dates were just after the solstice. It honestly felt like the universe was giving us a little nudge to add Stonehenge onto the beginning of our adventure. How could we not?

So on the morning of the solstice, I travelled all the way from the North East of England down to Hampshire where she lives. The journey was surprisingly painless until I hit the M25… That’s one thing I definitely don’t miss about living in London – trying to get anywhere on that motorway! Thankfully once I’d escaped that particular circle of hell the rest of the journey was easy.

After dropping my bags at my friend’s house we headed over to Salisbury to catch one of the shuttle buses to Stonehenge.

There were long queues for the buses but they moved surprisingly quickly. The shuttle costs £10 each way so in hindsight it would actually have been cheaper to pre book parking at Stonehenge through English Heritage for £25. We’d avoided driving because we assumed the roads would be absolute chaos around the solstice but they were actually fine. Lesson learned for next time!

Armed with backpacks full of snacks, blankets, extra layers and of course my drum we finally arrived at the site.

The longest queue of the evening was for the security bag check where they were making sure nobody was bringing in alcohol, illegal substances, glass or weapons.

As for me? There was no chance of me trying to sneak alcohol in. I didn’t drink a thing all day, alcoholic or otherwise, not because I was trying to be sensible but because I absolutely hate portaloos. My strategy was simple. Don’t drink, don’t need the toilet. Unfortunately once I break the wee seal ,I pee for England!

I did end up using the loos twice and honestly they weren’t nearly as horrific as I’d imagined. They’re still one of the main reasons I avoid festivals though. Well, that and the crowds.

Speaking of crowds…

Yes there were thousands of people there and although I usually like to place myself out in the wilderness, surrounded by nature and minimal people, I was more than willing to brave the crowds this once for the chance to get up close to the stones.

Summer and Winter Solstice are the only times of year you’re allowed to walk right up to Stonehenge. The rest of the year the stones are roped off unless you pay for one of the exclusive Stone Circle Experiences through English Heritage and that applies even if you’re an English Heritage member.

We arrived just as the sun was beginning to set and found ourselves a little spot to lay our blankets. It was close enough to enjoy the atmosphere but far enough away that we thought nobody would trip over us.

We were wrong, there was a point during the night where a woman stumbled straight across our blankets and stood directly on my drum.

Thankfully the drum survived.

As darkness fell we wandered into the stone circle itself. Finally being able to reach out and touch the stones was incredibly special. There was drumming, chanting, people meditating and people celebrating. It felt unlike anywhere I’d ever been before.

By around midnight exhaustion or old age caught up with us, it’s been a long time since I last partied all night. So wrapped in our blankets beneath a sky full of stars we somehow managed to get a few hours’ sleep.

I’m actually a huge fan of camping, usually with a tent, but there was something pretty magical about sleeping out in the open with Stonehenge only a few metres away. Every time I opened my eyes during the night the stones somehow seemed closer than before.

My imagination? Maybe.

Magic? 100%.

Nature certainly made its presence known too.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m not exactly the biggest fan of creepy crawlies. Thankfully it was too dark to spot any spiders. What we did have however were hundreds of cockchafers buzzing around.

Oddly enough I actually think they’re quite cute. Those fluffy little antennae make them look like tiny fairy bugs… Until one flies directly into your hair.

Ah yes. Becoming one with nature.

Around 4am we both woke naturally as the sky began to brighten.

People slowly started gathering around the Heel Stone waiting for sunrise.

Then it happened.

Watching the sun rise perfectly between the ancient stones is one of those moments that’s impossible to fully capture in words or photographs. There’s a reason people have gathered here for thousands of years. Whether you’re there for the history, the spirituality, the atmosphere or simply curiosity it’s an incredibly moving experience.

It was everything I’d hoped it would be.

Nobody knows for certain why Stonehenge was built and I think that’s part of what makes it so fascinating. Was it a place of worship? A giant calendar marking the changing seasons? A site for ceremonies, healing or something we haven’t even thought of yet? There are plenty of theories but no definitive answers.

Standing there among the stones though, none of that really seemed to matter. There was something incredibly humbling about knowing I was walking the same ground as the people who built this incredible monument thousands of years ago.

Running my hands across the stones they had carefully placed all those centuries ago made me feel connected, if only for a moment, to the ancient wisdom, determination and mystery of those who came before us.

Stonehenge at Summer Solstice had been on my bucket list for years and I’m so grateful I finally got to experience it, especially alongside one of my best friends.

Would I Go Again?

Absolutely.

Despite the crowds.

Despite the portaloos.

Despite nearly losing my drum to a drunken stranger.

That said I probably wouldn’t stay overnight a second time.

If I were to do it again I’d pre book parking through English Heritage, arrive around 3 or 4am, watch the sunrise, soak up the atmosphere for a few more hours and leave when the site closes at around 10am.

But for a first visit?

Sleeping beneath the stars beside one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments was something I’ll never forget.