Stonehenge summer solstice sunrise attracts about 15,000 visitors – BBC News

About 15,000 people have gathered at Stonehenge to watch the summer solstice sunrise.

It is one of the rare occasions people can get close to the stones at the historic site near Salisbury in Wiltshire.

English Heritage has removed the paint with a specialist air blower, but if rain had come into contact with it, there could have been significant damage.

The charity’s historic properties director Kate Logan said: “I think all the people who attended solstice today were just really pleased to come and see the stones looking spectacular. The incident is behind us now.

“We’re really thrilled with how the event has gone this year. We don’t often get such a glorious sunrise but today we’ve been very lucky.”

People come from all over the world to see the summer solstice at the 5,000 year old site.

Tammy McCollam said she had travelled about 5,000 miles from Washington in the US specifically for the event.

“It’s amazing. When I was able to touch the stones, it just felt so emotional, incredible.

“I just felt called to come, this is a bucket list trip.”

The site opened on Thursday evening and there was a crowd for the sunset, with many staying throughout the night to watch the sunrise on Friday morning.

The sounds of drumming and cheers from the crowd could be heard as the sun came up.

Druids and other members of the pagan community gathered too, with the event a spiritual time for many.

Carolyn Pare was one of the visitors and said: “There’s a beautiful camaraderie and energy. It’s a completely moving, spiritual experience to be here.”

Wiltshire Police always has a presence at the event but after the Just Stop Oil protest, Deputy Chief Constable Craig Dibdin said they had immediately reviewed their plans with organisers and were happy with them.

DCC Dibdin said it had been “very safe”, with only been one arrest for a minor assault.

“It’s been a really successful, good humoured event,” he added.

Other places in the West Country also attract solstice crowds, in particular at Avebury, also in Wiltshire, and Glastonbury Tor in Somerset.