druids, witches and morris dancers gather to see in longest night of winter solstice

About 8,500 people visited Stonehenge this morning to mark the shortest day of the year. (Picture: Reuters/Isabel Infantes)

A huge crowd of people travelled to Stonehenge to mark the winter solstice today,December 21,to mark the shortest day of the year.

Around 8,500 people,many dressed in costume,cheered and dance around the prehistoric structure of large stones as the sun rose at around 8:09am.

They arrived at the old circle of stones at around 5am when the gates opened.

From now on,the days will get longer and there will be more daylight hours. The group of people travelled from far and wide to Stonehenge mark the occasion,which is considered a spiritual experience for many.

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.Stonehenge was built in Wiltshire at around 3,000 BC  and it’s thought it was constructed as a burial ground and as an astronomical calendar which aligns with solstices. Solstices were important dates for farmers.Thousands more people attended this year’s winter solstice compared with 2024. (Picture: Reuters/Isabel Infantes)This morning,people wore traditional dress,brought drums and taught each other Morris dancing.The winter and summer solstices have been celebrated at Stonehenge for thousands of years.One visitor,Sophie McCarthy,travelled from Edinburgh for the occasion,the BBC reported.Morris dancers perform as people attend winter solstice celebrations at Stonehenge stone circle. (Picture: Reuters/Isabel Infantes)‘The winter solstice is all about life returning,the sun has been born anew,’ McCarthy told the BBC.‘I was in the very middle of the stones,surrounded by lots of new friends who were all drumming and creating really magical noise together,spontaneously in the moment.’A person holds a sign during the winter solstice celebrations that reads: ‘Old things make friend’. (Picture: Reuters/Isabel Infantes)Bradley O’Neil,who is visiting the UK from Australia,also told the BBC that visiting Stonehenge was one of his ‘long time wishes’.He said: ‘Today we get to touch the stones and feel the energy. The presence they have,it’s actually fantastic. I feel special,in my heart.’Touching the stones is allowed during winter and summer solstice events. (Picture: Victoria Jones/Shutterstock)The ancient site is managed by English Hertiage. With a standard ticket to visit Stonehenge,you are not allowed to touch the old stones,unless you upgrade to a ‘Stone Circle Experience’ which costs £70 for an adult.On solstice days,visitors are given the rare chance to get up close and touch the stones for free.Last year,4,500 people made the pilgrimage to the stones for the winter solstice,suggesting the event has surged in popularity in 12 months.