Stonehenge
used to be open access to all, in fact not so long ago people barely bothered
with the mysterious rock formation, planted just off the A303 in Wiltshire.
Then the owner of the field in which it sits bequeathed the land to English
Heritage who put a fence around the stones, a turnstile quickly followed before
eventually the multi million pound exhibit you pay to see today was born and.......no
touching the stones. To be fair, souvenir hunters were guilty of chipping bits
off so I guess their intentions were at least honourable and for the good of
preservation.
The summer
and winter solstice celebrations (longest and shortest day of the year) gives
us the rare opportunity to get up close and very personal to the Henge. To walk
around and with-in the Henge (not really a Henge) overnight before
watching the sun rise over the heal stone from the inner circle. Powerful,
mystical and memorable.
We wouldn't
be being honest if we didn't warn you that this is not for everyone. Access to
the stones is made possible because the modern day druids and wizards believe
this to be their religious right. But, its success does mean that crowds of
between 18000-35000 converge on the site, some for the experience but most for
the party (The Glastonbury festival follows close after the Summer solstice and
is 'en route').
There are
many police and security on hand and, when I did it, I never felt threatened,
just irritated. Arrests for minor drug offences are common as are people
calling you 'dude' and telling you they love you.
We will
pick you up from your home or hotel and transport you in comfort to a
pub/restaurant of your choice close to the site. Wellington boots and
torches are needed for the 15 minute walk to the stones from the vehicle
(please note this is over a field and it could be wet...haha did you think
summer meant summer?) Head towards the music, drumming and festival noise where
we dance until dawn (dancing is optional).
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