Summer solstice sun rises on Stonehenge as thousands watch

Around 23,000 people converged at the UK’s popular neolithic site Stonehenge today to witness the sun rise above the horizon through the timeless stones for its longest day on earth or the summer solstice.One of the wonders of the world, the 17 or so other rock types standing for about 4,600 years in Wiltshire provided a spectacular view at sunrise to the crowd, that included hippies and pagans, waiting for a glimpse of the sun despite cloud in the area. Others also visited the nearby Avebury stone circle amid apprehension that cloud and rain would spoil the view. 

However, some visitors to the Wrold Heritage Site, some 156 kms from here, said this year’s solstice sunrise was one of the best they had seen.The figure was down on the estimated 36,000 who attended last year and the 30,000 expected, but they were able to get a glimpse of the sun after it came over the horizon at 4.52 am.