People came to celebrate the winter solstice at the Stonehenge prehistoric monument in Wiltshire
By Sammy Jenkins , Dan O’Brien & Karen Gardner
BBC News, Wiltshire
Crowds have gathered at Stonehenge to welcome the sunrise for this year’s winter solstice.
Marking the shortest day and the longest night of the year, the sun rose at 08:09 GMT and will set at 16:02 GMT on Friday.
In the northern hemisphere, the Earth’s axis is tilted at its furthest point from the sun today.
The solstice is one of the key occasions where English Heritage allow people near to the stones.
Image source, Ben Birchall/PA
The solstice is one of the key occasions where English Heritage allow people near to the stones
Image source, Ben Birchall/PA
Crowds started to gathering in the early morning to watch the sun rise at Stonehenge
Celebrated by cultures all over the world for thousands of year, the winter solstice is also known as Yule, a celebration of light and the symbolic rebirth of the sun.
Hundreds turned up to watch the run rise, with Stonehenge’s car park at full capacity
Image source, Ben Birchall/PA
Celebrations took place at the World Heritage site, Stonehenge
Wiltshire Police said nearby roads were “extremely busy” due to people gathering to mark the occasion and the English Heritage site’s car park had “reached full capacity”.
It asked motorists to seek alternative routes and said delays were expected for the duration of the morning.
Image source, Ben Birchall/PA
The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year
Image source, Ben Birchall/PA
Winter Solstice is the 24-hour period with the fewest hours of daylight in the year
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