All you need to know for Winter Solstice at Stonehenge

Thousands are expected to descend on Stonehenge on 22 December to celebrate the Winter Solstice, as the sun rises at 08:09 GMT.

The World Heritage Site on Salisbury Plain, in Wiltshire, attracted 8,500 people to last year's event, which marks the shortest day of the year, with the stones aligning to both summer and winter solstices.

Georgia Butters, head of Stonehenge at English Heritage, said they were "looking forward to welcoming everyone who wishes to experience this unique occasion with us".

If taking a vehicle, visitors must pre-book parking via the English Heritage website. But what else might you need to know?

Speaking at last year's event, Win Scutt from English Heritage explained the winter solstice had always been more significant in the cultural calendar than the summer one.

"This is the time of the year that people in prehistory really revered and it was really important to them," he said.

"We've done excavations near here that show they were killing pigs to feast on in the midwinter celebration. We know that it's in midwinter because the pigs are eight months old, and the sow's farrow in the spring."

Visitors are encouraged "to plan their journeys in advance and make use of public transport wherever possible", said Butters.

The nearest major railway station is Salisbury, and taxis can be booked in advance from there to the monument.

Bus company Salisbury Reds is also putting on special early bus services.

These will run from Wilton Park & Ride, Rollestone, Salisbury city centre, Salisbury Railway Station and Amesbury.

Some also walk from nearby places like Amesbury.

"If driving, you must pre-book your parking space in advance on our website," Butters explained.

It is priced differently depending on the vehicle: £16 for a car or van, £21 for a motorhome and £5 for a motorbike.

The car park opens at 05:15 GMT on 22 December and vehicles need to be gone by 11:00 GMT.

English Heritage says vehicles will be towed if they are parked illegally or causing an obstruction - that includes on the nearby A303 and on public rights of way.

There will be road closures and a one-way system in place, so people are being warned not to rely on sat navs. Yellow event signs will be visible as drivers get closer to the site, marked Solstice – Ticket Holders.

English Heritage is also reminding people the stone circle is a World Heritage site and is sacred to many.

No drugs or alcohol are allowed and people are asked not to touch or climb on the stones as it could damage the rare lichens on them.

The charity has listed prohibited items, including drones, large bags, glass and sleeping bags. The only animals allowed are assistance dogs.

It is recommended that visitors take "sensible shoes" and a torch. The walk from the car park to the stones is more than a mile, or around half an hour.

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