Solstice @ Stonehenge

[Douzeper]

We are leaving to start travelling the Friday before Glasto. Meeting up with my son and planning on visiting Stonehenge on Solstice, when does everyone go there? I hear there is a party atmosphere at it? is it the Sunday night which is the 19th, or is that date to early? as Solstice begins the 21st?

Help, never been before:)

[tom1989]

You go on the 20th to see the sunrise on the 21st, so the party is on the evening of the 20th/morning of the 21st. It's great fun and would highly recommend it. Word of warning though I went a couple of years ago and saw soooo many people getting arrested/fined for taking/possessing substances, personally I don't take them but if you're into that sort of thing then keep them in the car or something, as they have loads of sniffer dogs and then your glasto stash is no more!!

Edited May 11, 2011 by tom1989

[eFestivals]

The solstice is on the morning of the 21st. You can arrive from around 8pm the night before.

There's a free car park (a field), that's accessed via the roundabout on the A303 on the western side of the stones (the road going alongside the stones is closed for the night, as that's the access from the car park to the stones).

You're 'encouraged' to leave the stones a few hours after sunrise (I'm not entirely sure at what time), and the car park shortly after that. No camping is officially allowed.

There's a great atmosphere, and there's normally some people drumming, fire twirling, etc - but there's no music, it's just a gathering of people.

There's normally loads of old bill around, and while friendly and generally un-oppressive there's normally a few arrests for drugs or whatever - probably more the consequence of those people getting a bit too rowdy and attracting attention to themselves than the police actively looking to nick people.

There's also normally one or two food traders, doing teas etc and perhaps light-ish eats.

That's about all you really need to know. Enjoy.

[Douzeper]

Thanks Tom, thought it must of been the 20th or 21st but was sort of hoping it was the Sunday, oh well looks like I will be going into Glasto bleary eyed:) - caravan with us so be in Glasto on the Tuesday (if they doing that again this year)

Cheers for the tips on the substances! strictly alcohol for me though, to old for that these days;)

[Douzeper]

Cheers Neil - great info thanks!

[Douzeper]

Oh, one more question. I hear there is a campsite nearby that we could book the caravan in, I was told it was called Sandyballs! any truth in that? LOL - or does anyone know one in the local area?

[tom1989]

Oh, one more question. I hear there is a campsite nearby that we could book the caravan in, I was told it was called Sandyballs! any truth in that? LOL - or does anyone know one in the local area?

[lucyginger]

Sandy Balls is in the New Forest so a bit of a trek!!

Best campsite name ever though!

[Douzeper]

Sandy Balls is in the New Forest so a bit of a trek!!

Best campsite name ever though!

[ivan]

There's normally loads of old bill around, and while friendly and generally un-oppressive there's normally a few arrests for drugs or whatever - probably more the consequence of those people getting a bit too rowdy and attracting attention to themselves than the police actively looking to nick people.

My brother Policed this a few years ago. He said the Police were there to mainly make sure the main

road was kept open re parking on road side etc , and to ensure that everything went smoothly. Cos of the paperwork etc its just not worth the hassle .

The year he did it the only arrest was for a drink driver that turned out to be banned , and without tax or insurance . And the only reason he got stopped was he gave a copper some abuse when told he could not park on side of road , copper went to ask him nicely again and smelt drink.

[eFestivals]

There's normally loads of old bill around, and while friendly and generally un-oppressive there's normally a few arrests for drugs or whatever - probably more the consequence of those people getting a bit too rowdy and attracting attention to themselves than the police actively looking to nick people.

My brother Policed this a few years ago. He said the Police were there to mainly make sure the main

road was kept open re parking on road side etc , and to ensure that everything went smoothly. Cos of the paperwork etc its just not worth the hassle .

The year he did it the only arrest was for a drink driver that turned out to be banned , and without tax or insurance . And the only reason he got stopped was he gave a copper some abuse when told he could not park on side of road , copper went to ask him nicely again and smelt drink.

so that's pretty much how I said it was then.

It wasn't like that the first year they opened it for public access - that year they were stupidly paranoid about it becoming a Stonehenge Festival again, and they were searching any vehicle that had what looked to them like a traveller inside it.

[lucyginger]

Plan to leave the caravan and drive over to Stonehenge then go back for caravan next morning (designated driver), how far is a trek?

[Chas]

Plan to leave the caravan and drive over to Stonehenge then go back for caravan next morning (designated driver), how far is a trek?

[Douzeper]

Thanks folks! very helpful

[audio farm]

how many people would you say usually turn up to it?

[lucyginger]

two years ago when I went, they reckoned there was 35,000.

It was a little bit busy.

[SoCalMusicLover]

Give this place a try http://www.stonehengecampsite.co.uk/

It says that the campsite is fully booked for the Solstice but give them a call about their Caravan Park.

[Douzeper]

That's where we're staying. Made a reservation back in February. Very much looking forward to the experience, except for the inevitable lack of sleep.