Summer solstice celebrations at Stonehenge have been cancelled for 2020 due to the government ban on mass gatherings to tackle the coronaviru.
For everyone’s safety and wellbeing, we’ve had to cancel this year’s summer solstice celebrations at Stonehenge.
We know how special this occasion is to so many of you, and we’ll be live streaming it for free online. pic.twitter.com/zMi0NzCmbO
— English Heritage (@EnglishHeritage) May 12, 2020
English Heritage has announced they will instead stream the solstice online.
Stonehenge director Nichola Tasker said: “We are very sorry to be the bearers of this news today.
“Given the sheer number of major events worldwide which have already been cancelled across the summer, from Glastonbury to the Olympics to Oktoberfest, I doubt this will come as a huge surprise, but we know how much summer solstice at Stonehenge means to so many people.
“We have consulted widely on whether we could have proceeded safely and we would have dearly liked to host the event as per usual, but sadly in the end, we feel we have no choice but to cancel.
“We hope that our live stream offers an alternative opportunity for people near and far to connect with this spiritual place at such a special time of year and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year.
“We know how strong the draw to come is for some people, but I would take this opportunity to say please do not travel to Stonehenge this summer solstice, but watch it online instead.”
The popular Wiltshire attraction has been closed since March.
