Solstice at Stonehenge - English Heritage
On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone in the north-east part of the horizon and its first rays shine into the heart of Stonehenge. On the winter solstice, the sun sets to the south-west of the stone circle.
Understanding Stonehenge - English Heritage
The Heel Stone at Stonehenge, seen looking north-east through the central trilithon of the three surviving trilithons
What is the winter Solstice? | English Heritage
At the summer solstice, around 21 June, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone and its first rays shine into the heart of Stonehenge. Although the tallest trilithon at the monument is no longer standing, the sun would have set between the narrow gap of …
The Stones of Stonehenge | English Heritage
The Heel Stone. This huge unshaped boulder of hard sarsen stone stands in isolation surrounded by a small circular ditch. It weighs more than 36 tonnes! In 1979, the hole for another similar-sized stone was discovered next to it, which may have been the original position of the Heel Stone.
Summer Solstice 2022 - English Heritage
On the longest day of the year, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone – the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle from the ceremonial avenue – and rays of sun are channelled into the centre of the monument. It is thought that solstices have been celebrated at …
Solstice at Stonehenge - English Heritage
What is solstice and what is its significance at Stonehenge. Find out here with explanatory videos and details of winter and summer solstice celebrations.
Stonehenge Glossary - English Heritage
HEEL STONE. A large upright stone, standing where the Avenue meets the earthwork enclosure. This stone, unlike all the other sarsen stones at Stonehenge, is unworked and retains its natural shape. It may have been an isolated stone that was raised upright in the Neolithic period. It marks the position of the rising sun at the summer solstice.
Stonehenge Reconstructed - English Heritage
The Heel Stone is a large, unworked natural sarsen stone, standing at the entrance to Stonehenge. It may have been an isolated stone that was raised upright in the Neolithic period, perhaps as early as 3000 BC, as shown here.
MEMBERS’ EXCLUSIVE: STONEHENGE SUMMER SOLSTICE 2021
Celebrate the 2021 summer solstice by downloading two exclusive images of the stone circle to use as your screen wallpaper – only available to English Heritage Members. Plus, discover our most famous monument with special interviews, live streams and more.
Solstice quiz - English Heritage
Answer: Heel Stone. The Heel Stone may once have had a partner stone, discovered during excavations in 1979, and the sun probably rose between the two stones. Today it rises slightly to the left of the Heel Stone.