Winter Solstice Walk
Stonehenge to Salisbury

Monday 21st December - 14 miles / 8 hours

This is one of the classic one-day pilgrimages in the south of England.  The neolithic stone temple of Stonehenge is a draw for pilgrims of all faiths and none and it still exercises its awe and mystery as strongly as ever. 

On the winter solstice, English Heritage opens up the site free of charge for hundreds of visitors to come into the centre of the stones to mark the shortest day of the year.  The arrangement of stones is set up to align with sunrise and sunset on this day.  It's less popular than the summer solstice celebration, so there's a little more space to enjoy this mysterious and captivating neolithic monument.  

It is, however, an early start!  We will meet in the nearby town of Amesbury at 7.00pm and walk about 3km / 2 miles to the stones.  We will spend an hour or so enjoying the atmosphere and enjoying this special place.  We will then head off south into the valley of the River Avon, passing a number of attractive villages and stopping for lunch at the Wheatsheaf Inn.  Next the route reaches the hill fort of Old Sarum, the original settlement from which Salisbury gets its origins.  After exploring this dramatic site, we continue along the river into the modern city of Salisbury and its historic heart, finishing in the Close with its magnificent dominating cathedral.

Return to Amesbury will be by bus.  Please bring a packed breakfast with you.

The cost of this pilgrimage is £45, or £30 for additional group members.  Visit here to book in for this pilgrimage.