We were part of the 'hippie' groups that gather on the drive in campervans around the solstice. A very old friend of mine was going to be there, so we gave it a try. Lovely bunch of peaceful folks.
Heritage England allow 'managed access' from 6.15 to 9am on the equinox, which basically means they allow in anyone who turns up. The druids do one of their ceremonies (too much like organised religion for my liking!) and people just wander around, sit on the stones, hug them, lick them and warch the sun come up.
That's impressively relaxed of Heritage England. So now we know! Once a year (actually I'm guessing four times a year) you are indeed allowed to lick the stones!
The security was massively low key and very pleasant. HE even bussed people in from the main car park.
I would really recommend it for the future. No need to do the full hippie thing in vans, that's optional extra but as we have a van it was something I'd always wanted to do. We had the best view of teh stones from our parking space.
Can't do the van thing at the summer solstice as they close the drove then, presumably die to pressure of numbers. The other times of the year it's like it was last weekend.
(no subject)
Date: 2019-09-27 09:00 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2019-09-28 11:48 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2019-09-27 09:50 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2019-09-28 11:49 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2019-09-28 11:55 am (UTC)Heritage England allow 'managed access' from 6.15 to 9am on the equinox, which basically means they allow in anyone who turns up. The druids do one of their ceremonies (too much like organised religion for my liking!) and people just wander around, sit on the stones, hug them, lick them and warch the sun come up.
It was lovely!
(no subject)
Date: 2019-09-28 11:56 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2019-09-28 12:01 pm (UTC)I would really recommend it for the future. No need to do the full hippie thing in vans, that's optional extra but as we have a van it was something I'd always wanted to do. We had the best view of teh stones from our parking space.
Can't do the van thing at the summer solstice as they close the drove then, presumably die to pressure of numbers. The other times of the year it's like it was last weekend.