When is the Summer solstice and what does it mean?
GET THE BIGGEST STORIES FROM ACROSS SOMERSET STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. SIGN UP Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice  The summer solstice, also known as the longest day of the year, falls between June 20 and 22 every year. This year, the beginning of the astronomical summer season falls on June 21, the same day that the coronavirus restrictions will be eased in England. A summer solstice marks the two moments in a year when the path of the sun is farthest north in the Northern Hemisphere (June 20 or 21) or farthest south in the Southern Hemisphere (December 21 or 22). Heres everything you need to know about the summer solstice, its connection to Stonehenge  and how to celebrate it. This year, the summer solstice falls on Monday, June 21, when the UK will enjoy 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight, with the sun rising at 4.52am and setting at 9.26pm. The solstice marks the beginning of the astronomical summer, which ends with the autumn equinox in September. Both day and night will be almost equal in length as the sun crosses the equator and moves off southward to the northern hemisphere. There are two solstices each year - one in the winter and one in the summer  and the summer solstice occurs when the tilt of Earth's axis is most inclined towards the sun and is directly above the Tropic of Cancer. Derived from the Latin word 'solstitium', meaning 'sun standing still, a solstice marks the movement that the sun stands still at the horizon before moving in the reverse direction. The solstice on June 21 signals the moment the sun's path stops moving northward in the sky. The start of days also become steadily shorter as winter comes closer until the shortest day of the year on Monday, December 21. In contrast to the longest day of the year, during the winter solstice which lasts 7 hours and 50 minutes in Britain, the Earth's axis is tilted furthest away from the sun directly over the Tropic of Capricorn. The summer solstice is 8 hours, 48 minutes longer than the winter solstice in December. Traditionally, the period of the summer solstice was believed to be a time for weddings, celebrations and relaxation, because it fell between the planting and harvesting of crops. The day holds significance for pagans who have always believed that midsummer day holds a special power. Midsummer's eve was also believed to be a time when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest, and when fairies were thought to be at their most powerful. One of the traditional rituals of the June solstice, which is not practiced often anymore, included the lighting of fires, heralding the start of shorter days. Stonehenge in Amesbury, Wiltshire which was built between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC is a popular place for Pagans to celebrate the longest day because it famously aligns to the solstices. The summer solstice which marks the ancient middle of summer is the only day of the year when the rising sun shines on the central altar of the stone monument. Over centuries, the June solstice has inspired many festivals and midsummer celebrations involving bonfires, picnics, singing, watching the sun rise and Maypole dancing. Many towns and villages across Britain still mark the day with celebrations. How to celebrate the summer solstice 2021  Traditionally, a large group of garland-wearing hippies, druids and curious tourists gather at Stonehenge and wait for the sun to appear. Every June crowds of around 10,000 greet the moment dawn breaks with a mixture of cheers and silent meditation, as the sun rises behind the Heel Stone, the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle. However, celebrations were cancelled last year due to the coronavirus outbreak, and there has been no confirmation yet as to whether the festival will be allowed to take place this year. Though large gatherings without social distancing may be permitted if the restrictions are eased as planned on June 21, rising cases of the Delta variant of Covid-19 means that plans for celebrations are still contingent on further updates. Last year, the sunrise and sunset at Stonehenge was live-streamed, alongside a programme of activities including interviews with experts and historians on the symbolism of solstice. Elsewhere, in Penzance, Cornwall, the Golowan Festival which celebrates midsummer every year will return with a trimmed down programme of events. Taking place from June 19 to 28, the festival will be a combination of locally-hosted, safely managed events, videos and live-streamed content. This includes a two-week exhibition in town celebrating 30 years of Golowan, the public display of the schools and community-created parade images as well as live music if circumstances permit.