What to do this Summer Solstice

Midsummer - when the days are at their longest and sunniest and the nights are short and, hopefully, warm - is our favourite time of year, at least according to a poll I ran on A Bad Witch's Blog last year.

This year, I am running a poll to find out what we are intending to do for the solstice. The results so far varied, with people saying they will be doing public rituals, private rituals, going to outdoor events, staying indoor with their friends and many just doing their own thing. There is still a little time to vote. To do so, scroll down to the very bottom of the page to find the poll.

If you haven't yet decided what to do for the Summer Solstice, here are a few ideas:

Stonehenge, Avebury and other Stone Circles
Stonehenge, the 5,000-year-old megalithic monument on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, is the most famous place in England to celebrate the solstices. Entry is normally restricted although English Heritage, which manages the site, is expected to provide what it calls "managed open access" to Stonehenge for the Summer Solstice and there will be a one-day free festival near the stones on Sunday June 21. For more details of the festival, visit http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/stonehenge/2009/

If you want to take part in a druid ritual at Stonehenge, there is one on Wednesday 24 June. it is organised by the Gorsedd of Bards of Cor Gawr Alban Hefin. The ritual starts at 4am and entry is by pre-booked ticket only. Tickets cost £2 each. For more details, or to book tickets, visit http://druidnetwork.org/ or http://druidnetwork.org/contact/Cor+Gawr+Tickets.

Avebury, near Marlborough, Wiltshire, a prehistoric stone circle not far from Stonehenge and almost as famous, is probably the second most popular site for midsummer rituals in England.

On Saturday 20 June; Cauldron of Cerridwen is putting on a Summer Solstice Open Ritual at the stones. This is advertised as a family-friendly open ritual starting at 12 noon at the circle. For further details call Sian on 07746365980 or email sian_ap_pysgotwr@yahoo.co.uk. For more details about Avebury, visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-avebury

Many people prefer to visit smaller, less busy stone circles and other megalithic sites. To find out details of one near you, visit the website http://www.megalithic.co.uk/

A City Solstice
Londoners who don't want to venture far can find plenty to do over midsummer near the city.

The regular Summer Solstice on Primrose Hill is running again this year, on Sunday, 21 June, starting at 12:45pm. This is a chance to celebrate Alban Heruin with the Loose Association of Druids and is hosted by The Druid of Wormwood Scrubbs. Meet at The Hawthorne Grove on top of Primrose Hill, Regents Park Rd, London. For more details, email jtmorganhaberdasher@yahoo.co.uk.

The Tribe of Avalon is putting on a Grand Ritual for Midsummer to honour the Goddess of the London river, Tamesa. This will take place at Victoria Tower Park, London, near Parliament. The ritual starts at 3pm on Sunday, 21 June. if you are going, bring food and drink to share, water as an offering and poems and songs about summer. For more information contact the organiser, Drew Galdron, at drewdruid@gmail.com.

Also on Sunday 21 June, there also Summer Solstice Evening Ritual near Staines, including a Litha ritual, party, a Mummer's Play and Eisteddfod. This free open ritual starts at 8pm, but you must contact the organisers to book a place before the event. Call 07889 126311. The ritual and party will take place at an ancient pagan site in woodlands. Bring drink and food to share.

If you want to do something less formally ritualistic, arts and mental health charity CoolTan Arts is organising a midnight summer solstice guided walk on Saturday June 20 entitled From the Madhouse to Modern Psychiatric Hospital. It starts at the Tate Modern and ends the Maudsley Hospital, covering parts of historic London relating to Chaucer, Shakespeare and Dickens. For more information, call 07985 658443 or visit http://www.cooltanarts.org.uk/

Midsummer Night's Dream
A visit to an open-air performance of Midsummer Nights Dream is one way anyone can enjoy a magical summer evening.

This year, Chapterhouse Theatre Company is putting on performances of Shakespeare's famous play in some of the most beautiful country houses, castles and heritage sites in the UK and Ireland. The picture above comes from promotions for the event. If you want to book tickets for a show, here are the dates in June and contact details:

June 19: Cely Woods, Averly, Essex. Tel: 01842 814612.
June 20: Hazeley House, Hartley Wintney, Hampshire. Tel: 01252 842215.
June 21: Porlock Recreation Ground, Exmoor, Somerset. Tel: 01643 863150.
June 27: Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Bedfordshire. Tel: 01525 290333.
For more information, visit the website http://www.chapterhouse.org/main_page.htm

Links
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/06/hilly-fields-stone-circle.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2008/06/midsummer-and-solstice.html
http://www.chapterhouse.org/main_page.htm
http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/stonehenge/2009/
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-avebury
http://www.cooltanarts.org.uk/
http://www.megalithic.co.uk/
http://druidnetwork.org/