The sun came up over Avebury this morning, marking the summer solstice.

The night passed without incident as hundreds of revellers partied away around the Henge and on the nearby Ridgeway.

Police at the scene said the only thing they had to deal with was someone falling over and banging their head.

More than 300 vans, lorrys and cars crammed on to the Ridgeway path ahead of the celebrations, as numbers swelled due to Stonehenge being closed.

Police closed the Ridgeway off yesterday, but the revellers were undeterred and made their way over fields instead.

Drums and music could be heard for miles around, but the event was variously described as 'awesome', 'super chilled' and 'just amazing' by visiting party goers, dressed in festival gear, glitter and a creative array of hats.

The morning sun was cheered with whoops of joy, singing and more drumming and  was also quietly welcomed by local druids and pagan priests.

Avebury hosts a range of different spiritualities and druids are a diverse bunch, with different groves (groups) emphasising different principles.

"Solstice is a very significant point in our religious experience. It is the peak of the sun, and Druids follow the sun," said Avebury Druid Henk Vis.

"We wish to recognise that by calling the sun up, and we do this by the big stones... they turn pink at sunrise, and it is a very special moment, so we are planning to video that for people that can't come this time."

READ MORE: about druid ceremonies at Avebury last year

The rain held off as pagan priest Gordon Rimes and vicar of Avebury, Rev. Maria Shepherdson jointly welcomed the first rays of the longest day, lighting a peace flame which will stay lit at St James Church in the village. 

While the partying begins to subside, a row is emerging about how the Ridgeway was allowed to be open to so many. 

Parking blocked the road in nearby East Kennett, with people trying to find places to park seen doing three point turns on the busy A4.

Vans, lorries and cars lined the roads, with people walking in the middle of the A4 prompting calls from locals for tighter measures, claiming the Avebury cordon had just pushed the problem to the villages near the Ridgeway. 

Wiltshire Council gave us this comment: 

Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Transport, said:  “Wiltshire Police has closed off the Ridgeway in the interests of public safety and we are working with them to maintain safety measures. Avebury Parish Council requested a temporary closure of the High Street, Avebury from 0600 on 20 June 2021, along with temporary parking restrictions on various roads in Avebury to be put in place from 0600 on 19 June 2021 until 1200 on 22 June 2021. These roads are subject to temporary traffic orders and a residents’ permit system during this time.”