Pagans gather for UK Winter Solstice ahead of 'balmy' Christmas weather
The shortest day of the year saw thousands of pagans gather at Stonehenge to celebrate the Winter Solstice.
Druids wearing a dazzling array of robes descended on the Wiltshire landmark as temperatures reached 8C on Wednesday – a far cry from the sub zero conditions across the UK just a week ago.
And despite the grey and heavy clouds that dominated the skyline, around 4,500 people – many dressed in robes – brought enough colour in their clothing to the occasions.
Many of those who turned up came with drums and staffs, while others were seen kissing and embracing the huge stones of Stonehenge.
Winter Solstice is important in the pagan calendar because it marks the "rebirth" of the sun for the new year and celebrations take place for the days starting to get longer again.
And while temperatures were in the single figures, the Met Office says that balmy weather is expected in the run up to Christmas Day – with temperatures set to reach 13C on Sunday.
It follows temperatures of around 14C on Monday this week, after warmer air from Madeira quickly swept into the UK bringing an “extraordinary” temperature rise after days of wintry conditions.
However, the Met Office said that there may be “more widely colder conditions, overnight frost and crisp, sunny days” from Boxing Day and into the new year.
A warmer few days ahead may prove popular with the druids who gathered to watch the sunrise at Stonehenge on Wednesday, which was watched by around 100,000 people online around the world.
Scott Ashman from English Heritage said: "It was an enjoyable and peaceful celebration despite the damp and misty weather and it was great to see so many families enjoying themselves around the monument.”
Royal Museums Greenwich said people visit Stonehenge for the solstice to “glimpse the sun's rays through the stones which are lined up with the path of the sun”.
They added: “While both solstices are celebrated by modern day religions and tourists alike, the ancient civilisation that first built the monument most likely did so primarily for the Winter Solstice, perhaps to request a good growing season in the year to come.”