As the sun rises on June 20, the longest day of the year, make the most of the midsummer magic!
WORDS: JANEY SWANSON
Light Up The Night
Follow in the footsteps of our ancestors by dancing around a bonfire as the solstice sun sets. Alternatively, for a quieter solstice celebration, toast marshmallows over a campfire!
Wild-glamping site Denis Arbon Caradon Woods offers exclusive use of a riverside meadow and ancient woodland, complete with a river for swimming, for groups of 20 staying in pre-pitched tents – and bonfires are allowed. From £40 per person at hipcamp.com.
Sleep Under The Stars
According to the outdoor holiday experts at Hipcamp, happiness is a night in a hammock! With the moon and stars watching over you as the hammock gently lulls you to sleep, the sun’s rays will gently awaken you as the solstice dawn breaks on the horizon.
Wild Hammock Camping in Mid Wales offers an ideal introduction to “wild sleeping” (also known as sleeping outside without a tent!) as host Chris provides hammocks, firewood and drinking water in a secluded private woodland with a brook running through it.
From £40 a night for up to six wild sleepers. For more information go to hipcamp.com.
Begin The Day The Happy Way
“What you do in the morning sets your mood for the rest of the day,” says Judith Walker, who runs an online laughter yoga group for members of u3a.
“As soon as you open your eyes, smile – even if you don’t feel like it.”
To continue the positive vibe, Judith recommends treating laughter as an exercise.
“Take a deep breath in, open your mouth wide, smile and make laughing noises – and the pretend laughter will soon turn into real laughter,” she says. “Gradually increase the volume, wave your arms and pretend you’re dancing round a stone circle, celebrating the solstice.”
Visit u3a.org.uk/join.
Here Comes The Sun
Stonehenge has long been the place to go to welcome the summer solstice – and it’s now possible to watch the sun shine into this ancient site online. However, Stonehenge isn’t the UK’s only circle of standing stones where you can welcome the longest day of the year.
Machrie Moor Standing Stones on the Isle of Arran, Castlerigg in Cumbria, Avebury Henge in Wiltshire and the Duddo Stones in Northumberland were all ere
