The summer solstice, for many the most spiritual day in the calendar, will take place across the Northern Hemisphere this weekend - at precisely 9:24am (BST) on Sunday morning. Those who really want to celebrate probably won't sleep tonight though - to ensure their eyes are wide open when the dawn of 2026's longest day starts to gently unfold at around 4:45am. Whether you're keen to watch the sunrise or just want to spend the whole day enjoying hours of glorious daylight, Britain's green and ancient spaces are a veritable playground for enjoying the first solstice of the year. Here's our pick of places to enjoy... Stonehenge, Wiltshire Aligned with both the midsummer sunrise and the midwinter sunset, Stonehenge is solstice central Hundreds of people are set to gather at the neolithic site to watch the sun rise - with the tourist attraction free to visit at dawn on the longest dayThousands gather every year at Stonehenge to see sunrise through the centre of this ancient stone circle in Wiltshire. Solstice events at Stonehenge are among the rare occasions when visitors are permitted close access to the stones at the UNESCO World Heritage site.On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone, the ancient entrance to the Stone Circle, with sunlight streaming into the centre of the monument.It is believed that solstices have been observed at Stonehenge for thousands of years - and the atmosphere is always vibrant.As such, visitors flock here every year, enjoying festivities, dawn yoga and special ambience, with images last year demonstrating the truly unique day at the landmark attraction.Castlerigg Stone Circle, Lake District People gather at Castlerigg Stone Circle to celebrate the solsticeCastlerigg Stone Circle, located close to Keswick in the Lake District, is one of the earliest stone circles in the UK, having been erected around 3,000 BC.It is believed to have been an ancient astronomical observatory, as well as a gathering spot for Neolithic and Bronze Age communities - and as such, many people gather on this day each year at Castlerigg Stone Circle with music and street performers. Celebrations start from around midday on the day of the solstice and continue until after dark. The views here are magnificent, making it a great place to visit this weekend. Castlerigg Stone Circle consists of 38 free-standing stones with imposing heights, and admission is free.Shetland, Northern Isles The summer solstice in Shetland and its famous 'simmer dim' are well worth a visitThe famous 'simmer dim' ('the summer twilight') in Shetland is one of the highlights of the annual calendar.At 60 degrees North, the sun barely drops below the horizon, giving nearly 19 hours of daylight here.The orange, blue and gold colours spread across the sky past midnight, and the event holds historic significance too, having been celebrated by Norse settlers in the past.Given Shetland experiences very short winter days, it's even more special, and the occasion is marked by events such as the Simmer Dim Bikers' Rally.Rollright Stones, Oxfordshire The ancient Rollright Stones, a Neolithic stone circle, are also great to visit on June 21While Stonehenge is the big name at this time of year, alternative sites to enjoy the summer solstice provide quieter viewing experiences - and Oxfordshire's Rollright Stones is one of the best.Many Neolithic stone circles, such as this one, are believed to have been constructed to align perfectly with the sun on solstices - and this is no exception.This site is steeped in folklore, and as such is popular among modern-day pagans - as well as those seeking to enjoy the beautiful sunrise at this time of year. Events are regularly held for the summer and winter solstices and other seasonal festivals, and the site - a Dark Sky Discovery Site - is regularly used as a field observatory by the Chipping Norton Amateur Astronomy Group.Glastonbury Tor, Somerset You might associate Glastonbury with the music festival - but there's more to it than thatAnother popular spot is Glastonbury Tor, where many people gather for the summer solstice sunrise in Somerset.The Tor, like many other solstice spots, is linked to pagan traditions, and its high vantage point offers an ideal place from which to watch the sunrise on the longest day of the year.'Daybreak particularly is a special time to gather and many people climb Glastonbury Tor for the Summer Solstice in Glastonbury to watch the sun rise,' Glastonbury Information Centre says.'Being out so early in the half light, hearing the loudness of the dawn chorus and watching the sky lighten or the sun break free of the horizon as the day begins, is thrilling and worth the adventure of being up so early. Make simple head-dresses from twisted and bound grasses and wildflowers to honour the plant world.'Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire is a surprising addition to the list - but hosts a great Midsummer FestivalThe grid system in Milton Keynes was designed to align with the sunrise on the day of the summer solstice - making it a great spot to mark the occasion, as you'll be able to watch the sun rise directly above a main boulevard.Plus, the city hosts a Midsummer Festival, a programme of performances, installations, workshops and activities designed for children and families.This year, you can expect puppetry, an enchanting sound world, an ‘archaeological dig’ and live music.The final parade brings the celebrations to a close, a highly anticipated event in Milton Keynes.Ben Nevis, Scottish Highlands Ben Nevis, which is 1,345m above sea level, is a great hike to attempt on the solstice Where better to celebrate the summer solstice than from the highest mountain in the UK?Hikers enjoy climbing the mountain on this day due to the lack of time pressure that arises from the long daylight hours.Local organisations often mark the occasion, too: for instance, Nevis Range hosts celebrations featuring stunning Highland sunsets and a full day of mountain adventures.Guided walks run by charities are popular on this day and in this area too, making it a great option for a day out.Be warned, though - weather conditions are not guaranteed, so you'll want to be prepared for heat as well as cooler spells. Bryn Celli Ddu, Gwynedd Bryn Celli Ddu (the ‘Mound in the Dark Grove’ in English) is a standout destinationThe 5,000-year-old Neolithic passage tomb known as 'Bryn Celli Ddu' in Anglesey includes a stone cemetery that was important for prehistoric people for thousands of years. It has a special feature, which means that on the longest day of the year, a beam of light is cast down the passage, lighting up the chamber.It was previously a place to hold meetings, dances and ceremonies for several thousand years.Nowadays, it's a popular landmark from which to mark the summer solstice - plus, it boasts free entry for visitors. Old Hunstanton beach, Norfolk Make your way down to Old Hunstanton beach in Norfolk for zen celebrationsDoes a serene beach, healing ambience and 'gong magic' sound like the way you'd like to mark the occasion?If so, head to Old Hunstanton beach, which hosts wellness sessions, sound baths and yoga at this time of year.It's popular among locals and tourists for its sunset gatherings and generally peaceful celebrations. Hunstanton, Norfolk, the only west-facing resort on the east coast of England, has two sides - the Victorian town, and the lively buzzing family centre with a large sandy beach, pony rides, amusements and theatre.Avebury Henge, Wiltshire Better than Stonehenge? The less busy but still prehistoric Avebury Stone Circle is a quieter destination from which to enjoy the eventPeople also gather on the ridge overlooking the Avebury Neolithic henge monument, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as they wait to see the sun rise.It forms part of a vast sacred landscape, and is a site of pilgrimage for those who want to connect with the natural environment.The sunrise casts long shadows over the ancient stones, contributing to a beautiful experience during the summer solstice. This spot gets busy, though, and the National Trust that cares for Avebury does not permit camping, in order to protect the ancient monuments and wildlife.Calanais Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis Head to the Isle of Lewis to see the Calanais Standing StonesThe 'Shining One', a legendary mythological creature, wanders through the Calanais Standing Stones on the day of the summer solstice, according to Spooky Scotland.It adds: 'This may be a folk memory of astronomical alignments or seasonal ritual at the site. Some researchers believe that the "Shining One" might be a reference to Lugh, the bright, shinning Celtic sun-god. Others think this is a personification of fertility from a long-lost ritual.'The 5,000-year-old monument is, as such, a legendary place to watch the sunrise, with many flocking to the region to catch a glimpse of the figure.The main stones form a ring, however there is plenty to explore here, and the landmark is steeped in folklore.