Celebrating the Summer Solstice

Simple, thoughtful ways to mark the longest day of the year

The summer solstice, this year falling on 21st June, is the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It's a moment steeped in tradition, joy, and light. For thousands of years, cultures across the globe have welcomed the solstice with rituals, gatherings, and quiet reflection, honouring the sun at its highest point.

In the UK, where the changing seasons mark our calendars as much as our moods, the solstice is a beautiful time to pause, look around, and feel grounded in the here and now. Whether you’re a letter writer, a nature lover, or simply someone seeking a little seasonal magic - here are a few thoughtful ways to celebrate the summer solstice this year.

Catch the Sunrise (or Sunset)

Start the day as many ancient cultures did by watching the sun rise. You don’t need to be standing at Stonehenge (though you can, if you’re nearby!). A local hilltop, beach, or even your back garden can be just as powerful. Take a notebook or your favourite letter-writing paper, and write a few lines as the sky brightens.
Could-do: Send your sunrise reflections as a letter to someone who lives far away - a quiet moment shared across distance.

Visit a Landmark Steeped in Sunlight

If you’re in the UK, you’re never too far from somewhere ancient and atmospheric. Why not make a solstice pilgrimage of your own?

• Stonehenge, Wiltshire - The most famous solstice site. Crowds gather here at dawn to watch the sun align with the stones.
• Castlerigg Stone Circle, Cumbria - Quieter than Stonehenge but just as stirring.
• Glastonbury Tor, Somerset - A place of legends, with sweeping views perfect for a solstice reflection.
• Avebury, Wiltshire - A vast and open stone circle, perfect for picnics and gentle wandering.

Could-do: Pack a flask of tea, a book, and your writing kit - and let the surroundings guide your words.

Write a Letter to Your Future Self

The solstice is a natural time of transition. Why not write a letter to your future self, to be opened at the winter solstice? Capture how you’re feeling now, what you’re looking forward to, or something you want to remember from this light-filled moment.

Make a Simple Solstice Posy

Gather wildflowers or herbs - think daisies, elderflower, chamomile, rosemary or lavender and create a small bunch for your home or desk. You can also press a few petals to use in a summer letter or journal entry.
Could-do: Tuck a pressed bloom into a card or envelope for someone special.

Spend Time Outside (even just a little)

You don’t have to go far. A walk through a local meadow, park or allotment can be grounding. Go slow, look up, listen to birdsong, and feel the season in your step.
Could-do: Bring a letter to post and take a detour to your local postbox - turn a task into a ritual.

Light a Candle at Sunset

As the long day draws to a close, light a candle to mark the shift. This small ritual can help you gently transition into the second half of the year with mindfulness.
Could-do: Write a short note of gratitude for something this season has taught you. Keep it in your journal or slip it into a letter.

However you choose to celebrate the solstice, let it be simple, slow, and seasonal. This time of year invites us to connect with nature, with others, and with ourselves. And what better way to do that than with pen in hand?