Druids celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge

Stonehenge may be Europe's most famous prehistoric site, but most visitors end up viewing the 5,000-year-old monoliths at a distance from behind a fence.

To get up close and personal with the mysterious ring of giant stones you need to either apply to English Heritage for special permission or turn up at the summer solstice in June or the winter solstice in December.

The midsummer solstice celebrations - which attract around 20,000 people including a sprinkling of devout Druids and pagans - are regarded as a resurrection of an ancient ritual. Throughout the night, samba bands and drummers entertain revellers. As the sun comes up on the longest day of the year, there is joyous whooping, clapping, horn blowing and cheering.