Views of Stonehenge
The mysterious circle of standing stones set within earthworks on Salisbury Plain, in southwest England, is one of the most iconic ancient sites in Europe.
The sun rises over the standing stones at the prehistoric monument, near Amesbury in Southern England, on June 21, 2014, as revelers gather to celebrate the summer solstice, marking the longest day of the year.
Stone Circle
Modern druids and people gather at the landmark every year to see the sun rise on the first morning of summer.
Stones
The site of Stonehenge is situated on Salisbury plain in an area of dense prehistoric activity dating back as early as 8,000 BC.
Lintil
The large sarsen stones for which the site is famous were erected during the Bronze Age (between 2600 and 2400 BC), within and amid earlier earthworks, postholes and smaller stones.
Stone Circle
In 1986 the site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it remains the most well-known prehistoric monument in Britain.
A Field in England
A new £27 million visitors center - located about a mile-and-a-half from the stones - was opened in December 2013. The renovations included grassing over the road alongside the ancient monument and closure of the existing 1960s facilities.
Summer Solstice
Stonehenge attracts around 900,000 visitors a year, including these revelers gathering to celebrate the arrival of the midsummer dawn, on June 20, 2013.
Embrace
People hug the stones during the summer solstice dawn celebrations, after druids, pagans and revelers gathered for the Summer Solstice sunrise at Stonehenge on June 21, 2014 in Wiltshire, England.
Sunrise
People gather to watch the Summer Solstice sunrise at Stonehenge on June 21, 2014 in Wiltshire, England.
After repeated clashes with celebrants, police closed the site in 1984. But in 2000 English Heritage (which oversees the site) began allowing limited access to the stone circle, with managed open access on the Summer and Winter Solstices.
Shadows
A picture shows the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge, on July 12, 2012.
Celebrant
Gleu Sunpooja stands in front of Stonehenge as solstice revelers celebrate the arrival of the midsummer sunrise at the megalithic monument on June 21, 2012 near Salisbury, England.
Unicorn
A woman wearing a unicorn mask watches as druids, pagans and revelers gather, hoping to see the sun rise as they take part in a winter solstice ceremony at Stonehenge on December 21, 2013 in Wiltshire, England.
Moonrise
The moon rises over Stonehenge on November 30, 2009 near Amesbury, England.
Summer Solstice
The sun rises behind Stonehenge as revelers celebrate the pagan festival of Summer Solstice in Wiltshire in southern England, on June 21, 2010.
Tourist Spot
Visitors and tourists walk around the ancient monument at Stonehenge on March 2 2012 in Wiltshire, England.
Blossoms
Rapeseed blooms in a field close to the ancient monument of Stonehenge, on April 24, 2012 near Amesbury, England.
Ancient Tradition
Former U.S. Olympic athlete Michael Johnson poses for pictures with the 2012 London Olympic Flame at the World Heritage site Stonehenge, in southwest England, July 12, 2012.
Visitor
U.S. President Barack Obama tours Stonehenge in Amesbury, Wiltshire, England, September 5, 2014.
Silhouettes
Solstice participants wait for the midsummer sun to rise over the megalithic monument of Stonehenge on June 20, 2010 on the edge of Salisbury Plain, west of Amesbury, England.
Winter Solstice
Revelers gather for a sunrise service at Stonehenge on December 22, 2010 in Wiltshire, England.
Winter Celebration
Druids conduct a sunrise service at Stonehenge on December 22, 2010 in Wiltshire, England.
Hundreds of people gathered at the famous historic stone circle to celebrate the sunrise closest to the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.
Snapshots
Revelers take pictures of the sunrise as they celebrate the pagan festival of Winter Solstice at Stonehenge in southern England, December 21, 2012.
Winter
Snow lies on the ground around the historic monument of Stonehenge near Amesbury on January 9 2010, in Wiltshire, England.
Footprints
Footsteps in the snow lead from the historic monument of Stonehenge on January 9 2010, in Wiltshire, England.
Druid
Druids watch the sunrise as they celebrate the Spring Equinox at Stonehenge on March 20, 2009 near Amesbury, Wiltshire, England.
Touch
A woman touches the stones at Stonehenge on December 21, 2008 in Wiltshire, England.
Walk Among the Stones
People wait for the midsummer sun to rise over the megalithic monument of Stonehenge on June 21, 2007 on Salisbury Plain, England.
Generations
Solstice participants wait for the midsummer sun to rise over the megalithic monument of Stonehenge on June 21, 2007 on Salisbury Plain, England.
Ceremony
Revelers enjoy themselves as the sun rises at Stonehenge on June 21, 2006 in Amesbury, England.
Climber of Stones
A man stands on one of the stones as he celebrates the midsummer sun as it rises over the megalithic monument of Stonehenge on June 21, 2005 on Salisbury Plain, England.
Flight
A man jumps in the air from the top of one of the stones to celebrate the midsummer sun as it rises over the megalithic monument of Stonehenge on June 21, 2005 on Salisbury Plain, England.
Sunrise
The midsummer sun rises over the megalithic monument of Stonehenge on June 21, 2004 in Salisbury Plain, England.
Multimedia
Two children look at a computer-generated animation that allows people to stand in the center of the prehistoric stone circle at various historical times, at the new Stonehenge visitors center, near Amesbury in southwest England, on December 11, 2013.
A Turner Sunset
A dramatic sunset acts as a backdrop to Stonehenge on November 20, 2008 in Stonehenge, England.
For more info:
Stonehenge, Wiltshire, England (English Heritage)
By CBSNews.com senior producer David Morgan