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Winter Solstice Marked At Stonehenge On The Shortest Day Of The Year (PICTURES)

LOOK: It's Winter Solstice At Stonehenge
The Huffington Post UK

Stonehenge has hosted winter solstice celebrations on the shortest day of the year.

People were allowed access to the ancient stones at sunrise just after 8am.

Chief Druid Arthur Pendragon led the celebrations at the landmark, which recently opened its new £27m visitor centre.

Every year, druids and pagans are among those to gather at Stonehenge in time for sunrise on what is the the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

It has been celebrated in Britain long before the arrival of Christianity.

Winter Solstice
Winter Solstice at Stonehenge(01 of09)
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Chief Druid Arthur Pendragon leads the Winter Solstice service at Stonehenge this morning on the shortest day of the year. (credit:PA)
Winter Solstice at Stonehenge(02 of09)
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Chief Druid Arthur Pendragon leads the Winter Solstice service at Stonehenge this morning on the shortest day of the year. (credit:PA)
Winter Solstice at Stonehenge(03 of09)
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Ian Temple arch druid of the dorset grove dressed as the green man during the Winter Solstice service at Stonehenge this morning on the shortest day of the year. (credit:PA)
Winter Solstice at Stonehenge(04 of09)
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Druids attend the Winter Solstice service at Stonehenge this morning on the shortest day of the year. (credit:PA)
Winter Solstice at Stonehenge(05 of09)
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Chief Druid Arthur Pendragon leads the Winter Solstice service at Stonehenge this morning on the shortest day of the year. (credit:PA)
Winter Solstice at Stonehenge(06 of09)
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Chief Druid Arthur Pendragon leads the Winter Solstice service at Stonehenge this morning on the shortest day of the year. (credit:PA)
Winter Solstice at Stonehenge(07 of09)
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Chief Druid Arthur Pendragon leads the Winter Solstice service at Stonehenge this morning on the shortest day of the year. (credit:PA)
Winter Solstice at Stonehenge(08 of09)
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Ian Temple arch druid of the dorset grove dressed as the green man during the Winter Solstice service at Stonehenge this morning on the shortest day of the year. (credit:PA)
Winter Solstice at Stonehenge(09 of09)
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Chief Druid Arthur Pendragon blesses four month old baby Jim held by father Dan during the Winter Solstice service at Stonehenge this morning on the shortest day of the year. (credit:PA)
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