10 places to see in the winter solstice in the UK and Ireland (that aren’t Stonehenge)

The longest night/shortest day is celebrated at the famous prehistoric site, but there are many other atmospheric locations to welcome the returning of the light on 21 December

From the outside it looks like a grass-covered UFO, its curved, chalk-white walls gleaming amid the green countryside. Yet inside is one of the most impressive prehistoric constructions in Europe. Rediscovered in 1699, but only excavated in the 1960s, Newgrange in the Boyne Valley is a Neolithic passage tomb that has been dated to about 3,200BC (older than the Egyptian pyramids) and is so well made it’s never once sprung a leak. But that’s not its most impressive feature – the builders created an elaborate roof box that once a year, on winter solstice (shortly after sunrise on 21 December 2024), allows light to creep into the main passageway and illuminate the tomb chamber for 17 minutes. An annual lottery decides who gets to witness it, but visitors can wait outside and cheer the arrival of the sunlight. If you miss it, they artificially recreate the phenomenon on every tour.
Tickets €18 per adult, or watch it live online

Topics

How to Watch the Ursids Meteor Shower as It Peaks During the Winter Solstice

The astronomical event, which overlaps with the Winter Solstice, is often overlooked because of the winter chill.
The New York Times - 6h
What’s the Winter Solstice? Celebrations, Science, Livestream

Here’s what happens on the longest night of the year—in the solar system and across different cultures here on Earth.
Wired - 11h
A Solstice of the Soul

For his next trick, your cosmic correspondent for the past quarter-century will (try to) retire.
The New York Times - 13h
The winter solstice is almost here, the Northern Hemisphere's darkest day

The winter solstice is Saturday, bringing the shortest day and longest night of the year to the Northern Hemisphere
ABC News - 3d
Northern lights: the six best places in Europe to see the aurora borealis in 2025

Head north, avoid light pollution and seek out high ground – how to plan to see the northern lights. The northern lights lit up the skies across the UK and Europe several times this year, and ...
The Guardian - Dec. 13
7 in 10 Workers Say They Aren’t Paid Enough–but Few Will Job-Hunt in 2025

The majority of Americans think they would have trouble finding a job they want, according to a new report.
Inc. - Dec. 10
Storm Darragh turns deadly in England as fierce gusts top 80-90 mph in UK, Ireland

Yahoo News - Dec. 7
Hundreds of thousands in Ireland, UK without power as Storm Darragh batters region

A man died and hundreds of thousands of people in Britain and Ireland have been left without power as high winds and heavy rain battered the region
ABC News - Dec. 7
Norris fastest as Leclerc gets 10-place penalty

McLaren make a perfect start in their bid to secure their first constructors' title since 1998 at the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
BBC News - Dec. 6