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12:00 AM 20th June 2024
nature

Summer Solstice: The Best Places To Watch The Sun Rise

Stonehenge - Image by Sally Wilson from Pixabay
Stonehenge - Image by Sally Wilson from Pixabay
On 20th June, the UK will see in the summer solstice and with it, the longest day of the year. Each year the event inspires celebrations across the northern hemisphere, where sun lovers gather to celebrate the marking of midsummer and the sun’s extended visibility. Built with the solstice in mind, Stonehenge is a famously popular location for those looking to view the sunrise on this day, with around 10,000 people attending last year.

However, the crowds aren’t always for everyone, so if you’re looking for a quieter spot to mark the annual event, holiday park operator, Verdant Leisure, has analysed Trip Advisor reviews, weather reports, social figures and distance from car parks to reveal the 10 best, and just as stunning, Stonehenge alternatives that offer the best views of the sun, at the start and end of each day.

This list is compiled of sandy stretches of beaches, and mountainous hills and ruins, covering a vast range of locations, that can be enjoyed throughout the summer season.

Here are the top 10 locations that you should visit for the ultimate sunrise scenes:

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1. Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland


Once an active volcano that now overlooks Edinburgh, the summit of Arthur’s Seat is one of the best literal seats in the house, to witness the beauty of a summertime sunrise or sunset. Boasting a rating of 4.5 on TripAdvisor, and 91,000 location tags on Instagram, the three-mile ascent will give you a chance to take in the post-dawn views of Holyrood Park, Edinburgh Castle, and the Lothians, and makes a fantastic selfie spot.

2. Primrose Hill, London

Formerly a location visited by the Pagans and Druids, Primrose Hill offers panoramic views of London, along with a spectacular show of the sunrise and sunset. With the nearest tube station only eight minutes’ walk away, this is a location that people flock to every year, to witness some of the best dawn and dusk scenes.

With people actively posting their sunrise and sunset moments on social media, this destination has racked up 42.4 million TikTok hashtags and 174,000 Instagram hashtags, making it the ultimate city skyline location to visit.

3. Dartmoor National Park, Devon

A magnificent expanse of hills and moors, Dartmoor National Park in Devon is a special location to catch the first morning light. It’s Trip Advisor rating of 4.5, along with a staggering 91.8 million TikTok hashtags, reflects it’s a favourite amongst walkers and people wanting that outdoors experience. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can take an early morning hike up the Haytor Rocks for an astonishing 360-degree view of the park itself. For a flatter walk, you can venture through many of the fields, encountering the 75 stone rows or 18 stone circles, dating all the way back to the Neolithic era.

4. Ullswater, Lake District, Cumbria

There are several sunspots along the Ullswater Way path in the Lake District, that are peaceful places to take in the first rays of the day. With almost 15 million engagements across social, this spot has become the backdrop to many a sunrise snap.

You can venture to the Memorial Seat viewpoint, only a short 45-minute walk to the summit, which offers breath-taking views across Ullswater and the Helvellyn range. Or head over to the Duke of Portland boathouse, the most photographed location in the Lake District, nestled alongside the great Ullswater lake.


5. Seven Sisters, Sussex

The experience of witnessing the white chalky cliffs turning radiant gold is something you won’t want to miss at the Seven Sisters National Park in Sussex. With views across Birling Gap beach, all the way to the Beachy Head lighthouse, the five-star rated experience is idyllic for any surf and sand lovers who want to take in the fresh sea air whilst watching the sunrise.

Only a short walk from the car park to the cliffs, the national park offers time to enjoy the morning view and incorporate a full day of adventure and activities, where if you’re there long enough you can also catch a magnificent sunset.


6. Mam Tor, Peak District, Derbyshire

For a more determined walk but an ever-so rewarding view, Mam Tor located in the Peak District is the ultimate place for hikers wanting to take in the beauty of the rolling hills of Hope Valley. The grandeur but tranquillity of the peaks, in particular Mam Tor, has gripped the attention of social media, boasting 13.5 million hashtags on TikTok and 145,000 location tags on Instagram.

Known as ‘the shivering mountain’ to locals, this viewpoint is only a 15-minute walk from the car park below, although does embrace a steep trek. A regularly visited spot for sunrise-seekers, Mam Tor offers a spectacular skyline view across the peaks, so remember to have a camera to hand to capture the moment.

7. Malvern Hills, Herefordshire

At an astounding height of 1,394ft, the Malvern Hills portray the perfect sunrise setting for you to enjoy. The Worcestershire Beacon, which is the hills’ highest point, offers striking scenery across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire, which are known for being extremely rich in greenery. Officially recognised as an area of natural beauty, this location is a must-visit for nature and wildlife lovers, which is evident from its 5-star rating, and over 1,000 reviews on TripAdvisor.

8. Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland

Stretching a vast 73 miles, Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland is the ideal coast-to-coast sunrise location across the northern region of the UK. The historical stones built in the Roman period follow a trail encountering places such as Housestead Cragg, which offers a stunning easterly sunrise view.

Other areas you can explore such as Steel Rig, present a more elevated glimpse of the winding Hadrian’s Wall and south Northumberland's rolling hills, or you could even visit the famous tree sitting within Sycamore Gap, looking even more magical with a sunrise as the backdrop. You can see why people are keen to snap photos and videos of the scenery, with this location proudly holding 8.3 million hashtags on TikTok and a rating of 4.5 on Trip Advisor.


9. Belhaven Beach, East Lothian, Scotland

The iconic setting of the ‘bridge to nowhere’, and a beach favourite among many Scots, Belhaven Beach is a small paradise within Dunbar, East Lothian, which is only a short distance from Edinburgh. With a 4.5 rating on Trip Advisor, this is a must-see sight for sunrise seekers who also want to take in views of the coast.

A quieter and more tranquil sunrise setting, the beach offers a breath-taking panoramic view of the sky, allowing you to take in every minute of the sun coming up next to the waves. If you’re lucky enough to be there for the whole day, you can catch the sunset and stroll out to the bridge when the tide is out.


10. Whitby Abbey, Yorkshire

Set atop a hill side overlooking the seaside town of Whitby, the abbey is a 17th century monastery of gothic tales. Famously known for inspiring Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula, bats can often be seen soaring through the Abbey’s ruins.

With a 4.5 rating on TripAdvisor and over 3 million views on TikTok, Whitby Abbey is not only a sunrise hotspot, but a site of cultural and historical fascination. Soak in the sun as it sets on the coastline, while discovering the history of Viking raids, Saxons and more.

Francesca Houldsworth, travel expert at Verdant Leisure commented:
“Along with the excitement that builds around summer, the UK provides so many diverse locations where you can visit to watch sunrises and sunsets. From the tops of mountains to beaches and country parks, we want these moments to be as memorable as possible, so choosing the location that best fits your lifestyle is essential.

“Whether you want somewhere closer to home, or you’re willing to take a road trip, or even a minibreak, make sure to get there with plenty of time before the sunrise, and have a camera to hand to capture the magical moment.”


For more expert information on how to take the perfect ‘sunrise picture’, please visit Verdant Leisure.