Stonehenge Summer and Winter Solstice
Brief
For centuries, people have gathered at Stonehenge to mark the turning points of the year, celebrating the changing seasons and the enduring mystery of this iconic 4,500-year-old stone circle.
Today, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Stonehenge continues to attract tens of thousands who come to witness the summer and winter solstices – two of the most significant events on the annual calendar.
English Heritage appointed REM Events to lead the delivery of the Stonehenge Solstice events. The brief required creating a safe, respectful, and operationally robust experience for all visitors gathering to witness this incredible phenomenon.
With the site's sensitivity, restricted access, and the need to balance cultural and spiritual traditions with public safety, the project presented a distinctive operational challenge.
Solution
Event plan overhaul
We began by carrying out a comprehensive review of the Event Management Plan and produced a revised version that fully complies with the Purple Guide, NPSA standards, and English Heritage governance requirements. The planning process also included the creation and management of a detailed budget - vital for such a large event.
Ease congestion challenges
One of the core priorities for us was to significantly reduce car park ingress times as traffic and crowd congestion have long been a concern at the Solstice events. We designed new Traffic Management and Crowd Management Plans to eliminate previous bottlenecks. Contingency plans were established to address any issues that might fall through the cracks.
Strengthen incident response
To ensure clarity and efficiency during any critical situation, we implemented a structured command system based on the Gold–Silver–Bronze model, providing a clear chain of responsibility. We conducted thorough risk assessments and developed contingency plans to mitigate potential hazards.
Collaborative stakeholder engagement
We fostered strong collaboration with agencies far and wide. These included local landowners such as our client, English Heritage, The National Trust, the MoD, Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Police, National Highways and other statutory authorities. We also facilitated stakeholder workshops and worked closely with the Safety Advisory Group to build trust and secure approval for the delivery approach.
Outcome
The Solstice events were delivered successfully and safely, with congestion significantly reduced and the overall visitor experience vastly improved. The site was returned to business-as-usual in record time due to the efficiencies we built into our programme.
Stakeholder relationships were strengthened throughout the process, resulting in an increase in confidence in the management approach. A robust framework is now in place to support multi-year planning and drive continuous improvement for future events.
Our team's knowledge and expertise in managing large-scale events were evident, with positive feedback from English Heritage and statutory partners reinforcing trust in the delivery model - positioning the event for long-term success and continued collaboration embedded for future solstice events.
"Your team did a fantastic job over solstice. Even with the unprecedented numbers, everything on site ran well. In my 8 years being part of the EH management team for summer solstice, I have never seen such a smooth and efficient pack down." — Richard Dewdney, Head of Operations, English Heritage Trust: Stonehenge
