In Pictures: People across UK and Ireland mark winter solstice

Ceremonies were held and revellers gathered for the shortest day of the year.

By contributor By PA

Published 12 hours ago

Last updated 12 hours ago

People take part in the winter solstice celebrations during sunrise at Glastonbury Tor in Somerset (James Manning/PA)

Ceremonies have been held across the UK and Ireland to mark the winter solstice.

December 21 is the shortest day and longest night of the year, with London experiencing seven hours and 49 minutes of daylight.

Glastonbury Tor in Somerset is one of the most popular gathering points to mark the event.

In Wiltshire, the prehistoric Stonehenge monument was busy this year.

People take part in the winter solstice celebrations during sunrise at the Stonehenge prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire — People wait for the sunrise (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Arthur Pendragon ‘knights’ a member of the public as they take part in the winter solstice celebrations during sunrise at Stonehenge — Arthur Pendragon ‘knights’ a member of the public as they take part in the Stonehenge gathering (Andrew Matthews/PA)

A person takes a photograph of the stones as they take part in the winter solstice celebrations during sunrise at Stonehenge — The ancient and the modern met at Stonehenge (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Morris dancers perform in front of the stones as people take part in the winter solstice celebrations during sunrise at Stonehenge — Morris dancers perform in front of the stones formation (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Across the Irish Sea, a monument in Newgrange, Co Meath, which is thought to be more than 5,000 years old drew a number of people keen to mark the solstice.

People celebrate the sun rising as they gather for the winter solstice at Newgrange, Co Meath — (Brian Lawless/PA)

People gather for sunrise at Newgrange, Co. Meath — (Brian Lawless/PA)

Tom King, also known as ‘An Gobha’, the Blacksmith of the Boyne Valley, at Newgrange (Brian Lawless/PA)