Review: Solstice Fest 2025 and Stonehenge: A Weekend of Magic, Music & Meaning

Visiting Stonehenge has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. And as this is my 50th year, I decided it was time to stop dreaming and start doing.

A quick Google search led me to Solstice Fest—and without second-guessing myself, I booked it before reconsidering. I hadn't camped in years (and vividly remembered why I avoided it), so we chose a bit of comfort and selected the glamping bell tent package. Best decision ever.

As the date got closer, I began to see more and more about the event on social media. And although I was looking forward to it, I’ll admit—I had a wobble. Would it be a little too alternative for me. Would I fit in? I mean, my idea of 'alternative' can sometimes involve changing from black joggers to black jeans.

But any doubt disappeared the moment we arrived.

The Setting

Stonehenge is a good old drive from Nottingham, so I was more than happy when my friend, Michelle, offered to take the wheel. Nestled on the edge of history, the Stonehenge Campsite & Glamping grounds offered the perfect mix of rustic charm and creature comforts.

As the nearest accommodation site to the stones themselves, the location couldn’t have been better. The site had hot, powerful showers (actual bliss), dishwashing stations, and a loo was never too far—which made all the difference for those of us who aren’t quite built for roughing it anymore.

The bell tents were fairly spacious, and already set up when we arrived—so we could dive straight into the magic without the usual tent-pitching drama. The whole site had a grassroots, warm, and welcoming energy, with enough space to unwind, meet new people, or just soak it all in under the stars. The glamping area had a communal tent too, but it was so warm when we visited it rarely got used. Nice feature though. And reader, you could even get a signal on your phone!

Our Glamping Adventure

We stayed from Wednesday to Sunday. Arriving around 1.30pm on the Wednesday, we were personally escorted to our tent, we then unloaded the car. You could drive right up to the tent to unload, which was a blessing. No need to carry your belongings across a field like Buckeroo with a bad back! Parking is then located just outside the fenced glamping area.

Adventure Awaits (or Not)

We decided to set off and explore our surroundings (also known as the noble quest for the local pub). One thing I will say, as we unfortunately discovered, is that the footpaths aren't particularly well signposted outside of the campsite. After a walk in one direction and then the other, we found nothing but some judgmental cows. It was at that moment we realised that maybe our sense of direction wasn't quite as good as we thought. So, with our spirits slightly dampened but our thirst still very much alive (it was a boilng hot day) we decided to head back to camp for the welcome ceremony at the campfire area.

We did then though visit the onsite pub which is situated in 'The Barn' A cold lager on a hot day tastes so much better—it's like a refreshing hug for your insides!

We ended our day, as we did every day following (with the exception of Solstice), around the campfire. The program listed 'Campfire Shenanigans,' Another minor gripe would be that the program doesn’t actually detail what each event is, so there was a bit of guesswork and googling at times.

Every evening ended gathered round the fire with the drummers, this was the true heartbeat of the festival, and a truly relaxed vibe.

Considering it was as hot as Mercury during the day, the temperature really dropped at night, so I'd recommend taking blankets or definitely warm jumpers. Thank God for Michelle having the foresight to pack hot water bottles, because we definitely needed them at night.

The Workshops I Joined (And Loved)

We fully embraced the eclectic mix of workshops. Here are the standout experiences:

Gong Bathing Each morning began with this deeply relaxing sound therapy session. Imagine lying in a peaceful barn as sound vibrations roll over you—it felt like hitting the reset button on my soul. Or maybe just hitting snooze for the fifth time.

Walking Between the Worlds. Michelle’s session explored goddess, mother, and priestess energies across the three realms. Beautifully delivered, it gave me a whole new appreciation for sacred feminine archetypes. Who knew I could channel my inner goddess while still struggling to channel my inner adult?

Pirate Night. A wonderful atmosphere, and a chance for us all to dress up as pirates. that Deliciously chaotic in a good way.

Yoga Whether you’re a newbie or seasoned pro, these outdoor sessions were a great addition to the line up, but warm, very warm.

The Food Vibe

Solstice Fest didn’t just nourish the soul—it fed us well too, with a number of vendors to choose from.

• Corvaglia’s wood-fired pizza? Yes please.

• Spice and Herbs Ltd served up delicious vegan and veggie dishes packed with flavour.

• Castel Catering had coffee, crepes, and doughnuts that made mornings extra sweet.

• Just in Time Juice Bar's acai bowls and smoothies were a refreshing dream in the heat.

• Meditese Authentic Meditarianian -

Bonus points to the organisers for encouraging low-waste living by encouraging people to bring their own cups and plates.

Solstice Sunrise & Stonehenge Coaches

Friday night/Satrday morning was the moment we'd been building up to - Solstice at Stonehenge.

The coaches started at 9 p.m., shuttling us to and from the stones into the early hours. Due to both the way the date fell and the weather, Stonehenge was packed. Approximately 25,000 people had gathered, from all walks of life, and at 5 a.m., standing among them we watched the solstice sun rise over the ancient stones.

It was spiritual, surreal, and more moving than I ever imagined.

Solstice Fest 2025 was more than just a tick off my bucket list—it was a unforgetable experience. It gave me space to rest, learn, to connect, and to remember what it feels like to be part of something bigger.

Whether you come for the music, the mindfulness, the mischief, or the magic—this little festival has a way of giving you exactly what you didn’t know you needed.

If you're even thinking about going in 2026 or 2027… stop thinking. Just book it.

Love Tx