The UK is waking up to the summer solstice - marking the official start of astronomical summer
Events to mark the date are happening across the UK including solstice swims and the annual gathering at Stonehenge
Thousands of people are already at the ancient stone circle in Wiltshire awaiting the first sight of the Sun
Others are paddleboarding in Kent, swimming in the sea in places including Hornsea and Sunderland
See sunrises across the country now by hitting watch live at the top of the page
What is the summer solstice and why is it the longest day of the year?
Six-year-old Enid is ticking off her bucket list at Ness Point today.
She is at the beach with her parents Kerr and George because seeing the sunrise is one of her dreams.
They left their home in Norfolk at 02:30 BST to get to the beach.
Enid's still in her pyjamas and wrapped up in a sleeping bag ready for the sunrise.
Anna Dudziak from south London has come to view the sunrise on Parliament Hill for the first time.
She’s come with a Polish group called Krok which organises events around the capital.
Anna says: “The summer solstice is a big tradition in Poland, too, where it’s celebrated with people dancing around a fire. It’s celebrated a day after celebrations in the UK.”
Kerry, who lives near Parliament Hill, has also come to view the sunrise for the first time.
“Work life in London can be so hectic but for once I thought to myself let me take a breather and appreciate this day," she says.
Image source, ReutersCrowds have gathered at Stonehenge in Wiltshire ahead of the sunrise.
Some have made quite the effort with their outfits!
Image source, Reuters
Hundreds have turned out at Roker Beach in Sunderland.
Families have been sat with fires since the early hours while paddleboarders and open water swimmers are keen for a dip in the North Sea. Paddleboarder Jayne Glenwright comes to view the sunrise most years and says: “It’s a lovely atmosphere, it’s a view you don’t forget and we’re looking forward to getting out on the water.”
The paddleboarders are arriving on the beach at Joss Bay in Broadstairs in Kent.
Our planet does not spin on a perfectly vertical axis — it is tilted.
This tilt causes the amount of sunlight that reaches different regions of Earth to change throughout the year as it orbits the Sun.
For half the year the northern half of the Earth is tilted toward the Sun.
On the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted most directly toward the Sun, and the Sun appears directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer.
Without this tilt we would still experience weather but not distinct seasons, as the amount of daylight would remain nearly constant throughout the year.
The word solstice comes from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), referring to the apparent pause in the Sun's movement across the sky.
Image source, NASA
Sarah Farmer
Live page reporter, Portland
Good morning from Portland Bill in Dorset.
As Portland Bill Lighthouse blinks its beam of light across the sea, daylight begins to creep over the horizon.
With a starry sky above, and whisps of clouds overhead, an amber glow starts to peel back above the mainland. As the waves lap the shore, solstice morning begins to arrive.
Kaleigh Watterson
Live page reporter, Southport
Good morning from Southport!
Known for its long expanse of sandy beach and its Victorian pier - the second longest in the UK - we're here this morning on the sea front waiting for the sun to make its appearance.
As a proud Sandgrounder, I'm used to people who aren't from my hometown telling me that the sea doesn't come in here. But this morning, high tide is coinciding with sunrise so we'll be able to catch it on camera!
Our video stream is up and running.
The first sunrise, at Lerwick on the Shetland Islands, is due shortly.
Hit the watch live button at the top of the page to see it.
Ness Point in Suffolk is the most easterly point of the UK
The weather looks like it's going to be awesome so we're hoping for some beautiful sunrises across the UK.
Here's a guide of where we're hoping to be - along with sunrise times:
04:26: Roker beach, Sunderland
04:28: Hornsea
04:30: Ness Point, Lowestoft - the most easterly point in the UK
04:37: Joss Bay, Kent
04:39: Peak District
04:41: Southport
04:42: Parliament Hill, London
04:45: Brown Clee Hill, Shropshire
04:49: Derry, Northern Ireland
04:51: Stonehenge
04:57: Portland Bill, Dorset
05:11: St Michael's Mount, Cornwall
Sophie Parker
Live page reporter, Stonehenge
While it’s still dark, Stonehenge is a flurry of activity.
Thousands of silhouettes of people, some in headdresses can be seen. There’s a festival atmosphere with a number of food trucks all lined up and proving popular.
Drumming, clapping and whooping is happening inside the stones - the circle is already full.
People have been arriving since 11pm yesterday to see the sunrise here.
The car park is filling up and people have brought things to sit on. There are rows and rows of cars, vans and caravans. Last year had 25,000 people and the weather is good this year.
Those early enough may even have been treated to Respect the Stones badge - a reminder to not climb on them. There is also a tent full of solstice merch for those wanting a memento.
Some have caught the shuttle buses from the site while others are talking the half-hour walk, torches in hand.
Image source, PA MediaGood morning, night owls!
Welcome to our coverage of the summer solstice which is happening across the UK this morning. It marks the official start of astronomical summer.
The point of the actual solstice, where the northern hemisphere of the planet is tilted at its maximum towards the sun, is at 09:24 BST.
But, many people celebrate the sunrise on the same day. And, wow, does the weather look good for this one!
We'll have reporters out at locations across the country including at Stonehenge, solstice swims in the sea and the most easterly point in the UK at Lowestoft. We'll check in with some of them soon.
So if you're struggling to sleep in this heat we've got the perfect antidote for you - some beautiful sunrises, coming soon.
