Summer solstice 2016: First day of summer brings 'strawberry moon' – but what is the significance of the year's longest day?

When is it?

In the northern hemisphere, summer solstice takes place between June 20 and 22.

This year it's today, Monday, June 20. The sun rose at 4.45am and sunset will happen at 10.34pm. 

The winter solstice (the shortest day of the year) falls between December 20 and 22  in the UK. This year it's on Wednesday, December 21.

Here's a list of the dates and times of solstices & equinoxes this year.

• Vernal Equinox (Spring) March 20 2016 04:30 GMT
• Summer Solstice (Summer) June 20 2016 22:34 GMT
• Autumnal Equinox (Fall) September 22 2016 14:21 GMT
• Winter Solstice (Winter) December 21 2016 10:44 GMT

So the days will be shorter now?

Yes, but we won't notice a difference for a while. The shortest day of the year isn't until December - known as the winter solstice.

The June solstice happens when the tilt of Earth's axis is most inclined towards the sun, directly over the Tropic of Cancer, so that's why we get the most daylight of the year.

During the winter solstice, the Earth's axis is tilted furthest away from the sun directly over the Tropic of Capricorn bringing only a few hours of daylight.

The shortest day of the year lasts for 7 hours 49 minutes and 41 seconds in Britain. This day is 8 hours, 49 minutes shorter than the June solstice.

Read everything you need to know about winter solstice here.

What does 'solstice' mean?

The term 'solstice' derives from the Latin word 'solstitium', meaning 'sun standing still'.

Some prefer the more teutonic term 'sunturn' to descibe the event.

Astrologers say the sun seems to 'stand still' at the point on the horizon where it appears to rise and set, before moving off in the reverse direction.

Why is Stonehenge so significant?

Stonehenge in Avebury, Wiltshire is the most popular place for Pagans to celebrate the longest day because it famously aligns to the solstices. The rising sun only reaches the middle of the stones one day of the year when it shines on the central alter. 

Built in three phases between 3,000 B.C. and 1,600 B.C Stonehenge's exact purpose still remains a mystery. The stones were brought from very long distances – the bluestones from the Preseli Hills more than 150 miles away, and the sarsens probably from the Marlborough Downs, 19 miles to the north.

This year, the midsummer solstice is being celebrated at Stonehenge on Saturday into Sunday and at the Avebury stone circle from Friday until Monday. 

The English Heritage-run site is expected around 20,000 visitors.

Read the Telegraph's Stonehenge visitor guide here.

What's all the fuss about?

The day marks the ancient middle of summer, even though we haven't had the hottest day.

It has significance for pagans who have always believed that midsummer day holds a special power. Midsummer's eve was believed to be a time when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest, and when fairies were though to be at their most powerful.

Over the centuries, the June solstice has inspired many festivals and midsummer celebrations involving bonfires, picnics, singing, watching the sun rise and Maypole dancing. Many towns and villages across Britain still mark the day. 

One ritual was the lighting of fires, heralding the start of shorter days, although this doesn't really happen anymore. The idea was that flames would keep the dark away.

Moonrise over Stonehenge in Wiltshire  Credit: Alamy

It's also a 'strawberry' moon...

For the first time since 1967 the summer solstice coincides with a rare ‘strawberry’ moon and – clouds willing – the 17 hours of sunlight will give way to a bright moonlit sky.

Despite the name, the moon will not appear pink or red, although it may glow a warm amber. The romantic label was coined by the Algonquin tribes of North America who believed June’s full moon signalled the beginning of the strawberry picking season.

Read more about the 'strawberry' moon lunar phenomenon here.

Where can I celebrate the summer solstice?

Stonehenge always welcomes an influx of garland-wearing hippies, druids and curious tourists who head to the mysterious stone circles and wait for the sun to appear. 

Crowds of around 20,000 greet the moment dawn breaks with a mixture of cheers and silent meditation.

Here are some pictures of a previous summer solstice at Stonehenge.

It's slightly quieter at the Avebury stone circle, Britain's second greatest prehistoric site, about 20 miles from Stonehenge. 

In Penzance, the 26th Golowan Festival celebrates the summer solstice from Friday June 17th 2016 until the weekend of 25^th – 26^th.

Revellers enjoying the summer solstice at a cloudy Stonehenge. Credit: Reuters