This year’s summer solstice will fall on the 21st of June, with Brits across the country enjoying barbeques, drinks with friends, or a stroll in the sunshine to make the most of the longest day of 2023.
To help holidaymakers find the perfect staycation spot this summer, Sykes Holiday Cottages has rounded up a collection of properties located near some of the country’s most famous historical stone monuments and landscapes to visit, including Stonehenge in Somerset and Bryn Celli Ddu in Anglesey.
From a cosy cottage on a working farm in Wiltshire to a beautiful barn conversion in Somerset, these are ideal spots for those looking to watch the sun rise or set this June.
To book one of these breaks, visit www.sykescottages.co.uk or call 01244 617683.
Gorrie’s Lair – Spean Bridge, Fort William
Sleeps: Four
Price: Seven nights from £849
Gorrie’s Lair is located in the quaint village of Spean Bridge, positioned near to Fort William in Scotland.
Home to a well-equipped kitchen for guests to come together for a meal after a long day exploring the surrounding area, the property also has a woodburning stove to play board games beside into the evening.
A scenic drive will bring you to the town of Fort William which has an array of sandy beaches, grand hills, and castles. Holidaymakers can also climb Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, to watch the sun rise on the longest day of the year.
Dancing Beck Cottage – Millbeck, Cumbria
Sleeps: Six
Price: Seven nights from £1,050
Dancing Beck Cottage can be found in the peaceful village of Millbeck in Cumbria.
Once a Victorian stable serving the nearby school, the newly renovated cottage is ideal for families or groups of friends looking to enjoy a break away to recharge their batteries.
With plenty of privacy and beautiful views, guests can sip their morning coffee while looking over the North Western fells before heading to Castlerigg Stone Circle. With panoramic views of the mountains of Helvellyn and High Seat, Castlerigg is among the earliest British circles and is estimated to have been raised in 3000 BC.
Olive Tree Cottage – Langport, Somerset
Sleeps: Two
Price: Seven nights from £696
URL: www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/DorsetSomerset-Beer-Door/Olive-Tree-Cottage-1076217.html
Resting in the Somerset countryside is barn conversion Olive Tree Cottage.
The bolthole has several contemporary features, including integrated kitchen appliances, a smart TV, and spacious private garden for couples to unwind with a glass of wine while recapping the day’s adventures. 
Glastonbury is a short drive away and has a selection of restaurants to peruse, while Stonehenge is a must visit when in Somerset during the summer solstice.
The Old Swill House – Foxham, Wiltshire
Sleeps: Four
Price: Seven nights from £966
URL: www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Cotswolds-DorsetSomerset-Foxham/The-Old-Swill-House-1087038.html
The Old Swill House can be found tucked away on a working farm in Foxham, Wilshire.
Dating back 300 years, the property is surrounded by rolling countryside and guests can make the most of the summer sunshine on the private patio or while taking on one of the many walking trails from the house’s doorstep.
Holidaymakers can plan a busy itinerary while in Wiltshire, including visits to the market town of Chippenham or the village of Avebury, which is recognised for its Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments. Avebury is also home to the world’s largest stone circle, Avebury Henge, making it the ideal spot to spend the summer solstice.
Tyn-y-Gongl – Benllech, Anglesey
Sleeps: Six
Price: Seven nights from £994
URL: www.sykescottages.co.uk/cottage/Anglesey-Benllech/Tyddyn-Glas-1062458.html
Tyn-y-Gongl is a charming, detached bungalow overlooking sea views in Benllech, Anglesey.
Guests can watch the sun set on the elevated decking or dine al fresco with family and friends before unwinding with a bubble bath and their favourite book.
Venture over to Red Wharf Bay, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to explore its sandy beaches, or spend an afternoon discovering its nature reserve. Alternatively, Bryn Celli Ddu, which is located 20 minutes away, is the most famous Neolithic monument in Wales. As the sun rises on the longest day, light shines directly into the inner chamber of the tomb, which is well worth a visit.
