This morning (June 21) the Summer solstice was celebrated at Stonehenge for the first time since 2019.

Thousands of people gathered around the stones to watch and cheer as the sun rose over the ancient attraction at 4.49am. 

The last two years saw the event streamed online due to the pandemic but this year around 6,000 people attended according to the Wiltshire Police. 

As the nation enjoys the extra sunlight on the longest day of the year, we've looked at the exact time the sun will set. 

Bournemouth Echo:  See what time the sun will be setting as the UK face the longest day of the year. (PA) See what time the sun will be setting as the UK face the longest day of the year. (PA)

What time is tonight's sunset for the Summer Solstice?

If you are planning on staying up late to catch a glimpse of the annual event then you will need to keep your evening free. 

The sunset takes place at 9.24pm according to the Met Office. 

And if you wondering if you would be able to see the setting, then you are in luck as it's set to be clear skies all evening with no rain. 

Making it the perfect weather to watch the solstice sunset. 

What is the Summer Solstice?

The summer solstice is an event that occurs in the Northern Hemisphere in June every year and marks the day of the year which will experience the most sunlight.

Solstices occur due to the Earth rotating on its axis, producing the day and night cycle, whilst it also orbits around the Sun.

Royal Museums Greenwich states: "However, the axis of rotation of the Earth is not lined up with the axis of motion around the Sun. Instead, it is tilted slightly at 23.44°.1

"This tilt means that during one half of the year the North side of the Earth is tilted slightly towards the Sun and the South is tilted away. For the other half of the year the reverse is true.

"At the exact moment that the northern hemisphere is most tilted towards the Sun, the northern hemisphere experiences its summer solstice. The southern hemisphere, by contrast, has its winter solstice."