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Wiltshire in Pictures: Special solstice sunrise

Thousands of people have journeyed to Wiltshire this week to witness the iconic moment of the sun rising above Stonehenge.

The midsummer celebrations were marked at dozens of places across the county, including our world-famous stone circle.

People have also been taking advantage of the sunshine to get out and about, capturing some of the best sights across the area.

There has also been lots of excitement at Longleat Safari Park with some new arrivals.

Here is our weekly round-up showing life across the county this week.

Reuters Revellers attend summer solstice celebrations during sunriseReuters
Two people wearing pagan green man masks smiling at the camera. They are standing amongst people at Stonehenge.

A midsummer night's dream: Thousands of people stayed up to watch the sunrise during this year's solstice. With the main event happening at Stonehenge, crowds flocked to witness the first rays of sunlight piercing through the ancient stone archways.

West Swindon Parish Council The five female students stood in-front of their newly painted mural. All are smiling into the camera. West Swindon Parish Council
West Swindon Parish Council A large flower painted in black on a pink, yellow and blue subway wall.West Swindon Parish Council

Brightening up: Local art students spent their work experience painting a large mural on a subway in West Swindon. As part of an initiative rolled out by Marlborough Parish Council, five pupils from St John's School, painted the 26-metre (85ft) wall under Mead Way.

Longleat Safari Park The endangered secretary bird chick born at Longleat Safari Park. It is white and grey in colour.Longleat Safari Park

New chick on the block: Keepers at Longleat Safari Park are hand rearing an endangered secretary bird chick. Born five weeks ago to seven-year-old Janine and dad Kevin, aged nine, the gender of the chick is not yet known. It was successfully reared in 2024 and is now living in a zoo in Singapore.

Longleat Safari Park The heads of two hippos just appearing above water in a pool Longleat Safari Park

Say hello: There was also excitement at the safari park as sisters, Matylda and Manon, were the first hippopotamuses to be welcomed at Longleat in more than 40 years after their journey from the Czech Republic.

Salisbury Cathedral Three women stitching as part of the project. Two are sat at a bench working, while one is leaning over to look at someone's work. Boxes of stitching equipment is on the table.Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral A woman's hands stitching onto a white piece of cloth. An image of a cathedral is on the left hand side as a guide. Salisbury Cathedral

Fine needlework: Volunteers at Salisbury Cathedral have made the first stitch on their part of a major project which is in collaboration with 12 other cathedrals across the country. The Saintly Stitchers will help create a textile piece called the Circle of Life, which has been designed by iconographer Aiden Hart. The project should be completed by March 2026.

Six ducks huddled together. They are nesting on a rocky stone.

Time for a cuddle: These ducks were spotted having a snuggle in Malmesbury.

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