Right, Shrewton. Fancy a lovely December morning? Perhaps a peaceful drive to the shops, a quick trip to Salisbury or a leisurely journey without your satnav developing a nervous breakdown?
THINK AGAIN.
The Stonehenge Winter Solstice is coming, thousands of people will descend on the stones, and Wiltshire Council is getting the cones out.
Because apparently, watching the sun rise over a 5,000-year-old monument isn’t quite enough of an experience. We need to add a road closure and a spot of local navigation-based trauma. 😂
📅 MONDAY 14 DECEMBER TO WEDNESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2026
That’s right. The traffic restrictions are expected to start at 8am on Monday 14 December and remain in force until midday on Wednesday 23 December.
Just in time for Christmas. Because nothing puts you in the festive spirit quite like discovering that your usual route home has been replaced by a scenic tour of Wiltshire you didn’t ask for.
🚗 SO, WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND SHREWTON?
Here’s where things get interesting.
🔸 B3086: Northbound closure between Rollestone Crossroads and Airman’s Cross Roundabout.
🔸 A360: Northbound closure between Longbarrow Roundabout and Airman’s Cross Roundabout.
🔸 London Road, Shrewton: Closure between the B3086 junction and Nett Road.
There are also closures affecting various byways and footpaths around Durrington, Amesbury, Wilsford cum Lake, Berwick St James and Woodford, plus restrictions on parking along sections of the A360, B3086 and other nearby roads.
In other words, if you were planning to nip out for five minutes, you might want to pack a sandwich.
The good news is that diversions will be signposted, emergency vehicle access will be maintained, and public service buses are exempt from the specified northbound B3086 closure.
The bad news? Your satnav will probably be sitting there saying, “Turn around when possible”, in the same tone as your spouse when you insist you know a shortcut.
🗿 WHY ALL THE FUSS?
The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year and draws people to Stonehenge to witness the sunrise and take part in the celebrations.
Thousands of years ago, our ancestors managed to position enormous stones with remarkable precision.
In 2026, we’re trying to position a Ford Focus in the right lane without causing a diplomatic incident.
We’ve clearly made progress in some areas.
🔎 WANT TO CHECK YOUR ROUTE BEFORE YOU SET OFF?
Don’t rely on the bloke down the pub who reckons he’s found a shortcut through a field. Check the official information instead.
📄 Official traffic order notice:
https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1142/notice-2_e846cf8265.pdf
🗺️ View the restrictions on one.network:
https://one.network/?tm=GB153118572
🚧 Wiltshire Council road closures:
https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-road-closures
☎️ Wiltshire Council: 0300 456 0100
A LITTLE REQUEST TO FELLOW SHREWTONIANS
Please share this with anyone who regularly travels through the area. It’s much better to know about a road closure before setting off than to discover it when you’re already late, running low on fuel and having a heated discussion with a piece of dashboard technology.
And spare a thought for the visitors. They’ll be standing in the freezing cold waiting for the sun to rise, while we locals will be setting off to the Co-Op for a pint of milk and hoping to return in time for Easter..
The sun will rise. The stones will stand. And somewhere, a Wiltshire driver will be shouting at a roundabout.
Some traditions never change. 😂🚗🌅
Are you sure this is not a hang over from April 1st ? What is the correct route from SHREWTON TO LARKHILL ?
Hi, so very, very funny as usual but why are they closing the roads and some footpaths for so loooooonnnnnngggggg. Solstice is only for the 21st so why from the 14th?? Do they ( the local Government) really expect worshippers to turn up a whole week ahead in the possible rain, ice, frost, wind that December is known for? OR are they clearing all the roads so that all the worshippers have a place to park their caravans, lorries, cars, tents, horse and carts without the interruption of irritating traffic ? that’s a thought! Thank you anyway for all your lovely, witty bulletins, although this one, I must say, is a real puzzle. Keep up the good work, Mrs. L
😂 Thank you, Mrs L! I just pass on the information and sometimes wonder myself what on earth the logic is behind it all! Perhaps Wiltshire Council could explain it to us. 🤷♂️🤣