Last night saw our 4th Summer Solstice guided walk, each year we celebrate this special occasion by offering locals and visitors to the area, the chance to join our guided Solstice walk to experience the Lake District in a completely new light. Providing a unique two-night dinner, bed & breakfast stay, which includes a guided walk to the Castlerigg Stone Circle, followed by a hot breakfast and a Druid Ceremony that is open to all faiths, conducted by OBOD member and practising Druid, Gillian Kavanagh.

Each year our event has grown in popularity; this year saw a mixture of locals, returning guests, as well visitors travelling from as far as York, Cheshire and Bath. Led by Leah Davies (Marketing & Events Manager for Lake District Hotels) and tour very own Druid, Gillian Kavanagh (Druid & Member of OBOD), we departed from Keswick market square at 3am to reach the Stone Circle in time for the sunrise at 4.36am

Once in position, the group plus various party-goers held hands to form a circle within the stone circle, where Gillian carried out the following rituals; Dawn Ceremony of Alban Hefin and The Summer Solstice Dawn Ceremony.

Guests all had their own role to play within the ritual, afterwards they enjoyed a hot breakfast which had been prepared by two of our chefs. The atmosphere at the Stone Circle was amazing, it was a fantastic sight to see everyone join in the ritual, there must have been at least 150 people join our circle.

Gillian Kavanagh, Druid & Member of OBOD, commented, “I feel honoured to be of service as a practising druid in the community, getting to work with people from all over the UK that have come to Keswick and Castlerigg Stone Circle as an act of pilgrimage. Part of their spiritual journey, working with Lake District Hotels has brought this spiritual unfolding to their guests.”