Winter Solstice Sunrise Walk

For our final Erratic of the year we'll be visiting two of Birmingham's sacred sites and creating a Yule altar. Join us at dawn on December 21st to welcome the Midwinter sun.

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The Winter Solstice is the midnight of the year: the point at which the sun is furthest away and daylight hours are at their lowest. It's the shortest day, the longest night but it also marks the beginning of lighter days to come. In the cycle of the year, it's a time between death and rebirth and so is a time for rest, reflection and dreaming.

The clamour and strain of city living can make it difficult to feel connected to these cosmic cycles but fortunately Birmingham does provide some unorthodox sacred sites that suit the purpose. One of these is the council-commissioned stone circle at Kingston Hill Park in Bordesley Village, believed to date back to the 1990s. This is where we will welcome the sunrise with a silent, lantern-lit procession up the spiral footpath to the stones. Here we will create a Yule altar* and watch the first of the sun's rays hit the city skyline.

From there we will make our way onto the Grand Union Canal towpath and head north through Saltley towards Gravelly Hill. We've already spoken about the significance of Spaghetti Junction as a confluence of confluences and it is here that we shall end our walk with a visit to some very different standing stones: the concrete columns of Salford Circus. If we're lucky with the weather then the sun will provide us with a natural light show across this mighty colonnade and the surrounding scenery.

Meet Andy and Charlie outside The Rainbow pub on Bordesley High Street at 7:45am, Wednesday 21st December.

The route is three miles long and will likely take upwards of two hours including the procession. For those who just want to come for the sunrise but not the towpath walk you are welcome to do so – we'll be finished at the Bordesley stones by 8:30. For those carrying on to Spaghetti Junction there are regular trains back from Aston Station and buses into town from Lichfield Road.

The route will mostly be pavement and towpath with some steep and uneven sections. Steps will be avoided. Wear sturdy footwear and wrap up warm. We recommend bringing bottled water and something to snack on. No need to book, just turn up. The walk will go ahead whatever the weather.

*You are welcome to bring a contribution for the Yule altar eg. holly, mistletoe, pinecones, candles etc.