England World Cup Win and Summer Solstice Celebrations in Pictures
Short overview
Thousands gathered at Stonehenge to mark the summer solstice, while football fans celebrated England's 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia. This photo roundup also highlights community events, awards, and charitable achievements across the West.
Thousands of people across the West celebrated the summer solstice earlier this week, marking the official start of astronomical summer. This year, the solstice fell on 21 June, and thousands flocked to Stonehenge in Wiltshire to watch the sunrise on the longest day of the year. Football fans across the region were also celebrating after England's 4-2 victory against Croatia in their first World Cup match on Wednesday. Here is a selection of photographs from across the region this week.
Bristol
England Fans Celebrate Victory
Smiles all round: England fans at Bristol's Ashton Gate Stadium cheered for joy as England beat Croatia 4-2 in their first game of the FIFA 2026 World Cup on Wednesday.
Student Award Winners
Award winners: Students from the University of the West of England celebrated winning four categories at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards this week. BA (Hons) animation students Niamh McArdle and Amy Mulcahy were among the winners and were commended for their "exceptional editing craft".
Music for Care Home Residents
Lost in music: Aurora Orchestra's immersive performance of Mozart brought hundreds of care home residents together for a unique live music experience at the Bristol Beacon.
Mental Health Awareness Event
The importance of community: World Cup winner Amber Reed attended a mental health awareness event at the LooseHeadz summer roadshow at Lockleaze Sports Centre on Monday. Reed, a 2014 Women's World Cup winner with England and now assistant coach of Bristol Bears Women, joined the event in her hometown and spoke about the importance of community.
Charitable Fundraising
Charitable work: Emma Stuart, who works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol, celebrated raising £60,000 for Cots for Tots, the charity that supports the unit and the babies and families in its care.
Gloucestershire
World Cup Screening
Victorious: Fans celebrated victory after watching a screening of the FIFA World Cup match between England and Croatia at the EV Charger Points Stadium in Cheltenham.
King Penguin Egg Laid
Precious egg: A king penguin egg has been laid at a bird park in Gloucestershire for the first time in six years. The 289g (10oz) egg was laid by a younger female king penguin named French at Birdland Park and Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water earlier this week.
Women's Rugby Final
Women's Rugby: Trailfinders held off Gloucester-Hartpury as they beat the reigning champions 29-26 to reach their first Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) final on 14 June.
Wiltshire
England Fans in Wiltshire
It's coming home: In Wiltshire, England fans watched their team's victory over Croatia at The Old Lane pub in Pewsham, Chippenham.
Community Garden Transformation
Community spirit: A much-loved pub in Limpley Stoke, near Bath, has transformed its garden at the Hop Pole Inn into a space for children and family to have fun. Publicans Hannah Randall and Charlie Rawlings are pictured here next to a bug house which is one of the latest additions to the garden.
Autism Inclusion Award
Inclusion award: The Trafalgar School at Downton became the first secondary school in Wiltshire to achieve the National Autistic Society's Autism Inclusion Award. The school has achieved the recognition following its work to raise autism awareness among staff and creating a more inclusive and comfortable environment for autistic pupils.
Westbury Festival
Festival fun: Programmes are out for the Westbury Festival, which will see the town adorned with bunting ahead of a series of events, many of them free. This year's line-up includes a talk from Bristol-based adventurer Jacqui Furneaux, a show which pays tribute to comedian Victoria Wood and a Frozen sing-along.
Summer Strolls
Summer strolls: Thank you to BBC Weather Watcher David58 for this stunning photo of a tranquil walk at Stourhead.
Somerset
Wurzels Celebrate 50 Years
Combine Harvester: The British Scrumpy and Western band the Wurzels celebrated 50 years of their chart-topping song "Combine Harvester (Brand New Key)". The novelty song reached Number 1 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1976 and famously held the top spot for two weeks, beating out massive acts like Dolly Parton, Rod Stewart, and Wings.
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