Google's latest doodle marks the first day of winter, otherwise known as the winter solstice, which is the shortest day and longest night of the year.

The solstice, regarded as the beginning of the winter season, occurs when the Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun. For the next six months, the days will continue to grow longer as the sun spends more time above the horizon.

Hundreds of people, including modern day druids and pagans, are expected to turn out as usual to celebrate the date at Stonehenge, where they will watch sun rise in perfect alignment with the stones.

This year's winter solstice at the site is a little different, coming only three days after the opening of the first phase of a £27m rebuild of facilities at the prehistoric site in Wiltshire. Demand to take part in the annual celebrations, which have already been attracting increasing numbers, had been expected to beat all previous years.

Although this is the most expensive capital project yet undertaken by English Heritage, the organisation has been concerned not to imply there is any greater capacity for visitors who want to join the druid and pagan ceremony among the stones. Three years ago, only 2,000 people attended winter solstice; in 2012 more than 5,000 turned up.

Elsewhere, a lucky 120 people will get the privilege of standing inside Newgrange tomb in County Meath, Ireland, to witness the remarkable .