It’s a new dawn for The Stone Circle gravel festival, a standout weekend in the UK cycling calendar where riders pass Stonehenge, and a host of other landmarks, before returning to Old Sarum Hill Fort for a midsummer party.

When the previous organiser – Hotchillee – announced closure in August, it confirmed all future events would be cancelled.

However four former employees, all creditors of the business, couldn’t stand to see the event end so have started a new company and will deliver the next edition from June 27, to 29, 2025.

Hailed as one of the UK’s best gravel cycling events, The Stone Circle is a weekend festival of gravel cycling, featuring three route options, camping, DJs, pizza, craft beers, event partners, a fancy dress hill climb and prizes focused on inclusivity and fun.

Officially launched in 2023, participant numbers rose rapidly to 900 by year two, and it’s anticipated that the 1,000 entries in 2025 will fill up fast.

The new company consists of an organising team with more than 40 years combined industry experience, and are promising the same festival weekend and, with the continued support of key event sponsors, some new additions.

Jane Fairley, event director, commented: “We have been inundated by people asking what is happening and I’m delighted to announce The Stone Circle will return in 2025.

“Since year one, I’ve loved being part of the event and watching it grow – not just in terms of participants, but it keeps getting more and more fun too.

“Our gravel community is special to us, and we felt a duty to continue to provide them with the chance to ride and party together in 2025 and beyond. We’ve got big plans for next year – it’s going to be the best Stone Circle yet.”

The event will take place between June 27-29, 2025, from the same English Heritage hilltop fort of Old Sarum and include The Jester (80 km), The Rebel (130 km), and The B*stard (220 km) route options.

Key features of The Stone Circle include a sunrise passing of Stonehenge, a mixture of exclusive American style gravel through MOD land, single track, bridleways, forest trails, farmyard tracks and quintessential English countryside.

General early bird entry is on sale until Friday, December 5, 2024 with weekend tickets from £90 www.stonecircle.cc.