Summer solstice at Stonehenge - worth the trip or tourist trap nightmare?

I'm thinking of heading down to Stonehenge for the summer solstice this year and I'm trying to work out if it's actually worth battling the crowds or if it's become such a tourist circus that any genuine paranormal/spiritual experience gets completely lost.

I've been before in the off-season and it's genuinely atmospheric, but solstice night apparently draws thousands of people. On one hand, there's definitely something about that much human energy focused in one place. On the other hand, it's probably just going to be drunk students and selfie sticks.

Has anyone done the solstice vigil there? What's the actual experience like beyond the Instagram crowd?

Go during the actual sunrise on solstice day, not the night before. The crowds are slightly more manageable and honestly the light hitting the stones at dawn is properly magical. Bit less about the supernatural and more about the sheer architectural achievement and ancient knowledge, but worth experiencing.

any genuine paranormal/spiritual experience gets completely lost

I went three years running and the energy honestly does feel different on solstice night. Whether that's the place, the date, or just everyone's expectations aligning, I can't say. But standing there at dawn with hundreds of people all watching the light come up together? That's pretty profound regardless of the supernatural angle.

The actual solstice access is restricted now - you have to get through English Heritage. It's not cheap and it's quite controlled. Much better experience going to actual stone circles that aren't fenced off. Callanish Stones in the Outer Hebrides on midsummer eve is absolutely incredible if you can manage the travel.

Last time I went it was absolute chaos and I got my wallet nicked. Would not recommend. Go in April.