From Victoria Embankment and Westminster Bridge to glamorous sky-high parties, there are plenty of ways to find amazing views of the world famous London New Year's Eve fireworks.
The annual New Year's Eve Fireworks display, launched from the foot of the London Eye and from rafts on the Thames, is visible from most of central London: the basic rule is that if you can see the London Eye, you'll be able to see the show. They cram enough firepower for an hour-long display into ten explosive minutes, lighting up the sky for miles around. The best views are from Victoria Embankment, the South Bank, and Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge. Hungerford Bridge is closed after 8pm and there's also no entry to Westminster Bridge after this time. Watched by half a million people, in 2014 the organisers introduced ticketing for 100,000 in order to prevent overcrowding. Go to www.london.gov.uk for full details.
Avoid the £10 charge and ensure you secure yourself a great spot to watch all of the fireworks set off at midnight this New Year's Eve by watching on from Cannon Street. In the midst of St Paul's Cathedral, Mansion House and Bank, it's just outside of the ticketed area but still a great central riverside location to enjoy the city scenery as London is set alight once again to celebrate the beginning of a brand new year. Further options include Tower Bridge, which is found just round the bend from ticketed areas, Southwark Bridge and Millennium Bridge, both of which are prime spots but could get busy. A further option is Parliament Hill, which will offer a distant view but have the advantage of being less crowded and boasting views of other displays across the capital. Where ever you choose to watch the display from, be sure to arrive early, be prepared to get squished and keep in mind that Cannon Street tube station may well be closed from 8pm.
On the first floor of Royal Festival Hall, Skylon has fabulous views of the Thames and its Southbank terrace is the perfect vantage point to watch the midnight fireworks with a glass of champagne. The night centres on a luxury five-course menu featuring venison wellington, poached halibut and black forest gateau and there's also a children's menu to enable the whole family to enjoy the occasion. After dinner, guests can dance the night away with a live five-piece band and live DJ sets before heading out to the terrace to enjoy front row views of the world-famous firework display.
As the only luxury London hotel sitting right on the River Thames, The Savoy boasts a coveted location for New Year's Eve with a number of exclusive firework display viewing areas. The hotel is going all-out for the occasion with each of the event spaces putting on a special night of drinking and dining. The main event will be the New Year's Eve party with a champagne reception in the River Room and a six-course dinner and an evening of dancing in the spectacular Lancaster Ballroom. The glamorous Beaufort Bar will invite guests to enjoy limitless champagne and canapes as well as access to dancing in the adjoining Thames Foyer, which will have live DJs throughout the night. Here dinner will also be served from live cooking stations in an elaborate gazebo while the Savoy Grill and Kaspar's At The Savoy will be serving their very own indulgent feasts.
Following seven sell-out years, A Vintage New Year's Eve Party is back. The huge party sees the Royal Festival Hall transformed into five floors of set-dressed entertainment including six pop-up nightclubs and two new themed rooms for 2019. The nightclubs will transport guests from the 1920s to the present day with a broad range of music along with live orchestras and specialist DJs. Up your dancing game with the help of dance lessons, make it a gastronomical affair by booking the three-course fine dining menu and document the evening's festivities with the on-site photo studios. When the countdown to midnight begins, venture outside to the terraces for an exclusive view of London's spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks.
Providing 'the ultimate view of the Mayor of London's fireworks', Hutong is the perfect spot to spend New Year's Eve. The restaurant will be serving a five-course northern Chinese menu of sharing dishes, along with a glass of champagne on arrival and a glass to see in the new year. There will be entertainment during dinner and after guests will be able to enjoy the fireworks and join the party on Level 31 in Aqua Shard, where a DJ will play until the early hours. Alternatively, guests can opt to stay at the table for after-dinner drinks. Dinner tickets are £345 and bar tickets are £120, which include a glass of champagne on arrival and a dim sum platter.
Dig out your finest smoking jackets and velvet shawls for New Year's Eve at Sky Garden, which will once again be taking a Great Gatsby theme for the occasion. Set against a backdrop of city views and Sky Garden's luscious tropical greenery, the party invites you to don your chicest Great Gatsby attire - layer up to keep warm in the naturally ventilated garden - and party the night away to live music and late-night DJs. Guests can book in for a special New Year's Eve meal at the Fenchurch restaurant or Darwin Brasserie or, alternatively, there's the option to book City Garden and Sky Pod Bar tables, both of which come with canapes and a glass of champagne, or a standing ticket which includes a glass of champagne.
Floor-to-ceiling windows framing panoramic views of central London make the B&H Garden Room one of the best venues to see in the new year and the Bourne & Hollingsworth New Year's Fireworks Party will provide the chance to do just that. The sky-high drinking and dining hotspot will be putting on a cocktail and canape reception followed by a late-night party where the drinks and small food dishes will be flowing. At midnight guests will be able to watch London's skyline light up with a bang thanks to 180-degree views across the West End and beyond.
Found on level 31 of The Shard and offering a 270 degree view of London, Aqua Shard is an obvious choice to enjoy the famous New Year's Eve fireworks. Removing the street of crowds from the equation, guests will be invited to enjoy a five-course dinner created by head chef Anthony Garlando, the protege of acclaimed multi-Michelin-starred chef Pierre Gagnaire. Dishes include grilled native lobster gratinated with verbena hollandaise, cured pork loin with roasted cauliflower and wagyu sirloin with smoked parsley and potato puree. Desserts are just as indulgent with white chocolate and truffle parfait with salted caramel, spiced biscuit and pumpkin ice cream among the options. Glamorous harmony band The Spinettes play live in the atrium between 9pm and midnight, you get a spectacular view of the fireworks at midnight and top DJs spin the tunes until 3.30am. Dinner tickets cost £395, which include the five-course meal, a glass of champagne and entertainment, while bar tickets are £190.