London for New Years Eve
 

Looking for ideas on where to go for New Years Eve in London. Also seeking advice on best place to see fireworks if there are any. Thanks in advance for your reply!

"where to go for New Years Eve in London"

Your friend's party. Otherwise: Cotswolds, Edinburgh, New York

"best place to see fireworks"
Your TV

Sorry to sound glib.

But do a search on this forum and you'll see a group of us constantly stressing that London just isn't a place for greownups to celebrate New Year's Eve in public.

Well, maybe a bunch of old fuddy-duddys are okay with watching fireworks on the telly, but there are LOTS of adults who choose to spend New Years Eve out in London, and they all seem to have a good time. Yes, there are a lot of young people getting drunk and pissing on the streets, but that's to be expected.
I spent a lovely NYE at Someset House a few years ago. There are a limited number of tickets, so it's not totally swamped. You can ice skate, enjoy a few drinks at the bar, people watch ... it's all lovely. Then, just before midnight, everyone goes out onto the (private) area just along the embankment and watches the fireworks over the Thames. It was really a perfect evening. The only drawback was finding our way home afterwards, because the Tube stations close the entrances around there (due to overcrowding). But if you don't mind a bit of a walk, it's really a great opportunity.
So let those old folks go around to a friends house. Come out and enjoy the evening!

I have been to London a couple of times for New Years and they have the fireworks over near the London Eye on the Thames. We were across the river as I recall and could see them quite well. It was a mob of people out and about and extremely cold. For a stranger in town finding a good place to hang out and drink was hard to do - places either fully booked up in advance or extremely expensive. (Having said that, my daughters - in their early 20's, had no problems getting in to a few places - they had a great time).

But I am more in line with Flanner's approach to NY Eve. Edinburgh is more of a NYE destination. Either way, take a coat and enjoy.

There is a large New Years Day Parade, replete with zillions of American high school marching bands - bringing them here has become a big business for someone. Right thru the heart of London round Trafalgar Square area I believe.

New Year's Eve in London - Visit London
New Year's Eve 2010-2011 in London. On New Year's Eve, London comes alive with celebrations, fireworks and parties in every corner of the capital. ...
www.visitlondon.com

What's On in London http://newyears.noo.com/new-years-eve/in/London/This link is safe.New Year's Eve London 2011 - Events, Cruises, Parties
Discover events for New Year's Eve in London 2011, including parties at cruises, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels and more.
newyears.noo.com › New Year's Eve Events

where to go for New Years Eve in London"

Your friend's party. Otherwise: Cotswolds, Edinburgh, New York

"best place to see fireworks"
Your TV

Sorry to sound glib.

But do a search on this forum and you'll see a group of us constantly stressing that London just isn't a place for greownups to celebrate New Year's Eve in public>

Well coverage of the humungous gathering along the Thames by Big Ben's tower belies the above take as crapola - I say a Times Square type throng of yeh mainly younger folk - under 40 but also all ages. Seems a celebration on par with those in most world capitals.

So why the misinformation as usual from flanner?

best place to see fireworks"
Your TV>

well again very poor advice for visitors wanting to take in the real deal, which does exist:

Videos for new years eve london 2010 fireworks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdU-YUSzkUI London Fireworks on New Year's Day 2010 - New ...
8 min - Dec 31, 2009
Uploaded by BBC
youtube.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFWLOAarM3c London New Years Eve -2011- Countdown ...
10 min - Dec 31, 2009
youtube.com