So, New Years Eve I am going to London with my girlfriend. We have booked a meal and out hotel, But I'm a little unsure what to do about watching the fireworks?
I'm uder the impression that I need to be queuing to get in the viewing aeas from 8pm, which to be honest, I dont want to waste 4 hours of my night queuing. Instead i'd rather go for a leisurly meal and then stroll down to somewhere that I can watch, maybe not with the best view, but as long as theres an atmosphere?
I was thinking maybe Trafalgar square?
Any opinions? Anybody thats been to the display in previous years?
Trafalgar square - I'd expect it to be extremely busy, we were there about 5 yrs ago and it was packed out and very noisy as you'd expect, any central public transport makes for a bit too much hassle on New Years but if you can walk to and from the hotel to a bridge on the Thames that might be better.
You want to be opposite the london eye on the embankment, near embankment or westminster tube, rather you than me though.
Leave her home alone and get yourself off to a Gary Barlow gig 😉
I see that the Embankment is the ideal viewing spot, but i dont really fancy standing around for 4 hours? Didn't know if there are other spots where people gather?
You won't be strolling anywhere if it has a view of the fireworks.
Trafalgar Square will be packed like a rush hour tube train, and you can't see the fireworks.
I would avoid.
was thinking maybe primrose hill?
Primrose hill is a pretty good idea. It's still stupidly busy but significantly less so than near the river.
Anything on the river and you won't be "strolling", you'll be squeezing through 6 deep crowds! Last time I was in London for NYE, we were in a pub near Kings College Hosp then we went up to Ruskin Park to watch the fireworks from there. The hill is high enough to get a clear view over to the river.
I'm not fussed about squeezing in by the river, just dont fancy standing for 4 hours with nothing to do/see?
Me and the wife went to see the fireworks on southbank...worst experience ever.
Yobs shoving and pushing - because they thought was funny. One group of lads almost pushed my wife over...they were a bit surprised by my reaction as they thought they we're just 'having fun'.
Fights...often involving different groups of yobs....on one occasion involving a group of yobs and the police.
Every few minutes a bottle would come smashing on the ground - they were being lobbed in the air by yobs. Never saw it hit anyone but it must have somewhere.
Mostly the police just watched. Except at the end when they blocked roads and made everyone shuffle a long route back to Waterloo....didn't get home till 3am.
We were stood next to an Australian couple who were in the same position...apparently they were either going TO go to Paris or London...they made the wrong choice. Me stood shielding my wife and he stood shielding his partner.
If you go...make sure you go to the organised bit that's on TV.
Call me a London-hater but as an ex-Londoner I can't think of many places I'd like to be less.
Suggesting don't go isn't an option else I wouldnt be on here asking for opinions! I'm going!
We went last year & walked towards Embankment along the river from near tower bridge.
We got about as far as 3 bridges away before the crowds started, so pitched up on one of the bridges. I don't know which one but if you look on a map it gives a clear line of sight to the wheel.
Crowds were ok & well behaved, it was a nice atmosphere I reckon. Anyway, only problem was we were downwind so though initially we got a good view when the smoke built up, no view at all.
Previous occasions we have watched from Richmond Hill, just inside the park. That's far nicer but if you are staying in central London a bit far out.
Good luck, the beigel bakery on brick lane is open all night & a decent place to eat after.
Out of chance last year we ended up in [url= https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview#!data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-0.135276!3d51.502351!2m2!1f338.56!2f91.23!4f75!2m9!1e1!2m3!1s6ReOny7YccoAAAALCpwPmg!2e0!7e11!5m3!1s6ReOny7YccoAAAALCpwPmg!2e0!3e11&fid=5 ]St. James Park[/url]
The view was still good and a lot less busy than Embankment.
You can't stand on the bridges but can look down the lake.
Yeah avoid Trafalgar square and the river like the plague!
Primrose Hill is a p good idea then you can jump on the tube or overground to wherever you need to be or The Spaniards pub at the top of the park is very nice, see if they are doing something there for the evening could be worth a look? You would definitely have to book though.