Where to watch the 2014 New Year's Eve fireworks in London if you don't have a ticket

Want to catch the official London fireworks this New Year's Eve but don't have a ticket? Here's where to go
Ooh, ahh! No need to miss out on the New Year's Eve fireworks even if you don't have a ticket (Picture: Getty)
Getty
Emily Jupp18 December 2014

This year, for the first time, the previously free for all Mayor of London's New Year's Eve fireworks display is a ticketed affair – a prime viewing spot along the South Bank or Victoria Embankment (the grey areas on the below Google map) costs £10. However, the deadline for ticket applications was Monday December 15, so if you haven't already got yours sorted, you'll need to make alternative plans. Luckily, we have loads of suggestions for places to go on New Year's Eve within gawping distance of the midnight illuminations.

New Year's Eve Fireworks across the world

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Watch the fireworks for free

You can see the fireworks from these London vantage points (marked in green on the below Google map). Be prepared to fight the crowds, stake out your area early in the day and tag-team for toilet breaks. Bring water bottles, booze and snacks: you're in for a long night.

Tower Bridge sits round the bend from the ticketed viewing areas, but in previous years has become a place for crowds to gather to catch the fireworks. Southwark Bridge and the Millennium Bridge are closer but very narrow, so you'll be gaining a better view but losing personal space. Imagine the tube in rush hour when half the lines are down.

Cannon Street and the east side of Monument are both very close to the viewing areas but unlikely to have restricted access as they are set a little way back from the river.

Slightly further afield, Vauxhall Bridge is also round the bend from the official viewing zones, on the opposite side from Tower Bridge, near Tate Britain and Millbank. It's likely to be less crowded, with a good, if slightly distant, view of the action.

From Parliament Hill and Primrose Hill in the north west you can see all of London spread out before you and although the Mayor's fireworks will be in the distance, they'll be joined by thousands of other smaller displays lighting up the sky.

Views with benefits

If shivering in a crowd of strangers and having to wee into a bottle isn't your ideal way to see in 2015, here are some more extravagant and upmarket ways to watch the fireworks in style. Venues are marked with red pins on the above Googlemap.

Vista

What is it? The rooftop bar at The Trafalgar Hotel by Trafalgar Square.

Why? Escape the New Year's Eve-related chaos at ground level at this little oasis with panoramic views high above the hustle and bustle. It's usually closed in winter but is opening for one night only on New Year's Eve. Festivities begin at the Rockwell bar downstairs, where there'll be DJs, New York-style deli food and a chocolate fountain, before the Vista rooftop opens at 11pm. Shuffle toward the Embankment-facing side of the bar at midnight to see the fireworks from a comfortable distance.

Price: £155.

Find it: The Trafalgar Hotel, 2 Spring Gardens, SW1A 2TS, thetrafalgar.com

Far from the madding crowd: rise above it at Vista

Skylon

What is it? The restaurant overlooking the Thames at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall.

Why? Skylon has a great view of the river all year round, so is well-placed for the New Year's Eve celebrations. There'll be a champagne reception on the Royal Festival Hall terrace, a bespoke tasting menu from Executive Head Chef Adam Gray, with yummy things like scallops served with Jerusalem artichokes and watercress cream, and wild mushroom soup with truffle butter brioche, and dancing till dawn with live music from the Urban Soul Orchestra.

Price: £285.

Find it: Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX, skylon-restaurant.co.uk

Sushisamba

What is it? The Peruvian-Japanese-Brazilian fusion restaurant situated 39 floors up Heron Tower on Bishopsgate.

Why? Sushisamba is putting on a Reveillon, a Brazilian New Year's Eve extravaganza where everyone wears white in honour of Iemenja, the Goddess of the Sea. Expect samba dancers, batucada drummers, a live broadcast of the countdown and a champagne reception. Canapés include lobster taquitos served with aji Amarillo and cashew nuts, and one of the restaurant's signature dishes, black cod with coconut rice.The restaurant has glass on three sides, so plenty of room for everyone to see the fireworks when the time comes.

Price: From £150.

Find it: Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY, sushisamba.com

Somerset House

What is it? One of London's most stunning public buildings, with a large terrace overlooking the Thames.

Why? See in the New Year surrounded by neoclassical splendour. Skate to the sounds of a live DJ at London’s most beautiful ice rink or soak up the atmosphere in the courtyard as a spectator. Enjoy Fortnum and Mason's rosé champagne at midnight while watching the Mayor’s fireworks show from the Somerset House River Terrace. The skating rink sells mulled wine, hot chocolate, cocktails and snacks, but for something more substantial head to Fernandez and Wells, which will be open all night serving tapas and wine, or Fortnum's Lodge for fondue of both the cheesy and chocolatey variety.

Price: Skaters £62, spectators £45.

Find it: Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA, somersethouse.org.uk

Boat Trips

Blueprint Café

What is it? A café and restaurant in the Design Museum overlooking the Thames.

Why? This restaurant's emphasis is on fresh seasonal ingredients, so you'll be served a decent dinner – dishes include Jerusalem artichoke soup, guinea fowl terrine and beef fillet steak – before being whisked on to party boat the Erasmus, which will cruise westwards towards the fireworks.

Price: Dinner £85 for just the meal, dinner and boat party £175.

Find it: The Design Museum, Shad Thames, SE1 2YD, blueprintcafe.co.uk

Feast: enjoy seasonal food with your views at Blueprint Cafe

Pont de la Tour

What is it? A fine dining restaurant located on the Thames near Tower Bridge.

Why? This restaurant sits on the river by Tower Bridge, so if you're lucky enough to bag a window seat, you'll enjoy great views all night long. The six-course menu includes lobster salad, potato gnocci with baby beetroot and samphire, and roasted venison. Once you're full to the brim, you'll be invited to waddle onto the Erasmus (along with guests from the neighbouring Blueprint Café, see above), where you'll glide up the Thames for a close-up view of the fireworks while glugging unlimited champers.

Price: Dinner £175, dinner and boat party £375

Find it: 36D Shad Thames, SE1 2YE, lepontdelatour.co.uk

HQS Wellington

What is it? A boat moored by Victoria Embankment, in front of one of the main viewing areas for the fireworks.

Why? If you don't trust your sea legs but fancy a boat party, this is the right option for you. This moored vessel will have a great view of the fireworks and it won't go anywhere! There's a sit-down four-course menu and the dress code is black tie.

Price: £280

Get there: Temple Stairs, Victoria Embankment, WC2R 2PN, hqswellingtonship.co.uk

HMS President

What is it? A moored boat by Victoria Embankment, where you'll have clear views of the fireworks.

Why? Like the HQS Wellington, this boat is permanently moored, so you can skip out before the party ends if you feel the need to abandon ship. It's more informal than the Wellington, with no particular dress code and the option of a buffet if you don't fancy a sit down meal. We'd go for the buffet option as drinks are unlimited with this ticket.

Price: Formal dinner £199, buffet £165.

Find it: Kings Reach, Victoria Embankment, EC4Y 0HJ, hmspresident.com

Pukka Up New Year’s Eve

What is it? A two-boat party which sails from North Greenwich to Westminster in time for the fireworks.

Why? If you want a smarter way to catch the sky lights you could do worse than book a seat on one of the Pukka Up New Year’s Eve boats. As well as a hell of a view, there’s a cava reception and house music on the stereo all night. Revellers will also receive free entry to after party Kinki Malinki at Konnect (formerly Pacha).

Price: £119

Find it: North Greenwich Pier, SE10, pukkaup.com

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