Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve 2012
The New Year celebration does not lose its appeal, if anything it seems to become bigger and better each year.
In recent years the nature of the celebration has evolved and really since the millennium the world’s cities have been vying to put on the most spectacular firework display – though in recent years few have been able to rival London.
Maybe this is the year you will decide to take the plunge and celebrate ‘Hogmanay’ in style, and to help you we are going to take a closer look at some of our favourite New Year destinations.
London
The focus for the London event has historically been Big Ben as the country approaches the final seconds of the year. The seminal image of the nation’s New Year celebration is still undoubtedly a major draw but the emphasis has shifted in recent years with revellers choosing between vantage points in Trafalgar Square and the north bank of the Thames. The London Eye is the focus for perhaps the most spectacular firework display in the country, if not the world. Unsurprisingly you will need a great deal of patience to negotiate the crowded streets to find your prime position with many of the favoured spots taken up hours in advance. However, with everyone in a jovial mood, and with visitors from all over the world, the wait is worth it and this is likely to be one of your most treasured New Year memories.
Bristol
Bristol has a well-established reputation as one of Britain’s premier party destinations, with a wide array of some of Britain’s oldest bars, and, consequently, is rapidly growing in popularity for New Year. Many of the most popular events are ticketed so planning in advance is a pre-requisite but you will be rewarded with many of the city’s best live bands in one of the most dynamic sites in the South West.
Bideford
Maybe a little left-field choice and perhaps not often mentioned in the same breath as London, New York and Paris but humble Bideford in North Devon is quickly becoming a popular choice for New Year revellers. A carnival spirit takes over the town and the order of the evening is fancy dress with the celebration culminating around the picturesque quay which is illuminated with, of course, the ubiquitous firework display.
Where to stay? Moorhead Farm not only offers a variety of properties for parties of 2 to 6 but they can also cook you Christmas dinner! What’s more there’s a New Year party in their licensed bar and restaurant with music, dancing and a FREE hot buffet for guests.
Edinburgh
For many the natural home of Hogmanay is quite simply…. Edinburgh. Scotland will be forever associated with New Year’s Eve and the capital is at the heart of the celebration. Where perhaps the focus for the majority of the country is in the final hour, in Edinburgh Hogmanay is more of a festival with events spread across three days. The famous meandering torchlight procession is held on the 29th and during ‘the night afore’ Edinburgh is immersed in a celebration of street arts and music. On New Year’s Eve thousands gather for street parties around Princes Street with the majestic backdrop of Edinburgh counting down to a major firework display and of course to the traditional rendition of Robert Burns’ ’Auld Lang Syne’ where thousands link arms to see in the New Year. This year, who knows, that might just include you!
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