Travel plan idea blog

Where to watch London's New Year's fireworks?

So we're trying to decide what to do about Fireworks in London for New Year's. I've gotten some good advice but not on where to watch London's fireworks.

We don't want to wait around in the cold for hours and we don't want to deal with big crowds. Last year we were in Zurich for New Year's and it was cold but we didn't start waiting until 11:00 or so and the crowds were not bad at all. Of course I expect London's fireworks to be better - as I wrote last year I want to see fireworks with old European stuff in the background.

London, I hear, is different than Zurich in terms of crowds:

From View London:

Thanks to having an enormous height advantage, the London Eye New Years Eve fireworks display will be able to be viewed throughout London. And if you are lucky enough to get into one of the viewing areas, you will be treated to s specially mixed soundtrack from Radio 1 as you wait for the fireworks to start. If you can’t get down to watch the event from along the Thames, head to high ground like Hampstead Heath for some spectacular views. Residents who have high balconies or roofs can also experience the fireworks from their own homes, which might be just the excuse you need to host a New Years Eve party.

From Phoenix Fireworks:

Finding the best place to see the london new years fireworks display is important as people will start arriving at 8.00pm. It will start getting crowded from 9.30pm onwards, so best to get there for 9.00pm. Westminster bridge and the North embankment, opposite the London Eye, are the best places to see the display. The display lasts 15 minutes from midnight and will be visible from many parts of London and will also be on television.

So anyone have advice for me? Maybe a good restaurant or bar to watch from or some other private thing?

Posted by James Trotta at December 8, 2008 9:42 PM