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We’ve once again reached that point in the year. The past few days have been a hazy mix of Ferrero Rochers and random movies, and in case you were getting mixed up, today (December 30) is Monday. Soon, though, we’ll find our bearings and return to work/school/other day to day activities, but not until we’ve appropriately bid goodbye to 2024.
Whether you’re celebrating in front of the TV or in front of the Thames, there are a lot of ways you can enjoy London’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks this year, but some viewing points are better than others. In fact some viewing points are so rubbish that local authorities have urged Londoners to avoid them altogether, lest you be met with disappointment and despair.
The main spots to avoid are Tower Bridge and London Bridge, both of which, despite being popular tourist attractions, offer little to no view of the fireworks due to being beyond a bend in the river. They’ll also both be open to traffic and functioning as normal motor bridges, so they won’t be particularly relaxing environments to party in.
City Bridge Foundation (CFS), which manages both bridges, has issued a statement saying: ‘We don’t want to come across like party poopers but the fact is if you go to Tower Bridge or London Bridge to see the fireworks, you will only wish you hadn’t.
‘In recent years there have been large numbers of people on both of these busy bridges at midnight, trying unsuccessfully to see the New Year’s Eve fireworks… The bridges have become congested with thousands of disappointed people, posing a risk to pedestrians and motorists.’
‘Our stewards will be on patrol on both bridges, along with a significant police presence to reassure the public and ensure people stay safe.’
The CFS suggests that those not lucky enough to get official tickets catch the show from the comfort of their homes via BBC One.
Areas around these bridges will also be cordoned off, CFS has stated. From 7pm Blackfriars Bridge and surrounding road will ‘only be accessible to ticket holders,’ and the Millennium footbridge will be shut from 8pm until after midnight.
You should also steer clear of Greenwich Park, which will close at 6pm on December 31. Primrose Hill will be open, but fireworks and paper lanterns are banned. Royal Parks has also asked that large groups not collect in the green, saying, ‘We ask that people please respect the park and the surrounding area by not organising a gathering on Primrose Hill or letting off your own fireworks or lanterns. Also, if the bins are full, please take litter home with you.’
It’s not all bad though. There are plenty of great places to celebrate us successfully making another trip around the sun, some of which you can read about here. And hey, even if you don’t end up seeing any fireworks there’s always next year.
A massive West End Boxing Day sale has just started, with tickets from £13.
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