New Year’s Eve fireworks in London 2019: best places to watch for free
Tickets for the official show are sold out, but there are plenty of free spots that offer a great view
As happens every year, tickets for London’s main New Year’s Eve fireworks display sold out long ago.
The event, which began in 2003, has been ticketed – and limited to around 100,000 – for safety reasons since 2014, after almost 500,000 people turned up in 2013.
But if you were hoping to catch a glimpse of the display, there are still viewpoints across the city where you can catch all of the action for free.
Primrose Hill
Nearest stations: Chalk Farm, Swiss Cottage and Camden Town
As one of the highest points in the city, this beautiful park is the perfect spot to watch the fireworks as Big Ben strikes 12 midnight. For best results, pair the view with a bottle of bubbly and a warm picnic blanket.
Parliament Hill and Hampstead Heath
Nearest stations: Hampstead, Gospel Oak and Belsize Park
Another North London location, Hampstead Heath is a perennial favourite and usually a good family-friendly venue for New Year’s celebrations. This spot also goes well with a bottle of champagne brought from home.
Hilly Fields
Nearest stations: Ladywell and Crofton Park
As the Evening Standard is quick to point out, North London isn’t the only area offering great viewing spots for New Year’s Eve.
This green hangout in Brockley also offers great views down on to central London and is surrounded by some good pubs if you are looking somewhere to go before midnight.
Millennium Bridge
Nearest stations: London Bridge or Bank
If you don’t mind wrapping up warm and getting there a bit earlier, Millennium Bridge is a great place to watch London’s New Year firework show light up the sky.
Similarly, Southwark Bridge, Tower Bridge, Vauxhall Bridge and Lambeth Bridge are all pretty near the fireworks and don’t require tickets, so if you want a clear view of the event but haven’t managed to grab a ticket these locations are great alternatives.
Alexandra Palace
Nearest tube: Wood Green
Another leafy, north London option, Ally Pally is located further from central London and so is likely to be less crowded than some other locations. It provides panoramic views of the capital, including the city’s fireworks on the Thames.
Fireworks fans are advised to check TFL.gov.uk for the latest travel news before they set off on their journey and to arrive early at their destination.
