Nine unmissable places to spend New Year’s Eve
If you want to kick off 2020 with a bang and celebrate the New Year in style, here are some of the coolest, quirkiest places to celebrate. Whether you’re looking for a party pad in the heart of the city, a base for seeing the best fireworks or a remote hideaway where celebrations can continue into New Year’s Day, here are nine unmissable places to spend New Year’s Eve!
Edinburgh
Best for: Hogmanay celebrations.
Where to ring in the New Year: Ceilidh under the castle at Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh’s world-revered Hogmanay celebrations feature a jam-packed rostra of events, celebrations and parties for revellers to ring in the New Year. The historic city comes to life with a huge street party, a magical torchlight procession and lively concert in the gardens. The party goes on late into the night with a night walk, Ceilidh and after-party.
Nurse those hangovers on New Year’s Day by diving into the refreshing (that’s code for freezing!) waters of the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry. The Loony Dook, which translates to ‘dip’ or ‘bathe’, is a fancy dress event that takes place just West of Edinburgh.
Featured property: The spacious, light and airy Powderhall Brae is a stylish first-floor apartment complete with a piano and balcony. The kitchen and dining room create a perfect space for groups who want to stay in and eat, while the apartment is just half a mile from Edinburgh city centre for those who want to hit the town. The three-bedroom apartment comfortably sleeps five and provides the perfect base for family and friends who want to enjoy Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Celebrations.
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St Ives
Best for: Seafood and sea air.
Where to ring in the New Year: Watching the fireworks on the beach.
The picturesque town of St Ives, in Cornwall, comes to life on December 31st as thousands of partygoers flock to the seaside spot to countdown to midnight. The town is transformed into one huge street party with everyone donning their best, most vibrant fancy dress costumes. Live music and street stalls lead up to an impressive fireworks display on the beach.
Featured property: Gamekeepers Cottage is a charming three-bedroom, two-bathroom terraced lodge nestled within the stunning grounds of Treganna Castle. The cottage sleeps five and offers lots to do for those looking for activities to keep everyone entertained. The castle’s 72 acres boast woodland, an 18-hole golf course, tennis court and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.
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London
Best for: Fireworks extravaganza.
Where to ring in the New Year: The London New Year’s Eve Ball at Battersea Evolution.
You can’t talk about New Year’s Eve in the UK without mentioning England’s cosmopolitan capital, London. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people line the River Thames to catch a glimpse of London’s world-famous midnight fireworks display. Before taking your spot on the riverbank, choose from thousands of food and drink options at South Bank. The vibrant, bustling spot offers a diverse mix of stalls, selling everything from candyfloss to cocktails.
Featured property: The Pop Art House is a trendy home in Shadwell. It’s one of London’s hippest areas, near restaurants and nightlife. The house offers six guests accommodation in two double rooms and one twin. It’s stylish with exposed brick walls, bold colour schemes and unique furniture. In the sun room, there’s an indoor hot tub for guests who are looking for some R&R, while outside there’s an enclosed garden to enjoy popping open the bubbly and playing with sparklers at midnight.
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Lake District
Best for: Getting away from it all.
Where to ring in the New Year: Grill & Smokehouse at The Wild Boar in Windermere.
The Lake District is the perfect setting for those who want to get away from it all. Here you can mark the start of the New Year with a quiet, rural retreat or visit a large manor house with your nearest and dearest. The Cumbrian national park is home to stunning lakes and rugged mountains, making it the perfect destination for adventurers who enjoy hiking, cycling and getting out into nature.
Featured property: If you’re looking for somewhere to take the whole family to, The Oaks in Windermere is the place for you. This vast 19th-century country house sits amongst pretty woodland with views across the Lakeland fells. The Oaks, which sleeps 25 across 12 bedrooms, is a beautiful home in a tranquil setting with two hot tubs and a sauna, the perfect spots for relaxing. It also has a large living room with a charming log burner to kick back and enjoy a glass of wine in comfort.
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Manchester
Best for: Partying like it’s 1999!
Where to ring in the New Year: Cloud 23.
Manchester is a vibrant, bustling city that offers something for everyone. The city comes together to celebrate in Albert Square where a huge fireworks display kicks off 2020 in style. Across the city, numerous restaurants, bars and nightclubs host an exciting and eclectic range of New Year’s events. The Warehouse Project will host a line-up of the coolest dance DJs while the Manchester Concert Orchestra will provide a rousing soundtrack at The New Year’s Eve Gala at The Bridgewater Hall.
Featured property: Outside of the hustle and bustle of the city of Manchester is the town of Holmfirth and this converted former dairy. The simple but cosy cottage is just an hour away from the city centre. Guests can either venture into Manchester to celebrate New Year’s Eve or stay out in the countryside and spend an intimate evening in front of the fire. Set on a farm on the edge of the Peak Park and with easy access to the Pennine Way, The Dairy is a hiker’s dream.
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Cardiff
Best for: Festive fun and fireworks.
Where to ring in the New Year: Winter Wonderland at City Hall Lawn.
Cardiff’s magical Winter Wonderland is the perfect setting for a festive evening to mark the beginning of a New Year. Sip mulled wine in the apres ski-inspired Sur La Piste Bar, ride the rollercoasters at the funfair, glide across the ice rink or take a tour of the site on the brand new 250m-long, open-air ice trail, to enjoy the city’s fabulous fireworks show.
Featured property: This stylish and contemporary Cardiff City Townhouse is the perfect place for groups to set up camp for a wild New Year’s Eve in Wales. Authentic period features are complemented by bright, colourful finishes in all four of the Victorian townhouse’s bedrooms. Sleeping 10, it’s a short walk from lots of restaurants and bars.
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Stonehaven
Best for: Stonehaven Fireballs.
Where to ring in the New Year: Stonehaven high street.
Thousands flock to the small Scottish town of Stonehaven every December 31 to mark the New Year. Hogmanay is celebrated with Stonehaven Fireballs; the town’s traditional and unique fire and light show. As midnight chimes out, 40 men and women parade along the high street accompanied by drummers and bagpipes, swinging flaming balls around their heads before casting them into the harbour.
Featured property: The idyllic Dunnottar Woods House is set in pretty woods on the edge of Stonehaven. A short walk from the Stonehaven’s unique and traditional Hogmanay Celebrations, this location is the perfect New Year’s Eve retreat. The two-bedroom property can comfortably sleep five people and provides ample space for guests to relax at home. Enjoy some fresh air in the garden or venture out into the surrounding countryside.
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Allendale
Best for: Tradition (and whiskey!)
Where to ring in the New Year: Bar’l fire in Allendale town centre.
If tradition is what you’re after, Allendale is home to the Tar Bar’l; a traditional procession and fire festival. Visitors gather in the town to watch 45 guisers, made up of local men born in the Allen Valleys, in colourful outfits carrying whiskey barrels filled with burning hot tar. The ceremony, which has been celebrated for at least 160 years, ends with the barrels being used to light the Bar’l fire in the town centre.
Featured property: Two-bedroom barn conversion Finney Hill Green is set in peaceful surroundings on a 15-acre smallholding in Allendale. The warm and welcoming barn offers spectacular views over the surrounding countryside and retains much of the original building’s character and charm with arched windows, slate floors and a wood stove. Four people can stay comfortably in this sleek and stylish cottage in the heart of Northumberland.
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Llangynwyd
Best for: Ghost horses.
Where to ring in the New Year: The Corner House Pub.
The Mari Lwyd is an ancient tradition which used to be widespread throughout Wales but now survives in very few places, one of which includes Llangynwyd in Bridgend. Mari Lwyd (translation: ‘grey mare’) sees residents dress up in giant horse skulls, decorative bells and whistles, and parade around the area visiting homes.
Featured property: Ty Maen Cottage is a lovely cottage with panoramic views over open farmland, above the pretty Llyfni Valley. The three-bedroom cottage sleeps six and also welcomes up to three dogs. It is perfectly situated for families and groups who enjoy walking and being outdoors, with routes right from the doorstep and brilliant cycling areas nearby.
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