With New Year’s Eve approaching, it’s a great time to start planning the perfect way to celebrate, and sharing a road trip with your friends is one of the most fun and affordable ways to welcome in the new year. Whether you’re looking for a lively street party, spectacular firework displays or a quiet winter escape, the UK offers something for everyone.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best UK New Year’s Eve destinations, along with our top winter travel tips, to help you plan the perfect getaway.
1. St Ives, Cornwall
New Year’s Eve in St Ives has a reputation for being lively, from fancy dress to fireworks, the entire town transforms for the night. However, the New Year’s celebrations centre around the famous New Year’s Day swim – a local tradition that has become a must-do tourist activity.
Why visit St Ives for New Year’s Eve
- If you turn up in regular clothing, you could be the odd one out with the famous fancy-dress street party drawing in big crowds. Adults and kids alike join the parade with all kinds of costumes making an appearance.
- Join the crowd around the harbour to watch the spectacular fireworks display that acts as the grand finale for the night’s scheduled events.
- The New Year’s Day swim brings together locals and visitors alike at Porthmeor Beach. Participants of all ages take the plunge into the crisp winter waters to kick-start the year with a cold dip.
Road trip tips:
- Parking can be limited around the town. It’s best to try and park as early as you can or stay in accommodation close to the action and walk to your destination.
- Coastal roads can be narrow and often icy in winter. Make sure to drive slowly and carefully, allowing extra time to get to your destination.
- If you’re looking to share the driving, short-term insurance is the perfect solution allowing multiple drivers to share the load on a single vehicle.
2. London
When it comes to New Year’s Eve, London is still the most popular destination to see incredible fireworks. Every year the capital hosts one of the world’s most-watched New Year’s Eve firework displays along the Thames, with thousands of people congregating along the banks of the river and millions watching on their TV from home.
Why visit London for New Year’s Eve
- The famous fireworks display along the Thames is a must-see attraction, bringing visitors from all over the world.
- The New Year’s Day Parade is another must-see event, known as one of the biggest New Year’s events on the planet.
- River cruises are a popular choice among tourists visiting for New Year’s Eve, offering a unique perspective of the fireworks display with food and drink onboard.
- Traditional pub celebrations are popular in London for New Year’s eve, with many offering their own events.
- There is an endless choice of hotels, restaurants and alternative New Year’s celebrations to enjoy throughout the city.
Road trip tips:
- Avoid driving into central London on New Year’s Eve due to the busy crowds. Staying just outside of the action also means you can avoid the Congestion Charge Zone.
- Public transport runs late throughout the city, but many travellers prefer the flexibility of a car for arrival and departure.
- Sharing a vehicle for your road trip to visit the city is beneficial for the problems you could encounter with city parking and allows everyone to take turns behind the wheel.
3. Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital city is the ideal place to celebrate New Year’s Eve, with the annual Hogmanay event drawing tourists from all over the world. This 4-day party dates back to 1993 and has become one of the most popular New Year’s Eve events and one of Scotland’s most important holidays. The event usually includes a massive outdoor street party, a live concert and fireworks display among other exciting attractions.
Why visit Edinburgh for New Year’s Eve
- An outdoor concert and a huge street party provides the ultimate New Year’s Eve atmosphere.
- The iconic Torchlight Procession is the perfect way to bring in the New Year, giving a taste of Scotland’s best live performers and music.
- There’s something for all the family, including storytelling and lantern displays for the younger audience.
- Highlighted as one of the ‘Top 100 things to do before you die’, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
Road trip tips:
- Scotland often experiences snow and ice in late December/early January so it’s important to be prepared for wintery conditions on the roads.
- Plan your parking in advance as many central areas will close for the Hogmanay events.
- Depending on your starting point, a road trip to Edinburgh can be quite a distance, so it’s important to ensure the driver gets enough rest and doesn’t get tired behind the wheel. With short-term car insurance you can share the drive among your passengers, giving other people a turn behind the wheel.
4. Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
If you’re looking for a truly unique UK New Year’s Eve destination, Stonehaven is the place for you. Home to the ancient Fireballs Festival, a fiery procession dating back more than 100 years, Stonehaven is a town based on the northeast cost of Scotland. It’s annual Fireballs Festival sees men and women parading up and down the High Street swinging flaming balls around their heads to symbolically burn away bad spirits.
Why visit Stonehaven for New Year’s Eve
- The Fireballs Festival is one of the most unique and unusual New Year’s celebrations in Europe, offering a very different way to see in the new year.
- With a procession of live performers and a fireworks display, there is a lot to keep you entertained for the evening.
- This event is a great option for travellers wanting to experience a traditional Scottish event without having to contend with the crowds at the likes of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay event.
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Road trip tips:
- Stonehaven is easy to reach via car; however, in the winter months you should be prepared for coastal winds, frost and even snowy conditions when driving.
- Accommodation fills up early for this event so it’s important to book in advance.
- Plan your parking before setting off for the event. There are car parks and street parking available throughout the town, but these will be busy on the night of the event so be sure to arrive with plenty of time.
- Like Edinburgh, Stonehaven could be quite a distance to travel for many, so it’s important to ensure the driver is getting enough rest and can effectively concentrate on the roads. If you need to swap drivers, you can easily share the load with short-term car insurance.
5. The Lake District
For a quieter alternative to many of the lively New Year’s Eve celebrations that the UK has to offer, The Lake District offers an escape from the crowds in a beautiful landscape. If you’re dreaming of a peaceful end to the year, you can unwind in a cosy cottage or relax in a spa hotel after a day exploring the natural scenery.
Why visit The Lake District for New Year’s Eve
- The Lake District is home to many spa hotels, allowing visitors to have the ultimate relaxing trip set in the stunning scenery of the countryside.
- With an abundance of scenic walks and hiking trails, you’re spoilt for choice if you want to escape the crowds and bring in the new year surrounded by nature.
- If you want to join a specific New Year’s Eve event, there are many pubs and hotels that offer events to help you bring in the new year in style.
Road trip tips:
- Roads in The Lake District often get icy, especially around higher mountainous routes, with not many always being maintained by gritters so you should be aware of this when driving around.
- Check the road conditions before heading out at there can be quite remote areas in The Lake District so it is important that you are prepared before you set off.
- Many attractions and walking or hiking trails have their own dedicated car parks. Try and use these if you can rather than parking along busy or fast roads.
- There are lots of fantastic driving routes throughout The Lake District. To give different people the chance to experience driving these routes, short-term car insurance can be the perfect solution.
FAQs
Where is the best place to spend New Year’s Eve in the UK?
London, Edinburgh and St Ives top the list for lively celebrations with fantastic fireworks displays, whilst The Lake District is ideal for a quieter start to the new year.
What is the most family-friendly New Year’s Eve destination?
St Ives and Edinburgh’s New Year’s Eve events offer lots of family-friendly attractions, including fireworks and festive entertainment.
Do I need insurance to drive someone else’s car on a road trip?
Yes, you need to ensure you have the correct cover to be able to drive a friend or family member’s vehicle or share the driving on a road trip. Short-term car insurance is an easy, flexible option for driving a car that you don’t own or aren’t covered on with yours or the owner’s annual insurance policy.
Winter driving tips for your New Year road trip in the UK
Winter road trips in the UK come with their own challenges. Before setting off, you should keep these essential tips in mind:
- Check your vehicle before travelling: this should include a check of your tyre pressure and tread depth, oil and screen wash levels and that your lights are working as they should be.
- Check predicted weather conditions: make sure you’re prepared for the predicted weather with a reliable weather app so you know what type of conditions you could encounter on your journey.
- Pack winter essentials: in the event you end up stuck in a remote location, a winter essentials kit will come in handy. Include essentials such as, warm clothing and gloves, an ice scraper and de-icer, a torch, phone charger, drinks and snacks.
- Drive cautiously: make sure you are reducing speed in icy conditions and turning on your fog lights when necessary. Increase your stopping distance if needed and stick to main roads if the conditions are making driving difficult on smaller, less maintained roads.
- Share the driving safely: long journeys are easier when shared between multiple drivers. With short-term car insurance you can get insured on your friend or family member’s car for as little as just an hour.
For a full guide on driving during the winter season, check out our recent blog post with our top tips, FAQs and a handy checklist for preparing your car for winter driving.
Travelling this New Year? Get on the road with Dayinsure
Whether your New Year’s Eve plans include the bustling crowds of the bigger cities like London and Edinburgh or you’re planning to escape to the tranquillity of The Lake District, having the correct insurance for your journey is essential.
Our short-term car insurance is flexible and affordable. Even better you can be covered in minutes using our helpful app. With cover from just one hour up to 30 days, you can get cover for your New Year’s Eve road trip and even share the driving with your friends or family. Get a quote today and save money on your policy using our app.
