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Medieval clapper bridge over the East Dart River at Postbridge on Dartmoor in West Country.
Where better to ring in the New Year than the beautiful West Country?

Renowned for it’s local celebrations, where you can watch fireworks light up the sky, enjoy a delicious meal, or dance the night away. You’re sure to have a ball celebrating New Year in the West Country!

Continue reading to plan an unforgettable New Years Eve… 


West Country New Year’s Eve Events

1. Bideford, Devon

 

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Pack that superhero costume and swoop down to Bideford Quay to join thousands of revellers. Widely regarded as the place to be in Devon at New Year, the town is closed to traffic and comes alive with crowds in all sorts of fancy dress outfits and an outdoor roadshow.

Traditionally, party goers would try to run the length of 13th century Long Bridge before St Mary’s church bells strike midnight; now the fireworks are the stars of the show.

Stay at The Cart Linhay, in a peaceful spot two miles from Bideford.

2. Dartmouth, Devon

 

To the south of the county, Dartmouth has a famous carnival atmosphere on New Year too. Everyone starts to assemble on the streets of the pretty Elizabethan town during the evening, with fancy dress and oodles of good cheer. The Boat Float, the inner harbour, is the epicentre of the party, with fireworks at midnight.

Stay at Dove Cottage, two miles from Dartmouth and with fabulous views of the River Dart.

3. Bovey Castle Dinner/Dance, Devon


The New Year ‘do’ at this swish hotel harks back to the Edwardian glamour of its early years, when it was grand country home to the heir of the WH Smith empire. Slip on your posh frock to join guests at an extravagant black tie dinner/dance with a champagne reception, five-course dinner, dancing to a live band and fireworks against the backdrop of Dartmoor.

Stay at Little Gate Cottage, a charming Grade II, thatched cottage just over a mile away from Bovey Castle.

4. St Ives, Cornwall

 

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Traditionally associated with beautiful art and peaceful seaside holidays, St Ives’ reputation for its New Year’s Eve buzz has spread. Thousands of people party in fancy dress through the lovely little streets, which close to traffic at 6pm, spilling down on to the beach to toast the new year and watch fireworks glitter over the harbour.

Stay at Chy Lowen, a stylish holiday home within walking distance of St Ives town centre.

5. Looe, Cornwall

 

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The Cornish know how to party as well as anyone! This is another little town which is famous for its New Year fancy dress celebrations and fireworks. And for little ones who can’t stay up til midnight, there’s a special fireworks display at 6pm, a great experience with the fishing boats in the harbour brilliantly lit for the occasion.

Recover at Cardwen Farmhouse, a welcoming base set on the outskirts of Looe.

6. Newquay, Cornwall


You can depend on Newquay for a jovial atmosphere and colourful New Year celebrations here are memorable, with a midnight countdown and rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne in the central square. Clear your head with a bracing New Year’s Day walk along the South West Coast Path!

Stay at Edgehill, a large semi-detached cottage in Port Isaac.

7. Weymouth, Dorset

Friends toasting glasses on New Years Eve.

Another fancy dress event, this a huge one with over 20,000 people partying merrily through the streets and down on the harbour front. People usually congregate from about 7pm, enjoying refreshments from food and beer tents, and drift towards live music in the town centre to count down to midnight.

Stay at Shepherd Oak – a truly stylish start to the new year.

8. Bridport, Dorset

Starting at dusk, revellers join the market town’s street party in fancy dress – the crazier the costume, the more it’s appreciated, so let your imagination run wild! The atmosphere gathers pace until you link arms for Auld Lang Syne in Bucky Doo Square at midnight. See if you have the stamina to plunge into the sea for the traditional Lyme Lunge in Lyme Regis the next day!

Stay at Cuckoo Cottage, a fabulous homestead within the town.