Why not get away for a coastal break this New Year? It’s an opportunity to blow away the Christmas cobwebs, breathe in some sea air and join the celebrations at coastal hotspots around the country.
To get you in the swing of the festivities, here’s a round-up of the best places to celebrate New Year on the coast.
St Ives, Cornwall
The Cornish love a bit of fancy dress. This is especially true on New Year’s Eve when St Ives residents and visitors take to the streets in colourful and comical costumes. It’s a real party atmosphere that is topped off with a fireworks display over the harbour at midnight.
For those who have over-indulged the night before, there are ample opportunities to freshen up and clear the hangovers on New Years Day. You could join the small crew of brave souls who take a dip in the chilly sea or go for a long walk along the south coast path for some much needed fresh air.
There are also loads of great places to stay in St Ives including several cosy cottages and townhouses with warming fires and an inviting ambience for making the most of a New Year’s break in Cornwall.
Inverness, Scotland
Scotland is renowned for its Hogmanay celebrations. One of the best places to combine revelry with fine coastal scenery is Inverness in the north of the country. Partygoers literally go to town on New Year’s Eve with a range of events and activities to liven up New Year celebrations.
Traditionally, the town puts on a massive free event called the Red Hot Highland Fling which entertains the crowds with an exciting mix of musical concerts, street performers and fireworks. This year might be a little more subdued than usual because of covid, but expect plenty of cheer and good times in the streets along the banks of the River Ness.
When the party’s over, visitors can explore the stunning coastline of the Moray Firth, hunt for Nessy at Loch Ness or head to the Highlands for mountain walks. The town makes a great base for a Scottish New Year break and there are some lovely places to stay in Inverness and in the nearby countryside.
Flamborough, Yorkshire
An eighth-century invasion by Vikings is commemorated each New Year’s Eve in the coastal village of Flamborough in East Yorkshire. The event kicks off with a fireworks display, followed by a torchlight procession and the burning of a replica Viking longship. It’s a fiery event that involves most of the village’s residents as well as visitors from nearby towns.
The village sits on the Flamborough Headland Heritage Coast, which is a scenic stretch of white chalk cliffs, small bays and historic lighthouses. It’s a beautiful spot to stretch the legs and burn some calories after Christmas and New Year festivities.
The best places to stay nearby are Bridlington and Filey, which are among Yorkshire’s finest seaside holiday towns with a wide range of accommodation options.
Weymouth, Dorset
For one of the biggest fancy dress parties in the UK, head to Weymouth in Dorset for New Year’s Eve. The streets and harbourside of this seaside town heave with partygoers dressed in elaborate costumes as they move from pub to pub. Everyone comes outside for the New Year countdown and erupt in celebration when the clocks chime midnight.
Once the party has subsided, it’s a lovely place to head outdoors for strolls along the promenade or to visit nearby attractions such as Chesil Beach or Portland Bill. It’s also the gateway to the wonderfully scenic and undulating stretch of coast that connects many of Dorset’s famous natural attractions including Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and Tyneham Cap.
There’s a huge selection of properties to choose from for a New Year’s holiday in the area. Weymouth has hundreds of holiday homes, while nearby Overcome and Osmington offer some inviting out-of-town options.
Fishguard, Wales
The annual Fishguard New Year’s Eve street party is regarded as one best festive events in Wales. The family-friendly celebration features live music, street food and drink and a fireworks display at midnight. The Pembrokeshire seaside town comes alive at New Year and is a special place to see out the old year and welcome the new.
When the party dies down, there is plenty on offer for holidaymakers to this beautiful part of Wales. Fishguard is a pretty harbour town surrounded by a stunning coastline of high cliffs, crags, coves and sandy beaches.
Days can be spent walking along stretches of the Pembrokeshire coast path or exploring the local ancient woodlands. If the conditions are calm a dip in the sea might be called for. Then there are the cosy pubs with roaring fires where visitors can enjoy good food accompanied by occasional musical performances.
As a popular holiday hotspot, there’s a good choice of cottages and holiday homes in Fishguard as well as interesting accommodations all the way along the Pembrokeshire coastline.
Stonehaven, Scotland
For something completely different, holidaymakers should make their way north of the border to Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire. Each New Year’s Eve the town’s streets are lit up in a fiery procession known as The Stonehaven Fireballs.
Held in the town for over 100 years, the annual Hogmanay event kicks off at midnight on New Year’s Eve when a group of pipers lead the way for the townsfolk who show their strength and bravery by swinging flaming balls of fire around their heads as they march along the street.
Besides the New Year’s celebrations, there are plenty of reasons to visit Stonehaven. It’s a picturesque harbour town, with many great beaches and castles nearby including the dramatic, cliff-top Dunnottar Castle. Stonehaven is a lively place for a winter break by the sea with a wide selection of Aberdeenshire sea view holiday homes available to rent.
Book a Coastal Break for New Year
To book a New Year’s stay in these fabulous coastal destinations or other seaside holiday resorts around the UK, simply search for available cottages and holiday homes with a sea view property finder.
