Where to watch the New Year's Eve Fireworks in London

The annual New Year's Eve Fireworks display, launched from the foot of the London Eye and from rafts on the Thames, is visible from most of central London: the basic rule is that if you can see the London Eye, you'll be able to see the show. They cram enough firepower for an hour-long display into ten explosive minutes, lighting up the sky for miles around. The best views are from Victoria Embankment, the South Bank, and Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge. Hungerford Bridge is closed after 8pm and there's also no entry to Westminster Bridge after this time. Watched by half a million people, in 2014 the organisers introduced ticketing for 100,000 in order to prevent overcrowding. Go to www.london.gov.uk for full details.

Avoid the £10 charge and ensure you secure yourself a great spot to watch all of the fireworks set off at midnight this New Year's Eve by watching on from Cannon  Street. In the midst of St Paul's Cathedral, Mansion House and Bank, it's just outside of the ticketed area but still a great central riverside location to enjoy the city scenery as London is set alight once again to celebrate the beginning of a brand new year. Further options include Tower Bridge, which is found just round the bend from ticketed areas, Southwark Bridge and Millennium Bridge, both of which are prime spots but could get busy. A further option is Parliament Hill, which will offer a distant view but have the advantage of being less crowded and boasting views of other displays across the capital. Where ever you choose to watch the display from, be sure to arrive early, be prepared to get squished and keep in mind that Cannon Street tube station may well be closed from 8pm. 

Book a table at Jimmy's Lodge On The River this New Year's Eve, presented by Jimmy Garcia of Jimmy's Pop Ups fame. Serving a menu of cured gravlax salmon, smoked goat's curd and game terrine on brioche toast, traditional alpine fondue, and winter spiced crème brûlée, the Lodge will be open especially for the occasion and, located right on the Thames, it's the perfect spot to see the famous fireworks display. Guests will be greeted by a cocktail on arrival and treated to unlimited beer and wine all night long, as well as bubbles at midnight. 

Found on level 31 of The Shard and offering a 270-degree view of London, Aqua Shard is an obvious choice to enjoy the famous New Year's Eve fireworks. Removing the street of crowds from the equation, guests will be invited to enjoy a five-course dinner, live music and a DJ from midnight. Dinner tickets cost £395, which include the five-course meal, half a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and entertainment, or there's the option of adding three glasses of accompanying wine chosen by the sommelier for an extra £55. Celebration bar table cost £275 per guest while bar tickets are £150 and include a glass of champagne on arrival, canapes and entertainment until 3.30am. Live music comes from The Spinettes followed by a DJ.

Sky Bar, located atop the iconic Millbank Tower, is hosting an extravagant New Year's Eve Party again this year, inviting Londoners to see in 2017 while enjoying fantastic views across central London. Guests will be treated to a bellini cocktail on arrival and will also be able to enjoy complimentary food from a number of food stalls serving Spanish tapas, Jamaican jerk, all American and traditional British dishes. There will be outstanding views of the world famous firework display from the London Eye at midnight - to be enjoyed with a glass of champagne included in the ticket price - and a DJ will bring the dance floor to life until the early hours. The standard and VIP tickets also include a luxury champagne breakfast with smoked salmon and caviar served from 5am.

Following five sell-out years, A Vintage New Year's Eve Party is back. The huge party sees the Royal Festival Hall transformed into five floors of set-dressed entertainment including seven pop-up vintage nightclubs, stylish dining, a hair and beauty salon, photo studios and a private terrace overlooking London's world-famous New Year's Eve fireworks. Entertainment will come from The Torch Club, celebrating the '20's, '30's and '40's big band sound, Alex Meedham and his 18 piece orchestra and Mark & Hoc, on hand to guide guests through the steps of some period party dances. The Tiki Bar serves colourful cocktails and samba and after midnight the Clore Ballroom transforms into an intimate cabaret club. With disco dancing, musical bingo and karaoke thrown in for good measure, it's a hell of a way to see in 2018.

Renowned for their Ibiza boat parties, Pukka Up a re coming to London this New Year's Eve to send off 2016 in style. The Pukka Up New Year's Eve Boat Party offers a front row seat to the world-famous fireworks as well as an evening of huge house tracks from 2016 and the latest sounds for 2017. Guests will be greeted with a bubbly reception and will be able to buy Cava bottles all night, before making their way to an after party at The Qube Project. VIP options are available, with access to the VIP area, private DJ and a bottle of Cava upon arrival.

SushiSamba once again celebrates New Year's Eve with a traditional Reveillon party this year. Paying homage to Yemenja, the Brazilian goddess of the sea, Reveillon is held every year in Brazil and sees white-clad revellers place candlelit offerings afloat on the water. SUSHISAMBA will recreate this with live entertainment, DJs, samba dancers and an all-white dress code. Guests can choose from a number of packages, from early and late dinners, which all include a welcome cocktail, canapes and a special sharing menu, to the celebration ticket, which includes entry to the party, a welcome cocktail and canapes. With the restaurant boasting fantastic views across the London skyline, you'll no doubt be able to enjoy numerous firework displays at midnight but there is no direct view of the London Eye display - this will be shown on screens in the restaurant at midnight.

Providing 'the ultimate view of the Mayor of London's fireworks', Hutong is the perfect spot to spend New Year's Eve. The restaurant will be serving a five-course northern Chinese menu of sharing dishes, along with half a bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne. There will be entertainment during dinner and after guests will be able to enjoy the fireworks and join the party on Level 31 in Aqua Shard, where a DJ will play until the early hours. Alternatively, guests can opt to stay at the table for after-dinner drinks. Dinner tickets are £345 and bar tickets are £120, which include a glass of champagne on arrival and a dim sum platter.

Promising the ultimate party, Sky Garden is hosting a Great Gatsby New Year's Eve once again this year. Set against a backdrop of city views and Sky Garden's luscious tropical greenery, the party invites you to don your chicest Great Gatsby attire - think smoking jackets, faux fur and velvet shawls - and party the night away to live music and late-night DJs. There's the option to attend just the party or go all out with one of the dining packages in the Fenchurch Restaurant or Darwin Brasserie.

Stopping right in front of the London Eye at midnight, the ElectronicSessions New Year's Eve Fireworks Boat Party provides the best possible view of the firework display - ten years of events offer them priority over other organisers. With two fully heated floors, tickets from 75 and two bars serving drinks at generous prices - they promise no NYE hikes - it will also offer comfort and value. Guests will be treated to the best '80s, '90s, club classics and disco tracks throughout the night.

After its sell-out success last year, the Big Bang New Year's Eve Boat Party returns to help guests see in 2018 in style. The five-hour long cruise will provide the chance to enjoy 360 degree views of London from the large outdoor deck and will offer a front row seat to the spectacular fireworks display at midnight. There will be a live DJ playing a mix of commercial hits and club classics, a hot buffet to fuel the partying, a glass of bubbly on arrival and unlimited wines, beers and soft drinks for the duration. The dress code is 'smart and classy' so be sure to give trainers, sportswear and hoodies a miss.

Sitting atop the Mondrian London hotel on the South Bank, the Rumpus Room offers spectacular views of the city so, despite not having a view of the official London Eye display, you can almost guarantee that you'll get to witness a firework display or two on New Year's Eve. The celebrations kick off with a champagne reception followed by an open bar all evening, which will allow guests to enjoy free flowing house wine, Heineken beer and a selection of spirits in 25ml pours. The evening will also include live music from a five-piece band and a late-night set from the resident DJ.