Iconic UK New Year’s Eve firework spot closed due to cost-cutting

London is a particularly popular city for New Year’s Eve, known for its amazing fireworks display over the River Thames. Revellers gather across the city to enjoy the spectacle, but one popular vantage spot is set to be closed this year.

People are being warned not to go to Primrose Hill, in Camden, for this year’s display as it will be closed as part of a cost-cutting measure. The park, which boasts amazing panoramic views of London, attracted around 30,000 people last year. However, it has been confirmed that the gates to Primrose Hill will be shut from 8pm on Tuesday (December 30) until 6am on New Year’s Day.

The Metropolitan Police announced earlier in 2025 that it would disband the Royal Parks police as it tried to fill a £260 million black hole in funding. The team helped respond to crime in green spaces such as Primrose Hill and Hyde Park.

The move means that Primrose Hill be shut to the public this New Year’s Eve as the force gear up to serve other areas of the city. Police have reminded revellers to avoid the spot and opt for other areas across the city to watch the fireworks display.

The Royal Parks charity, which manages Primrose Hill, previously said the capacity to manage crowds of the size that usually watch the fireworks on New Year’s Eve would be “severely diminished” by the police cuts. Meanwhile, the Met Police said it is “not accurate to suggest” the decision to shut Primrose Hill was necessary because the Royal Parks policing team was disbanded.

A Royal Parks spokesperson said: “The decision to close Primrose Hill on New Year’s Eve was not taken lightly. Last year an estimated 30,000 people visited Primrose Hill to view the Mayor of London’s New Year’s Eve firework display.

“This was not an organised event with an event organiser but a gathering in open parkland and we have limited controls that we can deploy to ensure public safety. Therefore, we have decided that Primrose Hill will be closed and locked from 8pm on December 30 until January 1.”

Commander Nick John, who is in charge of the Met’s New Year’s Eve policing, added: “The Royal Parks are urging people not to try to gather at Primrose Hill this year and we would echo those calls. Please make alternative plans. Anyone trying to access the park will find that it is not possible.”