Celebrating the New Year in Gloucestershire

If you are looking to see 2012 out in style the good news is there are an array of parties in Gloucestershire to take your pick from.

Whether you are looking for a refined three course meal or a raucous knees-up there is something for all tastes and budgets.

From masquerade balls to toga parties there are any number of ways to wave goodbye to this year and welcome in the next. Live music features on the guest-list of a number events while others are offering everything from casinos to fireworks in order to keep you entertained.

The biggest New Year’s Eve party in the county is set to take place at Hempsted Meadows in Gloucester. On December 31 the site – usually used for car boot sales - will be transformed into a 1000 seater indoor concert venue courtesy of a giant heated marquee. It is the first event of its type at the Meadows and it promises to be one to remember with live entertainment from The Wurzels and the UK’s number one Elvis and Tom Jones impersonators.

Event organiser Tony Bowden said: “It is going to be a cracking night. We have a fantastic line-up of entertainment and tickets are selling fast. We have already sold 400 and our aim is to sell at least 700. Even if we don’t sell more than 450-500 it would still be a good effort for the first event there and the atmosphere will be brilliant.”

Revellers will be served shots on arrival and there is complimentary bubbly for every table at midnight. Sustenance will come in the form of a hog roast and there will also be live entertainment from young local talent including Sling singer Sophie Cotterell and member’s of Gloucester’s Increase The Peace youth project.

But for most people it will be the draw of Westcountry favourites The Wurzels that will make it a night to remember.

Tony said: “They are a lot of fun and they are guaranteed to get people up singing and dancing which is what it is all about. The other acts we have got are also great and it is nice to be able to give the youngsters a platform to perform.”

Proceeds from the event will also go to the Increase The Peace project.

For information on how to book tickets for the event and to see our pick of the other best New Year’s Eve destinations in Gloucestershire this year check out the list below.

1. Cheltenham Town Hall, Imperial Square, Cheltenham, GL50 1QA, 0844 576 2210.

What: Dinner (gold and platinum tickets only), disco and live music.

Times: Standard tickets from 9.30pm-2am, gold and platinum tickets 7.30pm-2am.

Price: Standard tickets £29.50, gold tickets £65 and platinum tickets £90 per person.

Where better to spend your New Year’s Eve than in one of Cheltenham’s most iconic buildings?

The Town Hall is opening its doors on December 31 for a glittering party featuring a disco, live music and a number of delicious dining options.

Revellers can choose from three different packages. The standard ticket gives you entry to the disco and concert, the gold includes champagne, canapés, reserved seating and a two-course meal, while the platinum package features all of the above plus a three course meal, a private balcony and bar.

Live music comes from local covers band the Chip Shop Boys who have supported the likes of Alexandra Burke, The Saturdays and the Fun Lovin’ Criminals.

2. Ingleside House, Beeches Road, Cirencester, GL7 1BN, 01285 648230.

What: Masquerade Ball.

Times: From 7pm.

Price: £50 per person.

The beautifully refurbished Ingleside House is pulling out all the stops for a New Year’s Eve to remember.

Starting at 7pm with a drinks reception the fun continues throughout the night culminating in a firework display and survivors breakfast after the clock has struck 12am. Before that there is a wide range of entertainment to enjoy including live DJ sets, a casino run by a burlesque host and a food court.

3. Cafe Rene , 31 Southgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1TP, 01452 309 340.

What: Fancy dress party.

Times: Open until 4am.

Price: £6 advance, £8 on the door.

Café Rene know how to throw a party and this New Year’s Eve is no exception.

The legendary venue is offering a heady mix of DJ sets, fancy dress fun and a free buffet.

The dress code for the night is novelty hats and moustaches. The music ranges from John Mustoe’s mix of R&B, hip hop and soul in the main bar, to cheesy tunes in the cellar area.

4. The Daffodil, 18-20 Suffolk Parade, Cheltenham, GL50 2AE, 01242 700055.

What: Three course meal and 1920’s and 30’s themed party.

Times: 7pm-2am.

Price: £100 per person.

A former art deco cinema, the Daffodil is taking its guests back in time this New Year’s Eve with a ‘Sparkling Speakeasy’ party.

Starting the evening with ‘prohibition cocktails’ or champagne and canapés, you will be served a decadent five course menu featuring delectable dishes including a terrine of confit duck and ham hock with gribiche sauce and toasted brioche.

After dinner you can let your hair down 1920s-style with a combination of dice, dollars and dancing accompanied by the JB Jazz Band. Guests are asked to add to the atmosphere with a 1920s and 1930s dress code.

5. The Prince Albert , Rodborough Hill, Stroud, GL5 3SS, 01453 755600.

What: Toga Party.

Times: Open until 3am

Price: Free.

One of Stroud’s most popular pubs, the Prince Albert is offering three bars full of fun on December 31.

Revellers are invited to don togas and head on down for a night of music and fun. In the venue’s own words, “think National Lampoon, throw in a bit of Elvis and come in your best Toga/sheet.”

6. Hempsted Meadows, Hempsted Bypass, Gloucester, GL2 5BT, 07716 502789.

What: ‘Oooh What A Night’ party featuring live music from The Wurzels and a hog roast.

Times: From 7pm.

Price: £35 per person VIP tickets £50 per person available for tables of 10, 11 or 12 people.

Gloucester’s biggest New Year’s Eve celebration will see Westcountry heroes The Wurzels providing the soundtrack to the end of 2012.

Hempsted Meadows will be transformed into a luxurious 1000 seat venue for the night, which also features live performances from the UK’s number 1 Elvis and Tom Jones tribute acts.

A welcome shot and hog roast are included in the ticket price as well as complimentary bottles of bubbly at midnight.

7. Two Pigs, Church Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3HA, 01242 226 030.

What: Indie disco.

Times: 9pm-5am (last entry 11.30pm)

Price: £6 advance, £9 on the door (includes free burger).

Offering two floors of the best indie, punk and rock around, Two Pigs is the place to be for alternative music fans this New Year.

With a veritable greatest hits collection of mass singalongs, indie floor-fillers and mosh-tastic tunes, the venue promises to see 2013 in with a bang.

There is also a courtyard and barbecue where you can claim your free burger in order to fuel you onwards to a bleary eyed and elated 5am finish.

8. Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall, Bondend Lane, Upton St Leonards, GL4 8ED, 0844 815 9077.

What: Black, White and Diamonds Party featuring a six-course meal and music.

Price: £67.50 per person.

For a decadent end to 2012 don your finest clothes and head to Bowden Hall.

The hotel is throwing a Black, White and Diamonds Party complete with a six course meal, casino and DJs.

The food on offer includes smoked salmon, a Champagne sorbet amuse bouche, honey roast duck breast and Belgian chocolates.

9. Monty's Brasserie , 41 Saint George's Road, Cheltenham, GL50 3DU, 01242 227678.

What: Seven course meal and/or live music from Vince Freeman.

Times: Dinner 7.30pm, An Evening With Vince Freeman from 8.30pm. Bar open until 2am.

Price: Dinner £85, An Evening With Vince Freeman £20, both £95.

To celebrate New Year’s Eve in style Monty’s is offering not one but two fantastic events.

The brasserie is serving up a stunning seven course feast while the cocktail bar downstairs is hosting local troubadour and star of TV talent show The Voice, Vince Freeman.

Diners will be greeted with prosecco and canapés before sitting down to a meal that includes Cornish scallops; lobster and crab tian and a main course of fillet of Angus beef Wellington.

While they eat, Vince will play the first of his sets to music fans downstairs – who will also start the night with a drink and canapés.

There will then be a break in proceedings where those dining upstairs can choose to join in the fun downstairs for Vince’s second set.

10. Liquid , 141 Eastgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1QB, 01452 410066.

What: Big Night Out party.

Times: 9.30pm-5am.

Price: £5.

Gloucester’s Liquid is promising one of the biggest and most spectacular club nights in the county this December 31.

Alongside the usual fun you can also expect lasers, dancers, stilt-walkers, spectacular pyros, and a chocolate fountain.