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| Bideford Fancy Dress |
If you can think of it, someone will be wearing it in Bideford, from grown men in nappies to ladies in rabbit costumes. 20,000 visitors mean all the Quayside pubs are packed, and people mingle and dance in the streets. As midnight approaches, many gather on the medieval Long Bridge to watch the fireworks and listen to the parish church bells ringing in the New Year. Get into costume at Peelers Cottage.
Said by The Times to be in the top four places in the UK to celebrate New Year, the small Cornish town of Looe again sees huge numbers of people in fancy dress fill the pubs, restaurants and streets before a fireworks display on the Banjo pier. If fireworks are your thing, prime viewing spots are the promenade and beach at East Looe or the eastern end of Hannafore promenade. Start your countdown at Samuels Cottage.
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| Revellers in Looe |
People from miles around flock to Cawsand as the entire village dons fancy dress and goes promenading before fireworks on the beach at midnight. Large groups often have themed dress: there were 24 carrots one memorable year and someone dressed as a policeman was teased all night until he revealed himself to be the real thing! To wash away the hangovers, there's a charity fancy dress New Year's Day swim, with prizes for the best dressed. Peel your carrots at Draystone.
The New Year arrives with a splash in several other West Country towns, and last year more than 100 people braved the elements to celebrate New Year's Day with a dip in the sea in Wembury, Devon. The swim is an annual event – now in its 8th year with more people taking part each year. Dry off at Creek House.
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| Newquay Fancy Dress |
Other hot spots famous for their atmosphere and antics include Exmouth, Dartmouth, St Ives and, of course, Newquay.