Surfing UK

If everybody had an Ocean
Across the old UK
Then everybody’d be surfing
Like Swansea-ai-ay…

Okay, that’s not quite the way the Beach Boys said it, but remember, the UK is an island, islands have lots of beaches and lots of those beaches have some amazing surf, so why be surprised that Jolly Old England is a popular surfing destination. In case you’re wondering why this article comes after summer is over, it’s because fall is the best time for British surfing, due to the relatively mild air and water temperatures combined with regular swells and less crowded beaches. So here are some gnarly spots for you to hang 10 on the other big island.

BEGINNERS

Watergate Bay, Cornwall

Let’s start with some easy spots for the beginners. Watergate Bay has two miles of beach at low tide, making it a great place for waves that are easy to handle and also makes it a less crowded alternative to nearby Newquay. If you’re looking for a surfing school, you can try the Xtreme Academy, which also teaches other extreme sports, water and otherwise. If you’re looking for a nearby accommodation where you can spread out, try the Beachcombers Apartments.

Saltburn, Cleveland

Heading from one end of the UK to the other, Saltburn located way up in the north east, where you’ll find friendly locals and good waves for beginners on both sides of the pier. The guys at Saltburn Surf Shop is located above the beach and offers everything from lessons to rentals to advice. After your adventure, you can enjoy a smoothie at Camfield’s Coffee Bar, and when it’s time to bed down for the night, there are some great Saltburn-by-the-Sea hotel options.

Llangennith, Gower, Wales

Arguably the most popular surf spot in Wales, this place appeals to surfers of all levels. Here you’ll find beach breaks all the way up and down the three-mile beach. It can get crowded, but if you walk far enough you should be able to find a spot of sand to call your own. Then it’s on to Swansea 15 miles away for a celebratory dinner and a well-deserved night of sleep in one of many hotels.

INTERMEDIATE

Bantham/Bigbury, Devon

Once you’re ready to go up to the next level, you’re ready for Bantham and Bigbury. These South Devon beaches offer a variety of peaks depending on the stage of the tide, and offer a much mellower and inviting local populace as other popular surf spots on the north coast and in Cornwall. Long rides on a long board are the specialty here, and if you want an organic culinary celebration after a full day of surfing, you’ll find at the nearby Venus Café. And also be sure to check out the Discovery Surf School. When it’s time to bed down for the night, the Tradesmans Arms Hotel is on Kingsbridge’s English Riviera makes a great choice.

Porth Neigwl/Hell’s Mouth, Gwynedd, Wales

Heading back down to North Wales, we find a four-mile long bay that is quite stunning. If there’s a non-surfer in the group, they’ll be quite happy just gazing out from the craggy rocks and cliffs lining the coast. Of course you’ll be just beneath those cliff and rocks getting in a great day of surfing! Days with big swells bring big crowds, but again, if you’re prepared to walk, you’ll find spots that you can call your own. The West Coast Surf Shop is a great place to stop before you hit the surf, and the four-star Egryn Hotel, close to Porth Neigwl Beach and Llanbedrog Beach, is a great place to stop afterwards.

EXPERTS

Thurso East, Scotland

Now that you’re ready for the big time, you’re ready to head north to Thurso East, one of the prettiest parts of the coast and also home to some of the best waves in all of Europe. Thurso East is a right-hand reef break over a flat, kelp-covered rock shelf, and when a big north-west swell hits, that’s when you’re in business. If you’ve made it this far, you’ll appreciate that the locals have made it further, and you’ll want to go out of your way to show them respect, starting with taking your turn in line. By the end of the day, you’re sure to be exhausted. Luckily for you, there are many comfortable beds awaiting you in the nearby Thurso hotels.

Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire

If you want your own personal beach, Freshwater West on the stunning Pembrokeshire coast is a good bet, as it boasts many many peaks all along the huge beach. Finding a wave to yourself is a real possibility here, and this is where you’ll also find one of the heaviest, scariest reef breaks in Wales. Be sure to ask around before you get into the water about the nearby firing range. If you stray into waters where you shouldn’t be, you’ll be lucky to get arrested and less lucky to be blown to smithereens! While you’re in the area, be sure not to miss the chance to explore the stunning beauty of the surrounding Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which is easy to access when you stay at the rustic four-star East Hook Farmhouse in Haverfordwest.