Top Surfing Spots in the UK

With all the fantastic weather we’ve been enjoying lately, getting away for the weekend to the beach is high up on my to-do list. A trip to the British seaside doesn’t just mean an ice cream and a bucket and spade these days, but a wealth of great watersports to rival Australia’s gold coast. Yes, the water may be slightly colder than elsewhere but once you’ve got your wetsuit on, you can hardly tell the difference, I promise! Here’s our guide to the UK’s best surf destinations…

Fistral Beach, Newquay

…Ideal for surfers of all abilities…

Newquay consistently comes in the top 20 of best global surfing destinations so it’s hardly a surprise that Fistral Beach is packed at the first sign of a decent swell.  Surfing first hit Cornish shores in the 1960s and its popularity shows no signs of abating today.  Fistral is a great place for beginners with lifeguards manning the beach throughout the summer and plenty of fellow surfers on hand to offer advice.  This is also the destination for major surfing competitions attracting pros from across the globe thanks to waves of up to 12 metres high.  If you’re planning a holiday to Newquay, the English Surf School caters to water babies of all abilities with surfing lessons for beginners, body boarding and coasteering available.

Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire

…Best for experienced surfers…

The Pembrokeshire coast is blessed with some of the UK’s most stunning beaches and great waves to boot.  The sand and rocky beach at Freshwater West, not far from the village of Castlemartin within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, is no exception.  The strong rip currents just off the beach mean that the consistently good waves here are strictly for experienced surfers.  It’s also the venue for the Welsh National Surfing Championships so it’s ideal for beginners looking for inspiration.  Those who prefer to keep both feet on dry land aren’t left out at Freshwater with a thatched stack used for decades to dry seaweed for making laverbread, a local speciality.

This beach is just one of many surfing in Wales opportunities that you must try!

Pease Bay, Scottish Borders

…Good for those ready to brave the cold…

Within easy reach of Edinburgh, the sandy beach at Pease Bay has become popular with surfers of all ages and abilities.  But beware; Scottish water is cold.  If a wetsuit is a good idea in UK waters, it’s, without doubt, a must if you’re planning a surfing holiday in Scotland even on the warmest of days.  The surf is consistently good here the entire length of the beach so you’ll often be sharing the water with other surfers on a particularly good day.  The area also has golf, cycling and a beautiful nature reserves to tempt you on days when the water is flat.

Fancy heading to the beach this weekend?  Why not take a look at coastal cottages for some inspiration for a last-minute break?  Just pack your beach towels and suncream and off you go!