Frosty green waves, ominous grey skies and wearing a jumper underneath your wetsuit – it’s British surfing season again. Here are seven of the best beaches to hit now that the crowds have gone and the waves are picking up. Gnarly.
A pretty, sheltered beach near Mumbles, Caswell is beginner-friendly, with surf that tends to be big enough to give you a challenge but small enough to stop you wiping out mid wave. There’s year-round reliable swell and a cosy little cafe serving amazing hot chocolate to help you get rid of the water’s chill post session.
2. Sennen Cove, Cornwall
Surf off the edge of this sceptred isle, quite literally. Just north of Land’s End, Sennen Cove boasts the goldens sand and crystal clear water that Cornwall is so famous for. One of the most consistent breaks in Britain, autumn is the perfect time to cart your board to Sennen, as the summer holidaymakers are gone but the sea is still warm.
3. Woolacombe Bay, Woolacombe, North Devon
The three mile long space stretching from Morte Point cliffs to Putsborough boasts clean water, acres of sand dunes to explore and a rainbow of beach huts. Tons of surfing competitions and events call Woolacombe home, and if it’s a flat day never fear! The nearby Golden Coast Holiday Park has an amazing Wavesurfer, a unique undercover surfing simulator you can practise popping up on.
4. Fistral Beach, Newquay, North Cornwall
Fistral Beach in Newquay is the social hub for British surfing, home to Boardmasters festival, professional riders, surf mags and a plethora of rental shops and surf schools – try Fistral Surf Hire, which is right on the beach. The golden sands, Atlantic breakers and close proximity to eight other beaches make it a no brainer for intermediate surfers.
5. Alnmouth Beach, Northumberland
After some peace and quiet? The little village of Alnmouth is tucked on the Northumberland coast and, far from the madding crowds, and its beach is a wild bird haven that you’ll probably only share with a few dog walkers in the colder months.
6. The Witterings, West Sussex
A warm stretch of sand known as God’s pocket will tempt you out into the mostly gentle surf at this remote spot. It can get busy in the lineup so get there early for a dawn surf with the place to yourself.
7. Pease Bay, Scotland
A beautiful beach easily accessed from Edinburgh, Peaese Bay is one of the best surfing spots on the East Coast of Scotland. The varied swell makes it ideal for surfers of all levels.
