Best Surf Spots in the UK

Constantine Bay is a stunning crescent of sand on Cornwall's north coast, known for powerful, hollow waves that attract experienced surfers. Faces north-west and is fully exposed to Atlantic swells. W…

Crooklets is Bude's town beach, a reliable north-west-facing break that picks up Atlantic swells and produces quality beach break waves on sandy banks. Best at mid tide. More sheltered than exposed be…

Fistral is the spiritual home of British surfing and for good reason — it's one of the most consistent beaches in the country. Facing northwest on the exposed headland north of Newquay town, it picks …

Perranporth is a vast three-mile beach on Cornwall's north coast with consistent surf and far fewer crowds than Newquay. Facing north-west, it handles a range of swell sizes and works best at low to m…

Polzeath is one of Cornwall's most popular family-friendly surf beaches. Facing north-west on the north Cornish coast, it picks up plenty of Atlantic swell and offers gentle, forgiving waves ideal for…

Porthleven is Cornwall's premier reef break, producing powerful, hollow waves that break over a rocky shelf in front of the harbour wall. Facing south-west, it needs a decent swell to work and is best…

Porthtowan is a consistent north-coast beach break that picks up more swell than many nearby spots. The beach faces north-west and produces punchy, hollow waves at its best, especially on a pushing mi…

Sennen Cove sits at the tip of the Penwith Peninsula near Land's End, facing south-west into the Atlantic. One of Cornwall's most consistent spots, it picks up swell from a wide window and offers qual…

Watergate Bay is a dramatic two-mile stretch of sand just north of Newquay. The bay faces north-west and catches any Atlantic swell going, producing consistent waves across a range of tides. Popular w…

Widemouth Bay is a wide, flat beach south of Bude on the north Cornwall/Devon border. Faces north-west and catches plenty of Atlantic swell. The gently sloping beach produces mellow, forgiving waves i…

South Devon's best-known surf beach at the mouth of the Avon estuary. Needs a decent SW swell to work but produces quality waves with a river mouth sand bar creating hollow lefts and rights.

Croyde Bay is North Devon's best-known surf spot, producing powerful hollow beach break waves over a sandy bottom. Facing north-west, the horseshoe-shaped bay focuses swell and creates intense peaks, …

Saunton Sands stretches for three miles along the North Devon coast, backed by Braunton Burrows sand dunes. The beach faces north-west and produces long, peeling waves perfect for longboarding and mel…

Woolacombe is a three-mile golden sand beach in North Devon, one of the UK's most popular surfing destinations. Facing north-west, it catches Atlantic swells and offers waves for all abilities — from …

Freshwater West is Pembrokeshire's most powerful beach break, producing heavy, hollow waves that attract experienced surfers. Facing south-west, the beach is fully exposed to Atlantic swells and can h…

Beautiful south-facing beach in Pembrokeshire with a medieval castle backdrop. Works on S-SW swells with fun beach break peaks. Less exposed than Freshwater West.

Whitesands Bay — Traeth Mawr — is Pembrokeshire's best-known surf beach, tucked beneath the rocky headland of St Davids Head at the far western tip of Wales. This compact, south-west-facing beach pick…

Popular south-facing beach on the Gower Peninsula. Picks up S-SW swells and provides fun, sheltered waves. Great for beginners and intermediates.

Langland Bay is a sheltered cove on the Gower Peninsula, ideal for smaller swells and beginners. Faces south-west but is protected by headlands on both sides, so works best in bigger swells that wrap …

Llangennith sits at the north end of Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsula — the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The three-mile beach faces south-west and picks up every Atlantic swell, p…

Hell's Mouth — Porth Neigwl — is one of the most powerful and exposed beaches in Wales. Sitting on the southern coast of the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales, this sweeping four-mile bay faces south-west…

Porth Ceiriad is a secluded beach on the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales. Facing south-west, it picks up Atlantic swells that wrap around the peninsula and produces fun, uncrowded waves on a sandy botto…

Rest Bay at Porthcawl is South Wales's most accessible surf spot, with a car park right behind the beach and consistent waves year-round. Faces south-west and works best at mid tide. The European Surf…

Sheltered bay between Whitby and Saltburn. Works on bigger NE swells when other spots are maxed out. Beautiful setting with a small fishing village.

Saltburn is the north-east coast's most consistent surf spot, picking up North Sea swells that produce quality beach break waves on a sandy bottom. Faces east and works on all tides. The pier provides…

Long sandy beach just north of Whitby picking up NE-E swells. Consistent beach break with shifting peaks. Less crowded than Saltburn with good parking.

Scarborough North Bay is Yorkshire's primary surf spot, a sandy beach between the castle headland and the Spa. Faces north-east and picks up North Sea swells, producing fun waves for all levels. Best …

Tynemouth Longsands is the north-east's most popular surf beach, a long stretch of sand between two headlands. Faces east into the North Sea and produces fun, workable waves when North Sea storm syste…

One of Scotland's most consistent spots, picking up North Sea swells from NE through E. Long sandy beach with multiple peaks. Cold water but uncrowded.

Remote west-coast beach break on the Kintyre Peninsula. Picks up Atlantic swells and can produce excellent hollow waves. Worth the drive for uncrowded perfection.

Thurso East is Scotland's most famous wave and one of Europe's best right-hand reef breaks. Sitting on the north coast of Caithness, it picks up huge North Atlantic swells and produces perfect, barrel…

The South Coast's most accessible surf spot. Works on S-SE swells and can produce surprisingly fun waves. The pier creates a sandbar that focuses the swell. Popular with bodyboarders.