The 5 Coolest Surf Spots in the UK

Check out Cool Place's top five favourite surfing spots for your summer swell  – and better still, we've done the work for you and suggested somewhere to stay while you're there.

Croyde Bay Beach, Devon

Croyde Bay Beach is one of the UK's most famous surf spots, mostly for intermediate and advanced surfers due to the sometimes huge waves and consistently good surf. However, if you have the ability, it provides a great surfing hub, lots of like-minded people and a great North Devon location to enjoy, too. 

Our family-favourite Saunton Sands Hotel is only a 10-minute drive or 30-minute walk around the cliff to Croyde Bay, and would be a perfect spa stay for any surfer. And, if you're more of a beginner, there's plenty of surfing available on Saunton Sands Beach itself, and surf schools plenty, just a two-minute walk from your hotel.

Rhossili Bay, Llangenith

The Gower is home to some of the UK's favourite surf spots, and certainly Wale's best-known not-so-secret surf escapes. Rhossili Bay in particular is a stunning three-mile stretch, so there's plenty of space to spread out, and it offers consistent surf breaks all year round – suitable for beginners and intermediates.

The King's Head in Llangennith for a cosy pub stay to retire to after a long day of sun and sea. Or if you fancy staying in the glorious Mumbles, check out Langland Bay Manor, looking over the sandy and all-abilities surf spot, or The Oyster House, a City Pub Company property.

Porth Neigwl, Llyn Peninsula

Also known as Hell's Mouth, Porth Neigwl is an incredible North Wales surf spot that has people coming from all over the world to enjoy the surf. With its famous four miles of unbroken shoreline, it's incredibly popular with large waves that are fun for high-level surfers, and family-friendly spots for the less-experienced, too.

To Stay

The Piggery at Bert's Kitchen Garden is a comfy bolthole for two, while Porth Dinllaen is a five-bedroom holiday home with fabulous views of the LLŷn Peninsula. Neither is far from Hell's Mouth – around a 35-minute drive.

Fistral Beach, Newquay

Perhaps the UK's most famous surfing town, and one of Europe's most renowned surfing beaches, Fistral Beach is a stunning nearly five-mile stretch of soft sand, with waves for every level. It also hosts a number of national and international surfing events every year.

To Stay

Pentire Penthouse is as swanky as it sounds: a designer luxury apartment sleeping 8–10 people overlooking Fistral Beach and featuring its very own roof terrace and hot tub... sometimes surfers need to relax, too!

Thurso East, Scotland

Go North and keep going! Thurso, The British Isles’ most northerly town, is home to some of the best waves in Europe. They break over a shallow reef and aren't suitable for beginners, but advanced surfers are in for a whale of a time. Spectators will no doubt enjoy the backdrop of the Thurso Castle ruins.

To Stay

Check out John O'Groats Luxury Lodges and Apartments for a chic and comfortable stay on the very tip of the mainland, and just a half-hour drive from Thurso.

Browse our other guides and posts to surfing destinations, which have loads of terrific places to stay, visit, drink and eat:

Devon

Bantham Surfing Academy, Devon

Croyde Beach, Devon

Museum of Surfing, Devon

The Gower Peninsula

South Wales

North Wales

Cornwall

Body Board Tolcarne, Newquay

Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay