15 of the Best Adrenaline-Filled Outdoor Activities in the UK
Are you looking for an adrenaline-filled outdoor activity near you? Then use our guide to find your inner adventurer...
The UK is known for having plenty of exceptional beaches, many of which are popular hotspots with keen surfers, hoping to ride the wild waves that crash ashore…
With enough beaches to rival Australia’s Gold Coast and a thriving surfing culture up and down the country, it should come as no surprise to hear that there are plenty of places to go surfing in the UK! So, whether you’re a complete novice and hoping to pick up some skills or a seasoned pro, you’ve come to the right place.
Keep scrolling to uncover all the best surfing spots in the UK and find your next favourite place to ride the waves…
• Surfing Beaches England
• Surfing Beaches Wales
• Surfing Beaches Scotland
• Surfing Beaches Northern Ireland
The largest and most popular beach in the bustling resort town of Newquay, Great Western Beach is considered to be the town’s ‘original’ surfing beach, made famous by the likes of Roger Mansfield, who pioneered the sport in the town in the 1960s and gave it the nickname “Surf City”.
Since then, this UK surfing hotspot has seen thousands upon thousands of people flock here to ride the waves, owing to the establishment of seven surf schools that can be found here today. No matter which one you choose, you can channel the spirit of the sixties pioneers by hiring out boards for yourself or taking some lessons to learn the basics of this tricky watersport.
You can quite easily spend a full day riding the wild waves at this North Cornwall beach, so when you’re feeling a bit peckish and looking for somewhere to eat afterwards, there are plenty of places to choose from. For fish and chips, TCE will be sure to tick all the boxes, whereas the Great Western Surf Café can give you a much-needed caffeine boost. Alternatively, The Secret Garden can suffice if you’re looking for something a bit stronger!
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Newquay Station Car Park or Albany Road Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display (both)
Lifeguard: Yes (18th May – 29th September)
Postcode: TR7 2NE
Tucked away in the far reaches of Northumberland, close to the Scottish border, Beadnell is a bustling seaside resort town with an exceptional beach that’s perfect for surfing. Found just outside the village, around a 20-minute walk from the high street, there’s also a spacious car park on the beachfront for those of you who would prefer to drive to this surfing hotspot.
Stretching nearly 1.5km in length around Beadnell Bay, this beach is easily one of the best surfing spots in the UK, particularly for those of you looking for quieter spots where you can really practice and hone your skills. For those of you looking for lessons, the KA Surf School can be found right next to the car park, which runs surfing lessons all year round.
Then, once you’re all finished up for the day, we’d highly recommend stopping off at THE BAE & Beadnell to enjoy one of their freshly made pizzas or flocking to The Landing restaurant on the other side of the car park to enjoy a relaxing meal, the perfect way to unwind after a day of riding the waves!
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Beadnell Bay Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: No
Postcode: NE67 5EE
Found on the North Devon coast and nestled firmly within the area’s designated National Landscape, Croyde Beach is tucked away between the Baggy Point headland to the north and a rocky outcrop to the south, drawing in roaring waves that make this a hotspot for surfers. In fact, it was even named by Red Bull as the best surfing beach in the UK back in 2018!
Backed by gorgeous sand dunes that stretch from the beach to the edge of town, this stunning stretch of golden sand has been left largely untouched by development, making it a wonderful place to take in your surroundings as you ride the wild waves that crash ashore here.
With a beach volleyball school situated here, you’ll also find the Surf South West surfing school perched on the northern end of the beach, where you can hire out equipment for your session or book lessons with their instructors. Whichever you choose to do, this beach is a must-visit for surfing enthusiasts if you’re spending your next break in Devon!
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Down End Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: Yes
Postcode: EX33 1FF
Tucked away on the beautiful Kent coast, Viking Bay is known for being one of the original surfing hotspots in the UK, first surfed back in the 1960s when this popular Californian watersport reached the UK. Today, it still draws in thousands of visitors every year, including plenty of holidaymakers.
According to Kent Surf, the waves here are best tackled by using longboards during low-to-mid tides, whereas high tide is the perfect time to use shortboards and bodyboards. On the beach itself, you’ll find plenty of facilities, including a block of public toilets, the Viking Bay Café and even a historic lift that brings beachgoers to and from the promenade and the golden sand below.
Not only that, you’ll also find a wonderful museum right next to the beach that’s dedicated to the life and work of Charles Dickens! No matter what you’re hoping to get up to, we’d highly recommend finishing the day off with a delicious meal at one of the town’s seafront restaurants, two of the best being The Jetty and The Tartar Frigate.
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Broadstairs Harbour Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: No
Postcode: CT10 1EU
Known for being one of the largest beaches in Cornwall, the entirety of Perranporth Beach, which leads onto Perran Sands, stands at over three and a half kilometres in length. So, if you’re hoping to head here for a day of wave-riding, then you won’t need to worry about finding plenty of space!
Easily accessible from the town of Perranporth or via the South West Coastal Path, this popular Cornwall surfing beach is conveniently located almost right in the middle of the North Cornwall coast, making it easily accessible from the rest of the county. Not only is it popular with surfing enthusiasts, but it’s also considered to be one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall, with no restrictions in place throughout the year, also making it one of the must-visit beaches in Cornwall.
Although this beach is considered to have great surfing conditions year-round, it’s worth noting that the Surf Forecast suggests that the best waves rock up here during the winter, especially at high tide. Once you’re all finished up with your surf session, we’d highly recommend heading back to the entrance of the beach to relax and unwind at The Watering Hole, a fantastic bar nestled right on the sand.
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Promenade Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: Yes
Postcode: TR6 0AQ
A long-time favourite of tourists and holidaymakers, Lyme Regis Beach is highly regarded as one of the best places to go surfing on the South coast, drawing in thousands of wave-riders throughout the year no matter the weather! Favourably known by locals as “The Pearl of Dorset”, Lyme Regis makes for a wonderful place to go surfing, even if you’re just trying the sport out for the first time.
According to the Surf Forecast, the best time to come here to ride the waves is during the winter, when the conditions are much windier. Due to the beach’s small size and lack of curvature, surfers should aim to catch the offshore winds arriving from the north west when surfing here. Alternatively, if you’re just hoping to try out surfing for the first time, bringing a shortboard or bodyboard along with you would be a good place to start, as the small waves can give you a nice introduction to the sport.
Then, once you’re all finished up for the day, why not head back onto the promenade to enjoy one of the many historic pubs or restaurants here? One of the best recommendations is The Harbour Inn, a quaint restaurant that sits right on the entrance to The Cobb, Lyme Regis’ historic harbour. Perfect for seafood lovers, it makes for a wonderful place to stop off and enjoy some locally caught produce and a drink or two!
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Monmouth Beach Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: Yes
Postcode: DT7 3JF
Found on the beautiful South Wales coast in the county of Bridgend, Sandy Bay Beach is one of two fantastic surfing beaches in the area, the other being the neighbouring Trecco Bay. Popular with both locals and tourists who flock to Porthcawl for their holidays every year, this fantastic surfing beach is arguably one of the best in Wales due to its large size and perfect curvature.
Whilst Trecco Bay is considered to be better for windsurfing, those of you hoping to bring out your longboards won’t be disappointed with the waves that rock up at Sandy Bay Beach. In fact, it’s even been the host of multiple national and European surfing competitions over the years!
Here, the winds blow ashore from a southwesterly direction and are best experienced during high tide. Great for both experienced and novice surfers, you can easily spend a full day riding the waves here. Then, when you’re all done for the day, we’d highly recommend stopping off somewhere like the 1832 Restaurant for a delicious bite to eat whilst taking in the impeccable views of the bay.
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: 7 Eastern Promenade Car Park
Parking Charge: Free
Lifeguard: Yes
Postcode: CF36 5BT
Nestled on the Anglesey coast, just a short drive away from the town of Rhosneigr, Porth Trecastell (or Cable Bay) can be found just off the A480 and makes for a fantastic place to go surfing, no matter if you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned veteran! Tucked between two steep coastal cliffs that channel the wind towards the shore, the waves here are often big and strong enough for a proper surfing session, drawing in enthusiasts from all over the island.
With a spacious car park set back from the beach, you won’t have to trek far to get onto the golden sands from here, as the hill slopes gently down to the beach and can be reached in less than a few minutes. After spending the day riding the wild waves here, why not take a short drive northwards into Rhosneigr to enjoy a bite to eat? One of the best places we’d recommend stopping off at is The Oyster Catcher, arguably one of the most popular and recognisable restaurants on the island. Not only does it serve up delicious seafood, but it also offers breathtaking views of the sea and makes for a wonderful place to unwind and relax.
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Maes Parcio Porth Trecastell
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: No
Postcode: LL63 5TE
Another fantastic spot on the Isle of Anglesey that’s massively popular with surfers, Traeth Llydan is nestled just outside the town of Rhosneigr and makes for a fantastic place to try out this tricky sport! However, due to the amount of submerged rocks and rip tides that occur here – mainly at the southern end of the beach – it’s recommended that you surf towards the northern end of the beach at low tide.
For those of you hoping to try out surfing for the first time or needing to brush up on your skills, the local Gecko Surf School can help you out, offering lessons for all ages and abilities. Not only is it a popular spot for surfers, but you’ll also find plenty of wind and kite surfers riding the waves here. Being so close to this popular tourist town, this Welsh surfing beach also draws in plenty of tourists who flock here for their holidays. So, if you’re hoping to secure a good spot on the beach, we’d highly recommend arriving here early!
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Porth Tyn Tywyn Car Park (10-minute walk from the beach)
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: No
Postcode: LL64 5JP
Found in the Mumbles area of Swansea on the beautiful South Wales coast, Langland Bay is one of the most popular surfing hotspots in the region and a particular favourite for surfing enthusiasts living in the city. Due to its shape and size, it’s often regarded as one of the best surfing beaches in Wales and gets quite busy when the conditions are good. With great waves at both high and low tide, it offers a range of options for surfers depending on your personal style and ability level.
If you’re arriving here by car, you won’t have far to walk down to this South Wales beach, as you’ll find a spacious car park sitting right next to the promenade. With a block of public toilets next to the beach as well as a popular café to enjoy after your surf, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider surfing at Langland Bay if you happen to be staying nearby!
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Langland Bay Beach Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: Yes
Postcode: SA3 4QP
A Scottish beach that’s renowned with surfing enthusiasts and touted as a brilliant place to start out for beginners, Belhaven Bay in Dunbar is a must-visit if you’re hoping to find the best surfing hotspots in Scotland! Found just a 30-minute drive from Edinburgh, this exceptional beach draws in roaring waves from the north and northeast, perfect for both longboarding during the summer and shortboarding during the autumn and winter months.
Considered to be surfable all-year-round, there’s never a bad time to come to this beach to ride the waves. If you’re a complete beginner or in need of some extra lessons, the well-regarded Coast to Coast Surf School will be able to help you out with some lessons. Being so close to the capital, it can make for a great place to visit for the day if you’re hoping to go for a city break for your next staycation!
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Belhaven Car Park
Parking Charge: Pay & Display
Lifeguard: No
Postcode: EH42 1XF
Close to the border with England on the beautiful coastline of South East Scotland, Pease Bay is a beach that’s known for having consistent surfing conditions. However, for the best results, it’s recommended by the Surf Forecast to ride the waves here during winter and spring, when the southwesterly winds are the strongest. Receiving a mixture of both groundswells and windswells, it’s also a great place to go surfing at both high and low tide.
Being situated right next to a popular holiday park, it should be noted that this beach can get very busy during the summer, so if you’re hoping to secure a good spot for the day then we’d highly recommend arriving here as early as you can to avoid disappointment. The A1 runs almost directly past this beach, offering great connections to those of you hoping to drive here either from Edinburgh or the North East of England!
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Pease Bay Leisure Park Visitors Car Park
Parking Charge: Free
Lifeguard: No
Postcode: TD13 5YP
One of the northernmost beaches in the UK, Dunnet Bay Beach can be found just a couple of miles from John O’Groats in the far north of Scotland. Despite being popular with locals and those travelling along the NC500 route, you’ll find this beach to be much quieter than most, making it an excellent place to go surfing for the day. Flanked by cliffs on both sides, this beach is well-shaped for drawing in roaring waves from the south east.
Whether you’re an experienced wave-rider or looking to pick up some novice skills, we’d highly recommend booking some lessons with North Coast Water Sports, the local surf school that conducts the majority of their lessons at this beach. Suitable for all ages and abilities, it makes for a great place to get started with surfing, as the waves here are considered to be consistently mild throughout the year, meaning there’s never a bad time to try it out!
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Dunnet Forest Car Park
Parking Charge: Free
Lifeguard: No
Postcode: KW14 8XD
Situated on the stunning Causeway Coast, West Strand Beach has long been considered by surfing enthusiasts to be one of the best surfing beaches in Northern Ireland. Due to the sheer size and curvature of the beach, it offers consistent conditions throughout the year (although the waves during summer are reported to be relatively flat). Therefore, if you’re hoping to get the most out of your surfing session here, we’d highly recommend visiting during the autumn and winter months when the waves are much larger.
This surfing beach sits right next to the popular tourist town of Portrush, which can be easily reached from the rest of the country either by road or rail. In fact, you’ll find the town’s train station right next to the beach, which would be perfect for those of you choosing to arrive here by train. After your surfing session, we’d highly recommend taking a walk into this bustling town to enjoy one of its many bars and restaurants such as The Quays. Alternatively, if you’re bringing the family, why not head over to Curry’s Fun Park to enjoy the many amusements and rollercoasters?
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: West Strand Car Park
Parking Charge: Free
Lifeguard: Yes
Postcode: BT56 8ET
One of the largest beaches on the Northern Irish coast and a hotspot for surfing enthusiasts, Benone Strand can be found just down the road from the town of Castlerock and makes for a wonderful place to test your skills. On the other hand, if you’re looking to pick up surfing for the first time by embarking on some lessons, then booking a session with Long Line Surf School is a wise idea to consider! Not only do they offer surfing lessons, but they can also teach you the basics of stand-up paddleboarding too.
When you arrive, you’ll pass a large holiday park before reaching the entrance to the beach, where you can park up on the sand without having to pay and display. Here you’ll also find the Sea Shed, a surfer’s café where you can stop off for a coffee and a bite to eat after riding the wild waves!
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Benone Strand Car Park (on the beach)
Parking Charge: Free
Lifeguard: Yes
Postcode: BT49 0LQ
Touted as a great Northern Ireland surfing beach that offers great conditions throughout the year, Ballycastle Strand can be found on the country’s northern coast, situated just over an hour’s drive from Belfast. Despite offering great conditions throughout the year, the Surf Forecast suggest that winter is the best month for surfing here, particularly around January when the waves are at their strongest.
Boasting a Blue Flag Award for environmental friendliness, this beach sees plenty of locals and holidaymakers flock here to enjoy the golden sands. So, if you’re hoping to get a good surfing session in, we’d highly recommend arriving early to secure a spot. Once you’re finished up with your surf session, we’d recommend heading over to Shorebird Coffee Hut for a bite to eat and a drink. Alternatively, Marconi’s Bistro & Bar also makes for a great place to unwind and relax, which can be found just next to the café.
Type of Beach: Sandy
Parking: Pans Rock Car Park
Parking Charge: Free
Lifeguard: Yes
Postcode: BT54 6QS
Looking for even more places to go surfing in the UK? If you’re in the south of England, these surfing beaches in Cornwall and these surfing beaches in Norfolk are amongst some of the best in England. On the other hand, there are also plenty of surfing beaches in Wales and surfing beaches in Scotland to choose from! Browse thousands of coastal cottages to secure your next surfing holiday today!
I'm Rob and I joined the Sykes team in February 2024. I am a passionate writer and have always enjoyed holidays in the UK, especia...
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