The 8 best UK beaches for surfing Brits can visit this bank holiday weekend

Fans of the beach could be in their element this bank holiday weekend as hot weather is forecast for much of the country. The UK is home to 1,500 beaches, and while many prefer sunbathing on the sand, there are plenty of people who like to don a wetsuit and hit the waves.

The UK may not be famed as a world-class surfing destination, but there are plenty of great places that offer decent surfing and bodyboarding conditions. To ensure that you find the best possible waves, experts TwoBareFeet.co.uk have listed the eight best beaches for surfing or bodyboarding in the UK.

The UK offers a good selection of surf beaches with different conditions for all levels of competence. From locations that offer waves with heights taller than any human, which are suitable for surfing competitions, there are also areas that offer lower-intensity waves for new surfers.

Many of the beaches listed also offer quieter spots for those who want to escape the crowds and experience nature away from large crowds. Surfing and bodyboarding can be great activities for those who want to feel connected to their surroundings while enjoying secluded spots.

A spokesperson from TwoBareFeet.co.uk recommends these beaches as ideal spots for Brits aiming to surf this year, as they offer consistent waves of all sizes, and some offer year-round surfing

The spokesman said: “With hot weather and sunny days continuing into this bank holiday weekend, many of us will be checking which beaches we can use for either surfing or bodyboarding.

“While many Brits are experienced on a surfboard and love a challenge, some are just starting out. Luckily, these eight beaches offer the best of both worlds. These beaches are located in parts of the UK that are known for their beauty, and many have powerful waves all year round.”

Below are the eight best beaches for surfing or bodyboarding in the UK, as advised by TwoBareFeet.co.uk:

1. Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire (Wales)

This beach on the far West coast of Wales offers a mixture of sand and rock that produces strong waves up to eight feet tall. The beach provides an environment suitable for all levels of skill, from novices to those looking for a good challenge.

Local business Outer Reef offers board hire and runs surfing lessons daily throughout the summer season. The beach is probably most famous for Harry Potter fans, where it provides the setting of the death of house elf Dobby in the series. A mock memorial using large pebbles has been constructed by fans in his honour, but authorities have advised not to leave items on the site for environmental reasons.

2. Croyde Beach, Devon

The region of North Devon is known for its stunning seaside, and Croyde is considered its capital. The beach is popular with both beginner and advanced surfers due to its mixture of waves, which are surfable at all tide stages. The over three-mile-long beach is best approached by first-timers in either Spring or Autumn. Summer provides opportunities for more experienced surfers, where its North Atlantic coastline can produce bigger waves.

3. Portrush Beach, County Antrim (NI)

This award-winning beach is located in Northern Ireland and is divided into two parts. The West Strand provides calmer waves and is more suitable for benginners, while the East Stand is a haven for bodyboarding and surfing by more experienced practicioners. Waves can reach up to six feet high here due to the strong offshore winds, which provide a challenge for those wanting to brave the bigger surf.

4. Fistral Beach, Cornwall

This beach is one of over 300 in Cornwall but is one of the nation's most well-known surfing spots. Featuring a coastline on the Celtic Sea it has powerful waves that can reach up to eight feet high. This gives advanced surfers a chance to indulge during Autumn and extends into summer, where the annual Boardmasters Surf and Music Festival is held every mid-August.

5. Rhossili Bay, Swansea, Wales

Back in Wales, bodyboarders and surfers are spoilt for choice due to its many beaches (over 150) and lengthy coastline of over 1,500 miles. Rhossili Bay is one of the most well-known beaches in the country and is located at the Western end of the Gower Peninsula, which was Britain’s first awarded Area of Outstanding Beauty. This beach is three miles long and is home to consistent waves all year round, which, thanks to the beach’s exposed break directly facing the prevailing winds, are perfect for bodyboarders and surfers of all levels.

6. Woolacombe Beach, Devon

Another three-mile-long stretch of coast, west-facing Woolacombe Beach, is perfect for both beginners, at low to mid-tide, and advanced surfers. Beaches facing this direction are exposed to prevailing winds, and these create stronger waves. The beach gets crowded during the summer months, but thanks to the fact that Devon is still warm until around October, there are opportunities for those who want to strategise for a quieter surfing spot.

7. Saltburn Beach, North Yorkshire

This North East icon provides a great option for bodyboarding or surfing. The high number of reefs on the East Coast creates longer waves, and this beach is no exception. Waves can reach up to a big ten feet tall, and the beach can be used on either side of its Victorian Pier. Beaches in this part of the UK are a lot colder, so you may want to travel there in summer and wear a good quality wetsuit.

8. Perranporth, Cornwall

This beach, located in the West Country, is used for many aquatic activities alongside bodyboarding and surfing, such as snorkelling and sailing. Another three-miles long option, it peaks with 180,000 visitors during summer, and can be very crowded, which will allow junior surfers to feel at ease surrounded by other tourists on boards. However, if you wish to practice your skills in a quieter spot, head north to Perran Sands, which is an isolated choice away from the usual coastline commotion.