Best Surfing Beaches in England

You may well think you should wait for summer to enjoy some of the best surfing beaches in England, but it seems that October is the best month throughout the year. Some beaches are suitable for this water sport for only a few weeks a year, depending on tides, but, arguably, England really does has some excellent spots with great waves.

1. Watergate Bay, Cornwall

Watergate Bay is located only two miles away from Newquay in the county of Cornwall. The sandy beach is also two miles long, and it's a popular destination for all kinds of water sports. The English National Surfing Championships took place here in 2007, proving that Watergate Bay is truly the number one destination for surfing in England.

2. Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire

Saltburn-by-the-Sea is a seaside resort located in North Yorkshire. Often known simply as Saltburn, this place became a surfing destination, especially in autumn and winter months, when waves are the best. National surfing events are also organised here, along others such as Saltburn Victorian Celebration and the Saltburn Custom Classic Car Show.

3. Sennen Cove, Cornwall

Sennen Cove, located in northwest Cornwall, is a small village which has become another popular surfing destination in England. The atmosphere is very friendly, locals and non-locals coming together to enjoy a day out by the sea. If you don't have your own gear, surfing boards and other equipment can be hired at the beach. Other facilities include a large car park and a beach café.

4. Bantham Beach, Devon

The county of Devon has many coastal villages popular with tourists, but since surf seekers find some of the best breaks here, Bantham has become a special destination. The sand dunes create a unique landscape surrounded by facilities such as a large beach car park with fresh drinks and food offered by "Gastrobus".

5. Bournemouth, Dorset

Bournemouth is a seaside resort town located in the county of Dorset in the proximity of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. There are a few sandy beaches where tourists can enjoy the summer days, especially the thrill-seeking surfers. It's worth mentioning that Bournemouth has one of the only four artificial surf reefs in the world, and the third largest community of surfers. Poole Bay, situated nearby, is another location where water sports are popular.

6. Longsands Bay, Tyne and Wear

Longsands Bay is located in North East England, in Tyne and Wear. It is quite exposed, and breaks work only at times. Winter and spring seasons are popular with surfers, King Edwards Bay being the closest break available. Tynemouth Longsands break is located only 1 km (0.6 mi) away from the bay. Other breaks include Black Middens, South Shields and Whitley Bay.

7. Porthmeor Beach, Cornwall

Porthmeor is one of the beaches that offer breaks all year round and a natural amphitheatre for surfing. Located in North Cornwall, it is an exposed beach with wind direction from the south. A Surf School is available on the beach, where gear can be hired and beginner surfing lessons can be booked. In short, Porthmeor offers all the facilities required to catch the surfing "bug."

8. Saunton Sands, Devon

Located on the North Devon coast, Saunton Sands is a long sandy beach, providing space for large groups of surfers. Saunton is the nearby village, where the name comes from, and it's the home of Saunton Surf Life Saving Club. The beach is exposed and offers consistent surf at almost any time of the year. Due to its popularity, this destination can be overcrowded in the peak-season.

9. Porthtowan Beach, Cornwall

Porthtowan is a small village in North Cornwall, and it lies in a World Heritage Site called Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape. Porthtowan beach is an exposed beach with winds coming from the southeast. If you're looking for a quiet beach to enjoy your surfing, this is definitely not the one, as it's often crowded. The closest nearby surf break is Chapel Porth, located 3 km (1.9 mi) away from Porthtowan.

10. Camber Sands, East Sussex

The village of Camber, located in East Sussex, is a popular destination due to its status of Site of Special Scientific Interest and Site of Nature Conservation Importance. The growing sand dunes are one of the most important attractions. The favourable wind conditions and breaks make this place desirable for surfers looking for an all-year-round round experience.