The UK's best surfing breaks: Where to catch a few waves on the Costa Del Britain

By JENNY COAD

Wave hello: Britain offers plenty of powerful waters for surfers, especially on the South Coast
Sennen Cove, Cornwall


You don't have to fly to California to make like the Beach Boys. Britain has plenty of fabulous coastline ideal for surfing on powerful waves. From Cornwall and Devon to Northumberland and Scotland, Jenny Coad reveals the best locations for a board meeting with a difference.

CATCH A WAVE: Clear waters, scenery to make you gasp and a consistent swell. The Sennen Surf Centre take group lessons from £25 for two hours or £100 for five days. Teaching takes place in Sennen Cove and all equipment is included (01736 871 561, www.sennensurfingcentre.com).


WHERE TO STAY: Set in three acres of walled gardens, the Boscean Country House, a ten-minute drive away in St Just, provides a comforting base for surfers and walkers. You can take afternoon tea in the garden. B&B rooms from £85 per room, per night, (01736 788 748, www.bosceancountryhouse.co.uk).

If you want to be nearer the action, bed down at Whitesands Lodge at Sennen. Here you can share a self-catering lodge from £21pp a night (01736 871 776, www.whitesandslodge.co.uk).

NEARBY: Imagine myth, legend and battle at St Michael's Mount. Accessible on foot or by boat, the island will thrill and fascinate with its turreted castle and tropical gardens. More information (01736 710 507, www.stmichaelsmount.co.uk).

Land's End is a half-hour walk away, and the searing rock faces at impressive Porthcurno are three miles from Sennen Cove.

Croyde, Devon
CATCH A WAVE: Strong beach break and sloaney tones. The Olympic gold medal rower James Cracknell loves Croyde so much that he named his son after the village. At the Surfing Croyde Bay Surf School (01271 891 200, www.surfingcroydebay.co.uk/lessons cost from £35 for a two-and-a-half hour session.

WHERE TO STAY: B&B No10 is only five minutes from both the surf and the village. A good sleep is guaranteed between its crisp sheets and you can wash down your board and wetsuit in the garden shower. Rooms are £65 per night, including a fortifying full English (01271 890 280, www.bandbatno10.co.uk).

NEARBY: Henry Williamson wrote Tarka The Otter in 1921 and you can follow a part of Tarka's journey on the 180-mile footpath through North Devon. Find the walk at (www.devon.gov.uk).

Hell's Mouth, Wales
CATCH A WAVE: One of the 'buzziest' spots in North Wales, renowned for rippy surf, rocky take off and reef action. Hire equipment from West Coast Surf at £10 a day for a board and £8 for a suit (01758 713 067, www.westcoastsurf.co.uk). To hire a board you must be over 18, able to swim 50m in open water and be aware of rip tides.

WHERE TO STAY: Porth Tocyn Hotel in Abersoch is family run and only a mile from the beach. Stirring views of Cardigan Bay and the mountains of Snowdonia here and, inside, the rooms promise antiques and Egyptian cotton sheets.

The award-winning restaurant serves top- quality fare and a restorative Sunday lunch. Doubles from £95 per room, per night, including breakfast (01758 713 303, www.porthtocynhotel.co.uk).

NEARBY: The Lleyn Peninsula offers splendid walking and something special for steam train fans - the Ffestinog Railway.


Deceptively peaceful: Sennen Cove in Cornwall looks quiet here - but offers a consistent swell


Thurso East, Caithness, Scotland

CATCH A WAVE: Thurso is Britain's most northerly mainland town. The water is bracing and the surf advanced. Waves are 2ft to 8ft and higher. It's also home to O'Neill's Highland Cup competition, when the professionals show how it's done.

'It's up there with any wave in the world,' says Chris Griffiths, a top longboarder and former world No 5.

WHERE TO STAY: For a cosy bed after a chilly surf, Pentland Lodge House in Thurso fits the bill. Doubles cost £80 per night, including breakfast, which, it is promised, has locally sourced ingredients (01847 895 103, www.pentlandlodgehouse.co.uk).

NEARBY: Castle of Mey, where the Queen Mother holidayed every year for almost half a century. She bought the graceful property in 1952 and restored both the interior and gardens. Tickets to visit both cost £9.50. The castle is open until October 17, but closed between October 6-8 (01847 851 473, www.castleofmey.co.uk).

Alnmouth Beach, Northumberland
CATCH A WAVE: Thought to be one of the best beaches in Northumberland, Alnmouth offers acres of sand a short step from the village and the breaking waves can be spectacular. Surf is for beginners and seasoned boarders. The village is also famous for its beachside golf course.

Surf lessons are available in Druridge Bay, Warkworth (15 miles south of Alnwick) with daredevil surfer John Nolan, of Northside Surf School. Two-hour lessons cost £25 for adults £22 for children, including board and wetsuit hire (01665 713 146, www.northsidesurfschool.co.uk) or bring your board and brave it.

WHERE TO STAY: Guesthouses and B&Bs abound. Take in the estuary views over a local brew and a plate of chips at the Red Lion pub. Double rooms cost from £85 B&B (01665 830 584, www.redlionalnmouth.com).

NEARBY: Shoot an arrow at Alnwick castle, (a ten-minute drive away), which this year celebrates 700 years of ownership by the Percy family. There is a special exhibition detailing the family history of the medieval pile and archery lessons are available at £2.

Roam the gardens, which with thousands of roses and a poisonous plant section, are mesmerising. Gorge on locally sourced treats at the Treehouse restaurant. The castle and gardens are open from 10am to 6pm until October 29, combined tickets cost £20.80 for adults, £5.50 for children (01665 511 350, www.alnwickgarden.com).

The Witterings, West Sussex
CATCH A WAVE: This warm, sheltered stretch of sand is known locally as ' God's pocket'. Protected by the Isle of Wight, it's a year round draw for watersports fans and sun worshippers, boasting gentle surf with the best waves in autumn and winter.
2XS teaches surfing, body boarding and paddlesurfing. A two-hour surf session costs £35 and two hour paddlesurfing, £45 (01243 513077, www.2xs.co.uk).

WHERE TO STAY: The friendly Beach House B&B is a healthy stride from the beach at West Wittering and firmly on the walking circuit. If the sun is out, lounge in it on the verandah. Double rooms cost from £85 per night (01243 514 800, www.beachhse.co.uk).

NEARBY: Challenge your muscles further at Calshot activity centre. Try indoor rock climbing, track cycling and learn to sail or windsurf (0238 089 2077, www.calshot.com).

Peddle around the New Forest pathways, only ten minutes from the beach, and watch the wild ponies.


source: dailymail