This could be a great time for a surfing break, considering the Met Office has forecast a June heatwave. Britain is set to bask in scorching temperatures of 86°F later this month, with a 16-day heatwave promised. The temperature in the afternoon is unlikely to drop below 70°F across the whole of the UK. This makes the sea seem even more inviting!
© Chris White / Adobe Stock
Blessed with lots of epic surfing spots, the UK has 11,000 miles of coastline. There's everything from powerful barrelling waves to sheltered beach breaks up and down the coast. Wherever you live, there are some great surfing spots for a staycation this summer, whether you're a beginner or a pro. On the right day, the UK's waves can be as good as anywhere on the planet.
Want to find out where to go to catch a wave? From waves for beginners in Cornwall, to reef breaks for pro surfers in Scotland; grab your board and wetsuit and head off to one of these fantastic surfing spots around the UK.
- Fistral Beach, Cornwall
Cornwall has plenty of great surfing spots, but Fistral Beach is one of the best, as it has something for everyone. The small, gentle rollers are perfect for beginners and for longboarding in the summer, while the winter swells bring powerful, steep waves ideal for experts.
The area hosts the British National Surf Championships and there's a surf centre providing lessons on the beach. There are also bars and restaurants to refuel post-surfing. When there's a huge swell, with double-size, clean waves, the Cribbar is a pull for big wave surfers. The massive waves breaking off the rocks make it the place to go for thrill-seekers.
- Thurso East, Scotland
Thurso is Britain's most northerly town, nestling on the rugged Caithness coast of Scotland. Boasting one of the best surfing spots in Europe, it is so good that the Hawaiian big-wave pro surfer, Love Hodel, has called it "pretty damned perfect".
The waves aren't suitable for beginners, as they break over a shallow reef. For skilled surfers, this idyllic spot, set against a backdrop of the Thurso Castle's ruins, features a right-hander in a big northwest swell, with surfable waves of triple overhead. It's no surprise this beach hosts surfing competitions that attract international surfers.
- Croyde, Devon
One of the UK's best performance waves is found at Croyde, in North Devon, where experienced short boarders dominate the powerful, steep peaks on big swell days. The best conditions are at low tide. However, the sea can get crowded, as it's one of Devon's most popular beaches, so look out for other surfers.
The backdrop of rolling sand dunes and the countryside beyond makes Croyde a picturesque place to surf. The bay nestles between two headlands: Saunton Sands and Woolacombe beaches, on either side.
- Saltburn, Yorkshire
As one of the original hotspots of the northeast surfing scene; Saltburn, on the North Yorkshire coast is a friendly spot. It has mellow waves around the pier that are great for improving your board skills, including practicing turns and paddling.
Saltburn Surf School, located on the beach since 1983, offers a wide choice of surfing lessons. If you're looking for somewhere quiet and unspoiled, Cayton, further down the coast, is the place to go. It boasts excellent surfing for everyone from beginners to experts, all year round.
- Portrush, East Strand, County Antrim
Thanks to its sheltered location, Portrush tends to have smaller waves, especially in mild spring and summer weather. Even on stormy days, when much of the coastline is battered by the wind, East Strand is often the only spot safe for surfers, as it is more protected.
In windier weather, you'll find some fast left and right barrels to keep the more skilled surfers happy. During the winter, it can be hard to paddle out, so the pro surfers go round to the Arcadia instead.
- Llangennith, Wales
The Gower, in the Gower Peninsula, is the hub of the Welsh surfing scene, with Llangennith undoubtedly its most popular spot. All along the three-mile stretch of golden sand, the beach breaks roll in, making it popular for surfers from professionals to complete beginners.
It can get busy in good conditions, but if you walk down the beach with your board, it's possible to get away from the crowd and find some quieter peaks. It's an ideal place to learn safely, thanks to the long, sandy beach. Watch for the rips, as they tend to be worse when the tide is pushing in and the swell is bigger.
- Porthleven, Cornwall
This picturesque spot, on the south coast of Cornwall, is hard to beat when the wind, weather and swell line up. To the west of the harbour, the short, right-hander barrels are probably the best waves for expert surfers to tackle, as they get super-shallow.
Porthleven is home to Cornwall's best reef break, so it does tend to be busy. It is best for expert surfers, as you need to take extra care, due to the rocky bottom, at high tide.
If you're planning a surfing staycation, make sure you have the surfing essentials, such as a suitable container to keep your gear safe and dry. Solent Plastics' 80-litre heavy-duty XL attached-lid container is popular with surfers and divers for wet kit. Ideal for carrying your gear to the beach from the car, you can also use it as a tub to soak your wetsuit.
This container is known as the "Gear Gulper Box" and is sold at huge savings by Solent Plastics, compared with the dive shops. In fact, surfer Nigel Semmens has given the box his seal of approval, saying, "The lid is very good, and the box keeps all the water contained."