Best Campsites for Surfing
Surf's up! There are plenty of advantages to surfing in Britain rather than packing your board and taking it on a plane. Firstly, there are loads of places in the UK that you can surf, from Pease Bay in Scotland to Sennen Cove in Cornwall. Secondly, the UK coastline has plenty of great waves – for all levels of ability from total novice to the most experienced wave-rider.
Finally – and most importantly – the brilliant thing about surfing is that it’s good for you wherever you do it – strengthening your body and improving your balance and fitness levels. So having a go at surfing in the UK is a win-win situation, especially when we’ve done all the research and come up with a list of 10 of the best campsites near a surfing beach.
10 of the Best UK Campsites for Surfing
From North Yorkshire via Wales and right down to Cornwall, Pitchup has lots of amazing camping, glamping and full-blown holiday parks where you can stay on surfing holidays in the UK – and we’ve listed 10 of our customers' top picks here.
North of England
Viking Garth Hideaways
Scarborough Road
Bridlington
East Yorkshire
YO16 6XH
Why here? Keen to get out on the waves? Accommodation here is in glamping pods with everything set up for you, so you can head straight down to Cayton Bay (15 minutes’ drive),
which has lessons and gear hire at the surf school and some of the most dependable surf on the north-east coast.
After a day at the beach, weary surfers have plenty of luxurious touches to look forward to back at Viking Garth Hideaways, from reliable warmth thanks to double glazing and insulation, and heating on hand for cooler nights. There’s everything you need for relaxed evenings too: a kitchen area (with microwave, fridge, crockery and cutlery), a TV and a DVD player and inviting sofas and comfy beds.
Key facilities: Ensuite shower, kitchen, private garden area
One last thing… Non-surfing guests will find plenty to do here – the site is close to Bridlington or Scarborough, as well as breezy walks along the Flamborough Headland Heritage Coast.
Wales
Esgaireithin Caravan Site
Tresaith
Ceredigion
SA43 2JG
Why here? The biggest problem about staying here is wondering where to go first. Surfing beaches nearby include Tresaith (five minutes’ drive), Poppit Sands (20 minutes, best for novices)
and Llangrannog (15 minutes, good when there’s a westerly swell in winter). If you fancy a change of sport, coasteering, paddleboarding and sea kayaking are available near Cardigan (15 minutes).
Accommodation at Esgaireithin Caravan Site is in caravans equipped with heaters, a kitchenette with cooker and fridge, and double bedrooms. Most importantly, hot water is constantly available for the ensuite showers, so you can rinse off salty skin and wetsuits before putting your feet up on a comfy sofa in front of the TV, or cook supper at leisure.
Key facilities: Kitchen, ensuite shower, barbecue provided, dogs welcome
One last thing… There’s a designated dog park on site, as well as beaches for exercising pets nearby; you’re also advised to bring binoculars as dolphins and seals put in frequent appearances in the bay.
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Quarry Park Camping
Wiston, Haverfordwest
Pembrokeshire
SA62 4PH
Why here? This is such a peaceful spot – and close to the fabled surfing beaches of the Pembrokeshire coast. Expert boarders head for Manorbier (half an hour’s drive, with some strong
currents) or Freshwater West (35 minutes), while there’s a surf academy and gear hire at Newgale, where the waves are ideal for beginners.
Back at Quarry Park Camping, handy facilities for surfers include lots of hot water for refreshing showers and a drying room for wetsuits. Each pitch comes with a firepit and barbecue in a private garden area. Shared-used fridge-freezers are available for storing your food – and there’s an undercover communal dining area if the weather turns against you.
Key facilities: Shop, launderette, drying room
One last thing… You can stock up on holiday basics plus wood, kindling and charcoal in the small shop at reception, and sometimes buy local treats like free-range eggs and Welsh honey as well.
West Country
Atlantic Surf Pods
Atlantic Highway, Bude
Cornwall
EX23 8LY
Why here? This beautifully landscaped glamping site is a mile from the breakers on popular surfing beaches around Bude, including Widemouth Bay (five minutes’ drive), Summerleaze (10
minutes) and Crooklets (15 minutes, best for experts).
When you’re done for the day, retreat to eco-sustainable pods with grass-covered roofs for extra warmth, plus private decking with outdoor furniture, a gas barbecue and a giant bean bag that's ideal for post-surfing snoozes. Handy on-site amenities for windswept surfers at Atlantic Surf Pods include showers in private external wetrooms and full-size baths in the communal ablutions block, where there’s also a large mirror and electric points for hairdryers.
Key facilities: Showers, bath, launderette
One last thing… As it's just off the main A39 road, the site is also handy for horse riding, golf and bike outings, and there’s also a games area and playground to keep youngsters entertained.
Combas Farm
Meadow Lane, Croyde
North Devon
EX33 1PH
Why here? This farm site is set in a secluded north Devon valley and you can walk to Putsborough beach (20 minutes’ stroll) at the quiet end of Woolacombe Bay. You’re also close to Croyde (five
minutes’ drive) and Saunton Sands (10 minutes), which has a surf school and gear hire too.
Camping pitches at Combas Farm are scattered across four fields, one with views over Woolacombe Bay and the others nearer the facilities – which include surfer-friendly things like powerful hot showers and drying areas for wetsuits. There are sockets for gadget charging and a communal area with a fridge and washing-up area. Barbecues are allowed, so pick up supplies in Braunton (15 minutes’ drive).
Key facilities: Showers, drying room, dogs welcome
One last thing… Non-surfers keen for some fresh air can join the spectacular South West Coast Path at Croyde and hike the five-mile stretch to Woolacombe, past the National Trust’s wonderfully named Baggy Point.
Dewflock Farm
Winterborne Monkton
Dorset
DT2 8NP
Why here? At opposite ends of Chesil Beach, Fortuneswell (25 minutes’ drive) and West Bay (half an hour) are popular surfing spots, and there’s a surfing academy in Bournemouth (an hour away).
There's no need to worry about cooking here, so you can spend more time on the waves. In the morning, the site café is open for breakfast, and pizzas are freshly made to order on selected evenings. The site owners also produce their own meat, which you can order to be delivered to your accommodation for barbecue feasts. Alternatively, you can cook in the field kitchen, where there’s a communal eating area with fridges, freezers and all necessary utensils.
Key facilities: Showers, local produce for sale, pick up from public transport
One last thing… This is a convenient campsite if you’re travelling without a car, as it’s close to bus stops serving Cornish beaches, and the owners also offer a pick-up service.
Hope Farm Holidays
Gwithian Road, Connor Downs
Hayle, Cornwall
TR27 5EA
Why here? There’s a selection of well-known north Cornwall surfing beaches like Godrevy (10 minutes’ drive) and Portreath (15 minutes) in the area around Hope Farm Holidays. Gwithian beach
(10 minutes’ drive) is ideal for novice surfers, with a steady incoming Atlantic swell. There’s a surfing school there as well, where you can hire boards and wetsuits.
Accommodation here is on an eco-friendly site with a wild-camping vibe, valley views and spacious pitches for quiet groups wanting to set up together. Surfing guests will be glad of the solar-heated showers after a session on the water, and other welcome facilities include compost toilets, two washing-up stations and recycling amenities too.
Key facilities: Showers, washing up area, dogs welcome
One last thing… Expect dogs, cats and chickens roaming freely, and as the site is a wildlife haven you might also get to spot deer, rabbits, kestrels and buzzards in the neighbouring fields.
Owl Valley Glamping
Jennetts Bridge, Buckland Road
Bideford, Devon
EX39 5EQ
Why here? Outdoors types can make for the north Devon surfing beaches easily from Owl Valley Glamping. Westward Ho! (10 minutes’ drive) is one of the safest surfing beaches in the county –
the swell is best when the wind is blowing from the south west. Fabled surfers’ havens like Croyde and Saunton Sands are within 40 minutes, and kayaking and bodyboarding are both on hand too.
Set on a north Devon nature reserve, this glamping site is a leafy little base offering the best of both worlds: no internet and no electricity but lots of creature comforts in the shape of cosy pods, each with its own private outdoor kitchen, decking and hot showers set amid woodland for privacy.
Key facilities: Showers, honesty shop, wildlife haven
One last thing… If you’re not a surfing aficionado, you can still get out on the water. Book a sea safari from Ilfracombe (40 minutes’ drive) to spot dolphins and seals playing in the waves.
Porthtowan Tourist Park
Mile Hill, Porthtowan
Truro, Cornwall
TR4 8TY
Why here? Backed by dunes and flanked by cliffs, the beach at Porthtowan (five minutes’ drive) is one of Cornwall’s favourite surfing spots, with consistent surf plus surf schools for all skill levels.
There’s gear hire available here too, as well as a couple of shops selling boards and clothes.
Consistently recommended by guests for the friendliness of its owners, the award-wining and flower-filled Porthtowan Tourist Park is set in quiet countryside, surrounded by fields. Thoughtful extras for surfers include showers with constant hot water, a laundry room for rinsing out wetsuits and spacious pitches with room to store gear.
Key facilities: Food shop on site, showers, dogs welcome
One last thing… For non-surfing kids, there’s a games room and adventure play area. For adults, Tehidy Country Park (10 minutes) and the South West Coast Path are close by for Cornish walking adventures.
South Town Farm
Loxhore, Barnstaple
North Devon
EX31 4SS
Why here? Experts and novices surfers alike can hit the famous beaches at Saunton Sands, Woolacombe, Putsborough and Croyde within a drive of half an hour or so. They’re all set up with
gear hire and surfing schools, with shops selling boards and wetsuits close to Woolacombe beach.
Simple accommodation at South Town Farm is spread across two wild-camping fields with gorgeous views. Facilities include a wooden shower block powered by gas – great for warming up at the end of a surfing session. When you’re not on a surfboard, this is a spot for sitting back, watching the sheep grazing in nearby fields and enjoying the spectacular sunsets.
Key facilities: Showers, toilets, ice pack freezing
One last thing… Everything is off-grid here, so bring a torch along for finding your way around the site after dark – the lack of light pollution makes it perfect for stargazing.
Booking on Pitchup
Looking for other places to catch a wave on your camping or glamping trip? Perhaps you fancy having all the amenities of a holiday park? We have hundreds of other sites in the UK ready to book, so have a look and use our filters to help narrow down your search.
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