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Image by Tim Marshall

SURFING BREAKS IN WOOLACOMBE

One of the top surfing
spots in the UK

There’s no question that Woolacombe Beach is one of the best surfing spots in the UK. Not only is it the best beach in the UK acccording to The Times newspaper, but it has a deep surfing heritage, general vibe and the waves to boot.

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CHOOSE WOOLACOMBE BEACH RETREATS

for the ultimate surfing holiday

The Woolacombe Beach Retreats are a collection of self-catering holiday apartments in North Devon. Spacious, well-equipped, and within easy walking distance of Woolacombe Beach, they are perfect for surf breaks. Sleeping 4 to 6 guests with free parking, free WiFi, outdoor pool, and space to store surfboards, they are the ultimate surf-side accommodation.

 

 

 

 

 

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Bedroom with twin beds

SPACE TO RELAX

sleeping four to six

Flats and Apartments each have two bedrooms comprising of double and twin, sleeping 4-6, and one or two bathrooms. Living space is roomy with open-plan kitchen/diner/lounge with everything you need for a great stay - including SMART TV, washing machine, and floor-to-ceiling windows. We're dog-friendly too!

South Street, Woolacombe

WALK TO BEACH

One of the best surfing beaches in the UK - Woolacombe Beach - is quite literally on your doorstep. You can walk, surfboard under arm, to the beach in about 5 minutes. No need to load up the car. Bedroom to beach in no time!

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Woolacombe Beach Retreats self-catering accommodation

All Flats and Apartments have enclosed outdoor space - a patio or a balcony where you can store your surfboards, or they can be stored inside your accommodation.

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From June to September the Mini Lido is heated for days off relaxing.

OUTDOOR SPACE

room to store boards
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Private off-road parking is provided free of charge for one car per Beach Retreat

PARKING

free & near the beach
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WIFI

We have recently upgraded the WiFi in all the Beach Retreats. Free WiFi is included with your stay. Perfect for checking surf reports.

fast, free & unlimited

Check-in is contactless so there's no hanging around. Your Beach Retreat will be available from 4pm, and your key can be collected from a lockbox. Your lockbox can be used throughout your stay - great for when you don't all want to head back at the same time.

SELF CHECK-IN

& key lockbox

NORTH DEVON SURF GUIDE

SOME OF THE BEST SURFING BEACHES IN THE UK

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North Devon, and particularly Woolacombe, has some of the finest surfing in the UK. Strong westerly swells from the Atlantic Ocean roll into our long, gently shelving sandy beaches. There's no doubt about it: the best time to surf is autumn. In September and October, the water is still warm, the waves are crisp, and you’ll get some early winter swells all to yourself.

 

Hit the waves in autumn or winter to avoid the hordes on boards, by the end of the October half-term the crowds have gone, and for a few months of the year, it becomes possible to go surfing with just a few other surfers for company. 

 

When you stay with us it’s possible to walk, board under your arm, to Woolacombe beach to hit the waves, or beachside parking is available. This is one of Devon’s best surfing beaches. If you don't like to paddle far to get out to the breaking waves, beach break here is known as "middle beach" - basically, it's anywhere left of the stream.

 

Our top surf spots…

Woolacombe Beach

One of the UK's most famous beaches is just  a board-under-arm stroll from your Beach Retreat! With a very forgiving beach break, Woolacombe is excellent for beginners. Point break is to the right but be careful of rocks.

Woolacombe Beach

WALKING DISTANCE

Surfer

A very underrated surf spot. The surf is good and sheltered, super clean when conditions are good. Waves at the beach break both left and right. Best around mid tide.

Putsborough Sands
2 MINUTE DRIVE
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Coombesgate Beach in North Devon is a beach and reef break that has fairly consistent surf and can work at any time of the year. Best around mid tide when the tide is rising. Be careful accessing this spot at mid-high tide from this beach as there are submerged rocks.

Coombesgate Beach
3 MINUTE DRIVE
Surfing Croyde Bay

In Croyde waves are good on all tides, but especially at low tide. World class waves mean board breakers occur and the waves can be fast, so Croyde’s the beach to hit if you’re more experienced riding quickly and through busy seas.

Croyde
20 MINUTE DRIVE
Saunton Beach

Like Woolacombe, there's sand as far as the eye can see at Saunton. With a quite exposed beach break that has fairly consistent surf,  Saunton is surfable all year round, at all stages of the tide.  The beach break provides left and right handers. It can get crowded here. 

Saunton
25 MINUTE DRIVE
Westward Ho surf beach

The best place to surf off Westward Ho! is close to the rocks on the left or by the estuary on the right. The beach is known for it’s long stretch of pebbles and surfing here is relaxed and casual. Arguably, this isn't the best surfing beach, but it is a great day out and a strong all-rounder.

Westward Ho!
50 MINUTE DRIVE
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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

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Locally, friends of the Beach Retreats include the team at Gulf Stream Surfboards where boards are designed and beautifully crafted. Just seconds from the Beach Retreats, be sure to call into their workshop to see their handcrafted and secondhand boards; they even offer a ding repair service. If you'd like to hone your surfing skills or you're just starting out learning to surf, we recommend Surfing Woolacombe - their Surfing England qualified coaches are second to none.

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SURFING BREAKS
Image by britt gaiser

3-NIGHT SURF BREAK

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Book a Beach Retreat self-catering home for a surf holiday and you'll have your pick of some of the UK's best surfing beaches. Stay from just £80 per night, min. 3-night stay.

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  • Based on up to 6 guests sharing a Beach Retreat Apartment: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

  • Additional nights can be booked

  • Excludes school holidays and summer months (7-night minimum stay applies June - December)

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3 NIGHTS FROM £240

TERMS & CONDITIONS

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  • ​​Subject to availability.

  • A minimum three-night stay applies, extra nights available (six nights maximum at this price)

  • Payment in full is required at the time of booking; this is non-refundable but transferable if required

  • A charge of £10 per night for up to two dogs applies (ground floor accommodation); pre-booking dog-friendly accommodation is essential

  • Ground floor accommodation sleeps up to 4, first-floor accommodation sleep 4/6

  • Applies to new bookings only, cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer 

  • Please note: We do not have separate board and/or bike storage available but you are welcome to leave items in your accommodation; we cannot accept any liability for items left unattended 

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