North Cornwall
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Positives
- Variety of beach aspects
- Beautiful Scenery
- Good beach and reef breaks
- Year-round consistency
- All abilities catered for
Negatives
- Cold water
- Cool and wet climate
- Crowds
- Pollution
- Expensive
North Cornwall surf travel guide
North Cornwall surf spots are backed by large tracts of National Trust land and has been spared the development that's blighted the county further south. The area is home to the few west-facing reefs in the country and during big winter swells the deep shelter north-facing coves come into their own, turning stormy SW swells into classy beachbreak peaks. The well maintained coast path is worth the trip as the epic coastline is one of the most dramatic in the UK. Handles both small summer swells on the beaches and winter storms at some semi-secret points and reefs.
Surf spots in North Cornwall
Research the 17 surf breaks in North Cornwall and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 17 breaks in North Cornwall.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to North Cornwall
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Travel Information
General
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- Population
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Visas
Since Brexit, unrestricted travel between the UK and the EU is over. The current system allows for visa free travel for up to 90/180 days a year. Beyond 90 days things get very complicated so check online for the details. US, Canada, OZ, NZ and some others follow the same 90-180 day rules. Most other countries need a visa before arrival. more info here
Getting There
Internal flights to Exeter (EXT) or Newquay (NQY) can be cheap so they’re worth checking but still an hours drive from North Cornwalls' remote coastline.
Local buses link the airports with Bude, Wadebridge and the coastal villages, however, travel times are often more than double that of driving. There are no train stations.
Driving is the most sensible option.
Getting Around
The A39 'Atlantic Highway' links North Devon to North Cornwall and provides the jumping off point for the many lanes that access North Cornwalls' small cliff-lined beaches and reefs as far as Newquay.
Local buses are intermittent and take circuitous routes through small villages.
Accommodation
B&B’s are everywhere, from $50/n upwards. A pub meal costs $20 and daytime “greasy spoon cafes” are cheaper. Campsites are plentiful along the coast, which is useful in summer when freecamping the beach car parks is difficult.
Activities
North Cornwall is backed almost entirely by National Trust land, with little development marring its windswept beauty. Check out Leopallooza Festival in August. Tintagel castle is where King Arthur and Merlin legends abound and the village is full of touristy gift shops full of swords and crystals. Cornwall and Devon are summer holiday hotspots in Britain. Resorts such as Bude become jam-packed.
Hazards & hassles
Rocks, cold water, strong riptides, sewage and summer crowds. Cornwall suffers from intense traffic jams and over-subscribed beach parking on holiday weekends. The notoriously hedge-bound thin roads extend travelling times.
Handy Hints
There is a myriad of surf shops and board manufacturers along the coast with Bude being the hub. Long-running Zuma Jays have a handy daily surf report plus offers rentals. Ann's Cottage in Polzeath is one of the UK's oldest surf shops and now has one in Bude plus a number of others shops around Cornwall. Boards start at $700. Even though it is a crowded zone it is possible to find space if you put some effort in.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.