Croyde Bay

There are surf towns and then there is Croyde. This small North Devon village and its beautiful bay have a legendary status among surfers across the UK and beyond, and quite rightly so. Croyde Bay is one of the finest beach breaks in England, full stop. When the swell is running and the wind is offshore, there is nowhere quite like it.

The beach sits in a compact, attractive bay framed by grassy dunes and the imposing headlands of Baggy Point to the south and Saunton Down to the north. The waves here are punchy and powerful compared to the gentler conditions at Woolacombe and Saunton, making Croyde a firm favourite with experienced surfers. That said, conditions vary enormously depending on swell and wind direction, and on calmer summer days the beach is wonderful for families, with rock pools at both ends of the bay and the water crystal clear.

RNLI lifeguards patrol during the peak season, offering reassurance during the busier summer months. Several surf schools operate from the beach and the village, offering lessons for all levels from complete beginners to intermediate surfers looking to improve. Croyde has the infrastructure and the expertise to get you on a wave, whatever your starting point.

The village itself is charming: a cluster of thatched cottages, surf shops, pubs and excellent food options that bring a genuine community feel to the whole place. After a session in the water, there are few things better than finding a seat in one of Croyde’s brilliant local pubs and reliving the waves of the day.

Croyde Bay sits inside the North Devon World Surfing Reserve, a designation that recognises the extraordinary quality of this coastline’s waves. Parking is available in the village, though it fills quickly in peak summer so arriving early is always the smart move. Dogs are welcome on the beach outside of the restricted summer zone, and sunsets viewed from the dunes here are absolutely magnificent.