The United Kingdom may not be the first destination on your surf travel list, but the UK has some of the best surf spots in Europe, attracting surfers from around the world.
There are some fantastic surf shops dotted along the coast that keep us toasty in the winter and smiling when we grab some fresh new fibreglass.
From surfboards and wetsuits to accessories and apparel, these surf shops have everything you need to make the most of your time out in the ocean.
So, whether you’re a local or a visitor, let’s take a look at some of the best surf shops in the UK so you don’t miss them on your next surf trip.
10 Over Surf Shop, Newquay
Location: 9 Hilgrove Rd, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 2QY
10 Over Surf Shop, based out of Newquay, is the perfect combination of e-commerce experience and decades in the surf industry.
They’ve got a range of quality surf gear, from VISSLA wetsuits to a heap of carefully sourced clothing.
What sets them apart is their passion for supporting the Newquay and Cornish community, young surfers, their employees, and the ocean we all know and love.
They get to test all the surf hardware and wetsuits they stock and offer expert advice on what equipment to ride, where to surf, and anything else you might need to know.
Located near a host of excellent surfing beaches, including Crantock, Fistral, and Tolcarne, you’ll regularly find the 10 Over staff hitting the waves for a lunch break or some after-work team building.
Zuma Jay, Bude
Location: 20 Belle Vue Ln, Bude, EX23 8BR
If you’re planning a surfing trip to Cornwall, I highly recommend checking out Zuma Jay Surf Shop located just back from Bude’s surf beaches. I’ve visited for everything from wetsuits to wax and I’ve always been met with exceptional service and knowledgeable staff.
What makes Zuma Jay special is that it’s run by surfers, for surfers. The staff members all have a passion for surfing and an in-depth understanding of the equipment they sell.
One of the highlights of Zuma Jay is its custom surfboard service. You can grab a board that’s perfectly suited to your needs which can make a huge difference to how you surf, helping you catch more waves and quickly progress your skills.
The boardroom has an impressive selection of surfboards from renowned surfboard brands like Lib Tech Surfboards, Takayama Surfboards, Surftech Surfboards, Black and White Surfboards, Escape Surfboards, and Bic Surfboards.
They also stock a large range of men’s, women’s, and kids’ wetsuits all year round s whether it’s the coldest depth of February or beautiful summer days you’ll find the right wetsuit to keep you warm and comfortable in the water.
The shop is located on the North Cornwall Coast not far from the Atlantic Highway so it’s easy to escape the busy town beaches if you want to surf in relative peace.
Overall, I highly recommend visiting Zuma Jay Surf Shop for all your surfing needs. The expert advice, friendly service, and exceptional selection of equipment make it a must-visit for any surfer heading to North Cornwall.
Down The Line, Hayle
Location: Market Square, Copperhouse, Hayle, TR27 4EA
Having been lucky enough to visit this spot in person, I can say that it truly say that Down The Line in Hayle lives up to its reputation as a core surf shop.
From surfboards to wetsuits and surf hardware, they have everything you need to start shredding the waves.
What impressed me the most was their commitment to bringing the latest and best equipment from all over the world to UK shores.
The team travels extensively every year, building relationships with some of the leading manufacturers in the industry. This translates to a wide range of high-quality, cutting-edge surfboards, wetsuits and apparel for their customers.
The surfboard selection is particularly impressive. Down The Line has introduced some of Australia’s finest surfboards to Europe over the past couple of decades, including brands like JS and DHD.
They also bring in the best that America has to offer with Ryan Lovelace, Bing (Matt Calvani), and Christenson.
Going back down under, they import surfboards by the likes of Vouch, shaped by Paul Hutchinson, and Surfboards by Donald Takayama of Hawaiian Pro Designs.
But surfboards aren’t the only speciality at Down The Line. They also stock all the leading brands in wetsuits, including O’Neill, Patagonia, Rip Curl, Vissla, C-Skins, XCEL, and the much-loved Australian brand Zion Wetsuits, which they directly import.
They’re not just selling equipment; they’re sharing their knowledge and passion for surfing with their customers. And with their shop located in the town of Hayle, right on the doorstep of some of Cornwall’s best surf spots, it’s the perfect place to stop by and meet the team.
Surfed Out, Croyde/Braunton
Location: 6 Caen Field Shopping Centre, Braunton, EX33 1EE
I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting Surfed Out once while I was up in Braunton village in North Devon but the shop did not disappoint.
With over 20 years of experience in the business, this friendly specialist UK surf shop is conveniently situated near some of the UK’s most renowned surf spots like Saunton, Croyde, Putsborough and the local classic Lynmouth.
Upon entering the relaxed showroom, I was greeted by knowledgeable, friendly staff who were eager to assist me with any surfing questions and had a great understanding of fins, rails, and board design.
They have a vast collection of surfboards, ranging from entry-level to top-of-the-range high-performance blades, and they can offer expert advice on finding the perfect surfboard for your style and skill level.
*Need a bargain? – They even stock an extensive collection of new and second-hand longboards and shortboards if you want to grab yourself some pre-loved fibreglass.
You’ll find all the usual suspects in the showroom and a few surprises, I’ve listed all of the surfboard brands I saw in stock below:
- Firewire Surfboards
- Skindog Surfboards
- Aloha
- Cortez
- Hawaiian Soul
- JP surfboards
- Surfed Out Surfboards (Their own range of boards)
They even have a beautiful collection of vintage surfboards on display that you can appreciate even if you can’t surf them.
Aside from boards, Surfed Out offers a great range of surfing essentials from leading brands like O’Neill, Patagonia, Rip Curl, Vissla, and XCEL.
Surfed Out is a gem of a UK surf shop, whether you’re looking for a new surfboard, surfing essentials, or vintage surf memorabilia, you’ll find everything you need and more in Surfed Out.
Ann’s Cottage, St Columb
Location: St Columb Industrial Estate, Ann’s Cottage Surf Clearance Warehouse Unit 4, Saint Columb, TR9 6SF
Ann’s Cottage Surf Shops began its journey on Polzeath Beach, located in Cornwall, during the summer of 1978.
From then on, the brand has become renowned across Europe as one of the leading retailers of surf and lifestyle products, earning a significant reputation in the industry.
With over 40 years of experience, Ann’s Cottage is one of the UK’s leading surf and lifestyle fashion stores.
Their products are available in over 60 countries worldwide, catering to the needs of thousands of customers every year.
They stock over 10,000 items, from surf hardware to fashion essentials, suitable for beginners and pros alike.
As a family-run business, Ann’s Cottage values local communities and charities. Although our owner and Managing Director, Rob Harris, passed away in 2021, his legacy continues through the shop’s continued support for local charities.
Their primary charity is the Cornwall Air Ambulance, which was crucial in saving the life of Rob’s daughter, Sophie, following a devastating car accident.
Boardshop, East Wittering
Location: Unit M3, Hilton Park Church, Farm Lane, East Wittering, West Sussex, PO20 8RL
Welcome to Boardshop, one of the UK’s best surf shops, founded over a decade ago by Ian and Roger with the goal of providing exceptional surf equipment and service to everyone who surfs, from beginners to seasoned travellers.
They’re passionate about surfing, and over the years, Boardshop has evolved into more than just a shop, offering innovative services like their board customizer, trade-in program, 0% finance, and Ride Out Guarantee.
They specialize in surfboards, wetsuits, and hardware from leading brands like Channel Islands, Firewire, Lost, Pukas, O’Neill, Xcel, Rip Curl, Billabong, FCS, Futures, Ocean & Earth, and more.
Located in the village of East Wittering on the stunning South coast of England, they may not have the best surf spots on earth on their doorstep, but it doesn’t affect their passion for everything surf.
Boardshop stands out by consistently delivering great content in the form of surfboard and wetsuit reviews you can find on their Youtube channel.
Please don’t take my word for it; head to their website and start dreaming about your next new surfboard.
Sorted Surf Shop, Bournemouth
Location: 42a Sea Rd, Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH5 1BQ
Despite a challenging position in the English Channel, Bournemouth still has a thriving surf scene and a committed crew of locals that are ready to pounce as soon as the report looks good.
Right smack bang in the middle of Bournemouth’s surfing community is Sorted Surf Shop. They offer a range of awesome boards and wetsuits for killer prices.
They boast a massive 7,000 sq ft of space spread out over four different locations throughout the town with the most impressive offerings in their hardware store located near Boscombe Pier.
Sorted Surf Shop also has a surf school located on the beach at Boscombe where they cater to all levels of surf and SUP coaching, and have a huge fleet of hire equipment available if you want to teach yourself to surf.
Secret Spot, Scarborough
Location: 4 Pavilion Terrace, Scarborough, YO11 2JU
Now we head north to the chilly shores of the North Sea and Scarborough, one of the hubs of surfing in the north of England.
Established way back in 1989 by Roger Povey in Scarborough, this surf shop has a fascinating history that’s closely intertwined with the evolution of surfing in Scarborough.
Originally, Rog used to hire out surfboards from his trailer to surfers at North and South Bay who were willing to brace the cold waters.
After a year or so, he decided to set up permanent premises on Hanover Road, where he sold the finest boards, wetsuits, and clothing that the 90s had to offer.
Finally, in 1992, Secret Spot moved to its current location on Pavilion Terrace, and Rog found a new partner in Tomo, helping the business grow.
Today, Secret Spot is one of the oldest surf shops in the country, and it is still run by Tomo.
While surfing and surfers may have changed significantly since the shop’s inception, one thing has remained constant, and that is Secret Spot’s unwavering commitment to providing expert advice to anyone who enters the door.
So, if you’re on the lookout for quality surf gear and accessories in North England, Secret Spot is a must-visit that should definitely be on your radar.
Pura Vida Boardriders, Penarth
Location: Unit 2, Herbert Terrace, Cardiff, Penarth, CF64 2AH
This fantastic watersports shop has been a mainstay in Penarth, South Wales since it first opened its doors to customers in 2008.
Over the years, Puravida Boardriders has built up an impressive reputation as a go-to destination for watersports enthusiasts of all levels.
From surfers to windsurfers to SUP enthusiasts, this shop is passionate about providing the best possible equipment and advice to help their customers make the most of their time on the water.
Their friendly and knowledgeable staff are always happy to chat and offer their honest opinions on what will suit you best.
Conclusion
The UK is home to some of the best surf shops in the world, catering to the needs of surfers from Cornwall to Scotland.
Behind every surf shop is a team of individuals who have devoted their lives and livelihood to selling surf gear.
As the sport continues to grow, it’s heartwarming to see how surfing has brought people together and created a sense of community.
It’s not just about catching the perfect wave, but it’s also about the friendships and connections that are made along the way.
So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie to the sport, the UK’s surf shops have got you covered. Get out there, catch a wave, and join the family.