Bamburgh
Surfing below one of England's most spectacular castles, on an almost empty beach.
Bamburgh beach stretches below its castle, which sits on a crag of volcanic rock. The best banks are usually at the northern end, near the rocks, but they move around: it's worth walking along the beach.
There are almost always very few people, and seals in the water are common.
Spot facts
| Wave type | Beach break |
|---|---|
| Direction | Lefts and rights |
| Level | All levels |
| Best swell | N, NE, E |
| Best wind (offshore) | W, SW, NW |
| Tide | All tides |
| Size | 0.5–2 m |
| Best season | Autumn to spring |
| Crowd | Light |
| Localism | Low |
Surf forecast
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Hour-by-hour forecast for 14 days, with stars for your board and level, and the whole site without ads.
Model forecast for open water a few kilometres offshore: it can't see sandbanks or the shelter of headlands and jetties. The rating (0–5) is worked out from this spot's ideal swell and wind. Use it as a guide and check the sea before paddling out. Data: Open-Meteo (DWD, ECMWF; CC BY 4.0)
Which board to bring
A funboard or shortboard; a longboard in small swell. How many litres? Work out your volume with the volume calculator.
What to bring to surf Bamburgh
The water is around 7 °C in winter and 14 °C in late summer. This is what we'd bring for this spot's water, level and boards.
For water below 7 °C.
View on AmazonWarm feet in winter and protection on rocks.
View on AmazonThe safest, easiest board to learn on here.
View on AmazonKeeps your board from drifting off or hitting someone.
View on AmazonHold and smooth turns for a single fin.
View on AmazonThe three-fin set for a shortboard.
View on AmazonAmazon affiliate links: if you buy through them, Shapers Europe earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Localism and vibe
Hardly anyone in the water.
Surfing style
Beach break.
Hazards
Rocks at the northern end and cold water.
Map
Other spots nearby
Northumberland
A wild bay facing the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle.
Whitley Bay (Tyneside)
A powerful reef near Whitley Bay that holds big North Sea storms.
Tynemouth (Newcastle)
Newcastle's surf beach: lots of surf schools and plenty of waves for everyone.
Saltburn-by-the-Sea (Yorkshire)
Yorkshire's surf hub, with peaks on both sides of the Victorian pier.
All spots in North-East England →
Indicative information gathered from surf guides and surfers' experience. Conditions change with the sandbanks: check the forecast and ask at the beach.