Seaside town home to famous Grand Designs lighthouse is named among top UK surfing locations
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A SMALL seaside village has been named among the UK's best surfing locations.
The remote area has even reported a rise in tourism due to the faster waves.
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Croyde Bay in North Devon has been named one of the top surfing spots in the UK
Credit: Getty
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The beach is described as having perfect surfing conditions, with fast waves perfect for shortboard surfers
Credit: Alamy
Croyde in North Devon has an estimated population of 600 to 700 people and boasts a three-mile long sandy beach.
The area was recently named as one of the UK's best spots for surfing by the National Trust.
According to the experts, Croyde Bay offers surfers "a faster wave" and proves to be particularly popular with advanced shortboard surfers.
"There are also opportunities for less experienced surfers, with a selection of surf schools to choose from, but beware of the rocks and rip – especially as the waves get bigger," they warned.
Over the past few decades, the area has seen an influx in younger visitors due to the rising popularity of the sport.
And overlooking the scenic bay, sandwiched between Baggy Point and Saunton Down, is an iconic lighthouse home.
The ultra modern home, which featured on an episode of Grand Designs, has previously been dubbed as "one of the UK's most spectacular".
Sitting atop Chesil Cliff, the house is currently listed for £5.5 million on Rightmove.
Despite rumours of A-listers such as Harry Styles showing interest, the unique home has remained on the market for several years.
And even with a stunning infinity pool and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the bay, the house has never actually been lived in.
The 100-year-old theme park by the beach with one of the world's oldest rollercoasters
And while the ambitious lighthouse home may have a more recent history in the area, Croyde Bay can supposedly be traced back to the Viking era.
While the exact origin of the village remains unclear, historians have cited evidence that shows the settlement dates earlier than the Saxon Period.
The area's role in World War II on the other hand is more than documented.
In the lead up to D-Day, the beach was used, particularly by American troops, to practice missions.
The characteristics of the beach and the surrounding area, including Baggy Point, mirrored the Normandy coastline.
Top UK surfing locations
The National Trust rounded up some of the best spots across the UK for surfing. Sharrow Beach at Whitsand Bay
Sandymouth
Holywell and Crantock
Combesgate and Woolacombe
Croyde Bay
Freshwater West, Pembrokeshire
Porthor, Gwynedd
Rhossili, South Wales
Portstewart Strand, Northern Ireland
Compton Bay, Isle of Wight
Saltburn, North Yorkshire
This made it ideal for practicing beach landings and cliff assaults ahead of the operation.
Evidence of this training can still be made out in the area, including a
dummy pillbox placed into the cliffs at Croyde.
American personnel were stationed in a large tented encampment in the area.
This was located around the present day Unison Bay Holiday Park, one of the village's two resorts.
As well as enjoying the perfect swell and the area's history, visitors can also choose from a surprisingly wide variety of restaurants and gastro pubs in the area.
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Chesil Cliff House overlooks the beach, offering panoramic views of the entire bay
Credit: SWNS
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The stunning home featured on an episode of Grand Designs but has been vacant since its construction
Credit: SWNS
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