The Wave: Bristol's Inland Surfing Park

If you thought that you needed to travel all the way to the coast to go surfing – you would be wrong! The Wave in Bristol is an inland surfing destination that combines the waves that you would get in the ocean, with the convenience of being on the outskirts of a major city!

Bristol’s Inland Surfing Destination, Just 15 Miles From The Cottage Inn

After spending an exhausting day riding the waves, stop by The Cottage Inn and enjoy a delicious meal, washed down with a pint of our award-winning Butcombe beer.

What Is The Wave?

Since opening in 2019, The Wave has quickly become one of the most popular water sports destinations in the UK. Conveniently located near to the M5 motorway and just 20 minutes from Bristol City Centre, it is frequented by visitors from all over the country.

Primarily a surfing destination, visitors can enjoy lessons, coaching or, for more experienced riders, the freedom to ride the waves at their own leisure. There is also the opportunity to use the wave pool, enjoy some food & drink or relax among the nature while enjoying a camping break.

Surfing Lessons & Coaching

Surfing lessons are available at The Wave for people of all ages and abilities. Whether you have never surfed before or are a seasoned pro, the lessons and coaching available at The Wave has been structured to encourage the development of all surfers at a pace that is comfortable to them.

From beginners learning the fundamentals of surfing to enable them to tackle their first waves, through to coaching for expert surfers wanting to improve their technique to tackle the biggest waves possible. Adaptive surfing sessions are available for surfers with physical, learning and sensory impairments.

Surfing Sessions

Surfing sessions at The Wave are tailored for riders of all abilities, so you will never be out of your depth (pun intended!)

Once you have mastered the basics from your first lessons, you will be ready to enjoy the beginner and novice surf sessions, which allow you to practice the skills that you have learned, and repeat them until they are perfected.

Surfers can then move on to improving, intermediate and advanced sessions as their skills improve and their confidence grows.

The Wavepool

If you would like to enjoy the water but don’t want to surf, or want to build up your water confidence before embarking on your surfing journey, then the wavepool at The Wave may well be the perfect place for you.

Available for the whole family, you can enjoy the small waves lapping the shore, before venturing out further and tackling some of the bigger waves! Surfboards aren’t allowed in the wavepool, making it a safe area for everyone to enjoy.

Camping & Surfing

Surprisingly, The Wave isn’t just about surfing!

The Camp offers visitors the chance to stay over at The Wave and enjoy an authentic experience, akin to staying near the ocean with the waves on your doorstep.

The glamping tents provide a kitchenette, bathroom, balcony, comfortable beds and the opportunity to be just metres away from the wavepool, where you can surf to your heart’s content.

Food & Drink At The Wave

Surfing is a very energetic water sport, so it is natural that you will be hungry or thirsty after your session.

The clubhouse at The Wave offers plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, allowing you the chance to refuel before getting back out on the waves, or to enjoy a meal with family or friends and discuss the achievements (and failures!) that you encountered during your session.

During the summer months, a number of pop-up food stalls will be at The Wave, allowing some of the fantastic local producers the chance to showcase their seasonal offerings to hungry visitors.

Timings:

Breakfast Menu: 7:30am-11:30am
Main Menu: 12:00pm-7:30pm

Directions To The Cottage Inn From The Wave

The Cottage Inn dates back to 1868 and was once used by merchants for storing Baltic timber for the growing number of businesses in the dock during that period. Today, it’s a buzzing pub with stunning views across the harbour overlooking Clifton, and a menu offering delicious takes on pub classics with a focus on seasonal ingredients, fresh fish and seafood.

To reach The Cottage Inn from The Wave, you must head north-west, turn left and then, after half a mile, turn left again towards Blackhorse Hill (B4055). Continue for 1.5 miles until you reach Cribbs Causeway Interchange, where you must take the 3rd exit onto Merlin Road. Continue onto Exit 17 (signs for Avonmouth/M5).

Merge onto M5 and continue for 2 miles, then at junction 18A, exit towards A4/Avonmouth/Bristol (W)/Airport. Use the right lane to merge onto M49 and then continue onto M5 (signs for Avonmouth/Bristol/Airport/A4). Use the left 2 lanes to take the A4 exit towards Bristol/Airport/Shirehampton.

At Portway Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Portway (A4) and continue for approximately 5 miles. Continue straight onto Cabot Way and then continue onto Brunel Way/Plimsoll Swingbridge/A3029. Use the left lane to take the slip road to Temple/Meads/Bedminster and then merge onto Jessop Upas (A370). After 1.5 miles, at Bedminster Bridge Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Commercial Road and then, at the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Cumberland Road. Turn right and The Cottage Inn will be on the left.