The Wave, Bristol, for families
The Wave has turned a farm outside Bristol into an unlikely surf spot. The man-made waves are ideal for beginners to learn to surf on.
Why visit the Wave in Bristol?
The Wave is an artificial surfing lagoon set up in farmland on the outskirts of Bristol. Powered by technology that can produce waves up to two metres high every ten seconds, it’s somewhere that surfers can experience consistent conditions without having to schlep it to the coast.
It’s also somewhere beginners can learn in a safe environment. The ability to control the size of the waves means that those with different skill levels can have lessons in conditions suited to them.
There are several different lessons and sessions available, some for women only, some focusing on turns and – more importantly for readers of this site – Little Rippers lessons aimed at four to nine-year-old children.
The Wave with kids
The first thing to note about the Wave is that it is a bafflingly long walk from the car park. It’s a fair old distance for a kid to carry a board if you’re bringing your own.
The second is that it’s not just for surfers. There are also bodyboarding sessions available, which are more about fun and less about getting the right technique.
There’s also a Play In The Bay session, where surfboards are not allowed, and kids can have a merry splash around, gaining confidence in the smaller waves.
Out of the water, there’s also a playground area.
The Wave, Bristol, review: The best bit
Time a visit for the Play In The Bay session, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much the kids enjoy watching the surfers afterwards. It’s worth hanging out in the café after your session to observe the more experienced waveriders at it.
Infants, juniors or secondary?
The Play In The Bay sessions at the Wave are more suited to junior age children, but can work for infants, too. This is a great attraction for secondary age children, though, particularly if they can build their confidence and skills up through a few lessons before being let loose on their own.
The Wave entry prices
Beginner surfing lessons at the Wave cost £55 for adults and £45 for children. Hour-long surfing sessions generally cost £50 for adults and £40 for children. Board and wetsuit hire is included in the price.
The Play In The Bay sessions cost £10 per adult and £8 per child, although a £15 combo ticket for an adult and child under nine-years-old is available. One on one supervision is required for children under the age of nine.
Prices were last checked and updated on 21 November 2024.
Full day, half day or a couple of hours?
Realistically, you’ll spend a couple of hours at the Wave unless you hang out at the café and play area after your session in the water.
Attractions near the Wave in Bristol
Nearby attractions that can be combined with a visit to the Wave in Bristol include:
- The Bristol Zoo Project.
- Aerospace Bristol in Patchway.
- The SS Great Britain on Bristol Harbour.
Nearby cities
The Wave is in Easter Compton near Junction 17 of the M5, to the north of Bristol.
Other cities within a 90 minute drive of the Wave include Exeter, Bath, Wells, Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester.
Is it open on Mondays?
In the summer months, the Wave is open seven days a week. It switches to Wednesday to Sunday for the rest of the year.
More information
For more information, visit the Wave’s website.
