Cornwall/Devon towns similar to Lyme Regis with Surfing?

[Thematic]

We went to Lyme Regis last year with our tween/teen and had a really fun time. It was the right kind of town for us - big enough but small enough, refined enough but busy enough, just the right kind of places to eat (good gastro pubs rather than Michelin Star restaurants or Wetherspoons standard!), good walks nearby, nice beach, places to go crabbing, pretty shops for pottering and really quaint and pretty. We're thinking of heading to either Devon or Cornwall this year and would like to find somewhere with a similar feel to it where we can rent a cottage. But the boys would like to learn to surf so ideally with surfing lessons nearby. Newquay and Falmouth probably too big for us but nowhere too small either as I can't be doing with mega crowded places. Somewhere inbetween. Any suggestions please? . North maybe better for make the drive a bit shorter. We have a healthy budget. Thanks

Woolacombe and Croyde are lovely for surfing, I always like the chilled vibe down there, they are small villages towns though x

Padstow is a lovely little harbour town with good surfing beaches close by.

Everywhere in north Devon and Cornwall with surf beaches that offer lessons and equipment is crowded in the summer..we go to Polzeath for amazing surfing, but only over New Year!
You could try Pembrokshire which is less crowded (but still crowded).

Sorry pressed send too soon. St Davids in Wales is lovely and has surf beaches close by, amazing walks, lovely shops, pubs, a cathedral and walks to the local beach (not surf!).

Polzeath is great for surfing and fun for kids. Padstow for shopping and eating out is easily accessible on the ferry from Rock on the ferry, or by driving round.

Bude seems to fit the bill. Lovely sea pool and costal path.

Perranporth
Sennen Cove

You need to be on the north side for surfing, croyde is the best place but nothing like lyme Regis

St. Ives is gorgeous, but very busy.

Bude

Croyde looks a bit quiet for our taste. We can drive to surf lessons, but I'd like to stay in a town with stuff going on so we can walk out for food in the evenings.

Perranporth is a nice town and also offer surfing lessons.

Bude is a good shout..

Westward Ho... small but can walk out and about and a few places to eat.

I'd say Bude fits the bill.

If you want somewhat smaller than Newquay but not too small I’d say St Ives. Maybe Padstow.

St Ives is magic. Several beaches to choose from with different character. ... including a great surf beach with lessons and kit hire etc. Eateries are fab 😀

Bude
Perranporth
Croyde is great

You'll be looking on the North Coast for the surfing.

In Devon thats Woolacombe, Croyde and Saunton.

In Cornwall its Bude, the small villages on the coast inc popular beaches of Polzeath, and Mawgen Porth, then St Ives. Just outside of Newquay is Perranporth.

St Ives is lovely but expensive!

Look into where you'll get surf lessons before booking.

Pity, Looe has some lovely eateries and a beach but no surfing! Kayaking and sea swimming are popular, but no surfing on this coast.

St Ives is our fav, absolutely heaving in the summer but I don't really mind that, never bothered me. Lots of great places to eat and drink (book in advance in the summer), and make sure you get a property with a parking space (would never book one without) and you're laughing. Everything you need is right there.

Apart from the surfing I think you'd like Fowey. It's a bit upmarket, fantastic restaurants, very beautiful. Nice little beach or you can drive to Par Sands.

Of course St Ives is amazing but it's incredibly busy in the school holidays.

can't beat Gwithian for surfing (DH is from Cornwall) ditto Porthreath.

Ilfracombe as a base & you can drive to Woolacombe & Croyde?

watergate bay is fun for surfing, well the whole coast there is, so you could stay in or near padstow and then you've access to nice pubs and restaurants in padstow, and down to newquay. polzeath is nice and there are several nice eateries but it is not quite the same vibe as lyme regis - it is really only the few shops on the front.

St Ives is also nice - I know it is has a reputation for being busy but once you've parked your car you don't need to leave and can walk everywhere. you can also arrive there by train.

Bude is much more of a town, but good surfing - both in the town and slightly further down at widemouth. There's also the sea pool which is nice for something different, plus the canal if you did want to kayak etc.