Where best for UK family surfing next August?

[AnotherBreakfast]

We’ve just surfed as a family for the first time and kids both keen to surf again next summer. We have no idea about best locations to do this in UK so pretty open minded.
looking for somewhere that would suit beginner surfers, with surf hire on the beach, not too busy and not full of seaside arcades, if possible with a nice local town with independent cafes and shops.
It also needs to be dog friendly.
would love recommendations

Croyde in Devon is lovely, Has a surf school and a beach manned by lifeguards. Fits your brief - some nice pubs and a few little shops/restaurants.
Not sure about dogs on the beach though but I think that could be an issue wherever.
There’s also Woolacombe a few miles down the road.
Cornwall has Watergate bay and there’s Fistral beach in Newquay but I think you probably wouldn’t like the town itself from your description.

Mawgan Porth in Cornwall

Another vote for Croyde/ Woolacombe .

Longsands Tynemouth.

you can also book the use of a lovely new glass on the beach sauna. Two surf schools

Dogs can go the other end of the beach in the summer, but it’s not far at all. Cafe both ends of the beach. No arcades. Lots of lovely independent shops and cafes.

king eddies (next beach) has Riley’s fish shack

Lots of good options down in Cornwall & Devon. Heading that way is probably the safest bet but also busy. A couple of other good options would be:
Northumberland coast - Beadnal Bay and surrounding areas.
Scarborough north bay and Cayton bay could also work. Both have surf hire on the beach but there are definitely sections of the beach that wont allow dogs, I suspect you might find this in a lot of places.

I second this.