Storm Watching in the UK: Where to Watch Winter Seas Safely

Most people go to the coast for calm weather. Storm watching turns that on its head: a winter break timed for wild weather, with waves breaking over harbour walls and headlands, watched from a window, a clifftop pub or a safe vantage point well back from the sea. Done properly, it is exhilarating. Done carelessly, it is one of the most dangerous things you can do on the coast.

At a glance

Season: October to March, when Atlantic storms are most frequent. Best coasts: west- and south-west-facing, exposed to the Atlantic. Cost: free. The rule: watch from well back. Never from harbour walls, piers or rocks.

Where to watch

Porthleven, Cornwall

The most photographed storm spot in Britain. Waves breaking over the harbour wall and the clock tower at Porthleven appear in the news almost every winter. The best views are from the higher ground and buildings around the harbour, well back from the water.

West Penwith, Cornwall

Around Penzance and out to Land's End and Sennen, the far west of Cornwall takes the full force of the Atlantic, with headlands and clifftop paths that give views over enormous seas.

North Devon

The surf beaches at Croyde and Woolacombe face straight into the Atlantic swell, and the headlands either side give safe views over them.

Porthcawl, South Wales

Waves crashing over the breakwater and lighthouse at Porthcawl are a winter fixture. As at Porthleven, the spectacle is best enjoyed from a distance.

The North Sea coast

Northerly gales bring big seas to the east coast too. The piers at Tynemouth and the coast around Bamburgh see dramatic conditions, often in clearer, colder weather than the west.

Staying safe

Keep well back

Every winter, people are swept off harbour walls, promenades and rocks while watching or photographing waves. Waves vary in size, and the occasional much larger one arrives without warning. If spray is reaching you, you are too close.

Respect closures

Councils close promenades, harbour arms and coastal paths during storms for good reason. Do not go past barriers.

Check the warnings

Follow Met Office weather warnings and local advice, and avoid driving coastal roads that may flood. If you see someone in trouble in the sea, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard — do not go in after them.

Timing it

Since 2015 the Met Office, together with its Irish and Dutch counterparts, has named the storms expected to have the greatest impact. A named storm is not an invitation: the biggest storms bring the most closures and travel disruption. A strong gale coinciding with a high tide often gives a fine spectacle with far less risk. Check tide times as well as the forecast.

The best way to do it

The ideal storm-watching break is a cottage or hotel room with a sea view, a fire, and nowhere you need to be. You get the spectacle without the risk, and a quiet out-of-season coast. For more, see our guides to winter staycations and seaside breaks.