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Surfing? In London? That might sound like a tall tale, but it could soon become a reality. Forget the capital's reputation for food markets, world-class galleries and historical architecture – soon you might be swapping your Oyster card for a surfboard.
The unlikely setting is Lee Valley Leisure Complex in Enfield, a 26-mile park crossing London, Essex and Hertfordshire. The location has been earmarked to be the home of the capital’s first inland surf destination, Surf London.
At its heart will be a vast 200-metre-wide surf lake, powered by next-generation wave-making tech. Beginners will be able to catch gentle 50-centimetre rollers, while seasoned surfers can test themselves against breaks reaching almost two metres.
But this isn’t just about the waves. The £60m project is designed as a year-round leisure resort, spread across a whopping 104 acres. When the weather refuses to play ball, visitors can warm up in the lakeside cafe, browse shops or make use of versatile indoor spaces. Surf London will also be home to a host of other sports and wellbeing activities, making it a one-stop-shop for recreation.
And for those who don’t fancy the schlep home after a surf session, a newly reimagined accommodation complex will rise on the north shore of the surf lake, complete with boutique glamping pods.
Surf London has already secured approval from Enfield Council, but the resort still needs the Greater London Authority to give it the nod. If it all goes to plan, construction could kick off next year, transforming Lee Valley into one of the UK’s most unexpected surf spots.
The company behind it all, Crest Experiences, is no stranger to making waves inland. Back in 2019 it launched The Wave in Bristol, which quickly became a hit with surfers and day-trippers alike. If London’s version follows suit - on an even bigger scale - the city could soon find itself with a surf scene to rival the coast.
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