To someone who lives in Manchester, going surfing sounds like a mission. But going surfing in Edinburgh sounds like pure fantasy. And, to be honest, when I was invited to Lost Shore Edinburgh – a multi-award-winning surf resort which opened in November 2024 on a former brownfield site – I wasn’t sure it was real either. How do you go surfing in Edinburgh? What does it mean?
Well, it turns out that you don’t need a coastline to surf in Edinburgh, you just need an architecturally-award-winning wave pool. This impressive structure comes complete with surf shacks, cool shops, two saunas, panoramic views and some of the most design-forward yet affordable accommodation I’ve come across on my travels with my kids.
Developed on a former quarry next to the Union Canal. Lost Shore Edinburgh has breathed gorgeous life into this abandoned site, restoring its wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands. As such you see local housing nearby as well as planes coming into land at Edinburgh Airport, but the overall vibe is peaceful, nature-packed and active. Birds of prey hover overhead, while families play, relax and enjoying a car-free break from the buzz of daily life down below.
Award-winning accommodation at Lost Shore Edinburgh
We spent two nights in a 3-bedroom hilltop lodge, – arriving late Friday night, and staying through until Sunday morning. The lodge has exceptional heating, views of the pool, three luxurious rooms, and two state-of-the-art bathrooms. But, obviously, everyone’s favourite bit was the surfing. I booked a beginners adult and beginners child session on the Saturday afternoon, and the only difficult part was getting into the wetsuits (and that was just me). Other than that, we all managed to stand up and catch multiple waves.
We were grouped into bunches of around 20 people – kids or adults – with everyone getting to know each other, sitting on their boards. You learn board position (toes over the back end of the board), when to paddle (basically, 3 strokes from when you start to feel pushed along by the board), when to push your body up, and how to stand up.
Takeaways include the importance of leaning forward. Leaning back equals falling off, so you have to keep leaning forward until you’re on your feet. Another thing is working out which foot you want to put forward on the board. You discover this by simply doing what comes naturally to you. Of course, what comes naturally to me is what’s known as a ‘goofy’ (or right foot forward) stance.
The wave pool is impressive too. Around 160 meters long, this is the largest artificial pool of its kind in Europe, with 10 waves whooshing down it at any one time. There are two pools, in a kind of ‘heart’ shape, with the wave generating machine running down the centre of the ‘heart. A rip channel sucks you out along the centreline, while the waves on the outside of the heart drive you back into shore.
Actually surfing…
We paddle out, before crossing the middle of the pool and being firmly shoved back into shore by the instructors. The adults surf down the middle of the pool, while the kids are doing a similar thing along the outer wall, away from the rip tide. My first few rides are pretty shaky, but on the third go I manage to stand up and somehow keep my balance all the way in. It feels like I’m not even doing it myself, the board is moving itself and I’m here for the ride.
Around half way through my session, I walk over to check on the kids. The twins, 13, are regularly riding in standing up and then there’s the 7 year old, doing exactly the same, screaming with glee.
Our day ends with chicken burgers and pizza in the food hall with a vibey bar. There’s a crowd of hip locals here, all watching the sunset over the water as the kids and dogs play on bikes and skateboards around the breath-taking expanse beside the pool.
The only downside is the walk back up the hill to our cabin. It’s worth noting that you can’t drive to your accommodation; you have to park at the bottom of the hill and get whizzed up to your cabin on a modified golf buggy on the day of arrival and departure. Other than that, its up to you. That said, when I quiz the kids about their stay, the golf buggy is their favourite thing after the surfing. A morning sauna and swim is the stand-out moment for me. After the surfing, of course.
All in all, I can’t recommend Lost Shore enough. Its beautifully maintained and has that really ‘new’ feeling of somewhere that’s recently been invested in, and reasonably priced. The café, shops, sauna and so on are head and shoulders above the same kind of thing you’d find at Center Parcs for four times the price. Plus your holiday is car free, active, contained and seriously fun. What more could you ask for from an active family break – at a fraction of the price of the competition?
Accommodation at Lost Shore Edinburgh
Waterfront Lodges are architectural delights and right beside the water, with a lovely expanse around the pool in front of them. It is quite a walk from the hilltop lodges down to the waterfront, so I’d say these are good if you have little kids and don’t want to have to schlep up and down the big hill. They’re also a treat for design lovers. They sleep up to 6 people. From £140 per night – min 2 night stay.
Waterfront Pods are cosy and the best on the market. Don’t just take our word for it though, come and see for yourself! Ideal for individuals or couples. From £100 per night, min 2 night stay.
Three and four bedroom Hilltop Lodges are designed for families and groups, and cater for your every need. These lodges sleep up to 8 people and 2 dogs. From £150 per night.
Activities
Beginners surf lesson – family of 4 – £175.
Sauna (horse box or fixed) – £10 per 30 mins, £18 per 60 mins, or £80 private hire for your group includes supervised cold water swim on the hour. Sessions typically run from quarter past the hour for either 30 or 60 mins.
Lost Shore Surf Resort, 11 South Platt Hill, Newbridge, EH28 8AY. www.lostshore.com
Like this? Check out our other family-friendly travel reviews.
- Words:
- Ruth Allan
- Published on:
- Tue 21 Apr 2026
