Surf spots Europe: Surf Atlas - Onlineboarding.com
Let's face it, the Poms travel the world to go surfing so England must not have very good waves. Never been surfing there but I have friends who have. Best left to 'em I reckon. Head to the coasts of France, Portugal and Spain for the best swell and surf spots in Europe. While in England, maybe head over to the north coast of Ireland where you'll find Donegal Bay. There's an epic left reef near Bundoran and spots littered all along the coast. The biggest swells hit during the winter months, but so do the cold waters and you'll need a 5mm suit.

France
Everyone knows Hossegor due to its ASP WCT Surf contests. Around here there's Escondido style barrels in the right swell. The atlantic sea floor funnels swell into the Cote d'Argent - one super-long stretch of white sandy beach. There's a weird sea-floor effect that goes on here and provides often perfect banks. Head north from La Piste near Capbreton and you'll score 'more protected' beachies but plan on some heads in the water. The culmination of beaches around Hossegor is insane. Easy access though to spots such as La Centrale, Les Estagnots and Bourdaines (big carparks) means lots of surfers.
Perhaps the style of Biarritz will provide some crowd relief. It's coast faces straight into the NW winds which can suck but the upside is that it catches the North Atlantic swells. Lafitenia is a sick right point between St Jean de Luz and Guthary. If its massive, head to Hendaye Plage which offers protection, but be prepared for heaps of spuds in the water.

Spain & Portugal
One word probably sums up Spain: Mundaka. This fishing village/rivermouth combo offers a perfect sandbank that gets better after heavy rains. It likes a South wind and a low incoming tide. Getting out is easy but be careful of the rip that drags you out to sea. Still in Spain, on the north west outskirts of the Ferrol region there's more world class surf spots like Pantin - protected in a NE wind but crowded. In Portugal, the town of Penich pokes out into the Atlantic swell and provides great wind relief. Bail Penich and head to Coxos near the town of Ribamar. Around here venues such as Ribiera near the rivermouth regularly turn on epic waves. In Portugal's extreme south on the tip of the Peninsula there's a variety of uncrowded waves. Head to Vila do Bispo and sample Tonel, Beliche and Cordama.