Croyde Bay, home of Grand Designs Lighthouse named one of the UK’s best surfing spots
The town where the famous Grand Designs lighthouse was built is now among the UK's top locations for surfing
Everyone remembers the Grand Designs lighthouse. It was one of the most iconic builds on Grand Designs ever and actually was billed one of the saddest episodes ever.
It has hit the headlines in recent times as the town its placed in has been named as a top surfing location in the UK.
But where did it all begin?
What is the Grand Designs lighthouse?
We first heard the story of the Grand Designs Lighthouse back in 2019, when it aired on our screens, but the real story began back in 2008.
Edward and his wife Hazel bought a 1950s clifftop home in Croyde Bay. It was perched above two rocky coves and was deemed perfect for bringing up their two daughters.
But, the family felt the house didn’t match the setting, so decided to replace it with a modern mansion.
Planning approval was granted in 2010, and the couple expected to pay for the build through savings and borrowing. However, during the economic downturn of 2012, the bank refused to lend them the 1.8 million needed.
Complications in Croyde Bay
In May 2014 a solution was seemingly found when Edward borrowed £500,000 from a hedge fund.
This allowed him to build a three-bedroom detached home called The Eye.
This was at the edge of the plot, with the plan being to borrow against it to fund the Grand Designs lighthouse.
It did enable him to secure a loan of £2.5 million from private investors. This was more than originally planned but costs were skyrocketing.
The plan to sell The Eye to help with spiralling costs failed as the value was reduced due to the hazardous building site.
This meant in 2018 the project was stalled, leaving them with £4 million in debt.
As a result, the pressure of it all meant that Edward and Hazel separated.
However, all was not totally lost. It took two years to agree new terms, but Edward was able to settle the debt and raise new funds with work restarting in April 2020.
The house was completed, and along with The Eye (which cost £1 million to build), the lighthouse was put up for sale in summer 2022 for £10 million.
Fast forward to now, and Croyde Bay in North Devon, where the lighthouse was built, has been named one of the best surfing locations in the UK.
A spectacular surf
The research on surfing spots, released by the National Trust, states that Croyde Bay offers a ‘faster wave’, proving to be popular with advanced shortboard surfers.
Croyde has an estimated population of 600-700 people and has a three mile long stunning sandy beach.
“There are also opportunities for less experienced surfers, with a selection of surf schools to choose from.
However, you need to beware of the rocks and rip – especially as the waves get bigger,” experts have warned.
Croyde Bay has seen a sharp rise in the numbers of younger visitors visiting the area, which is overlooked by the iconic lighthouse home.
Sandwiched between Baggy Point and Saunton Down on Chesil Cliff, the lighthouse is ultra modern and is currently listed for £5.5 million on Rightmove.
The lighthouse has been on the market for a few years now, despite rumours of celebrities like Harry Styles wanting to snap it up.
But it seems that even with the stunning infinity pool and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer an unrivalled view of the bay, it’s not quite enough.
It has never been lived in, despite being completed for a good while.
Why else is Croyde Bay famous?
While the famous Grand Designs lighthouse and surfing location has contributed to more recent allure in the area, Croyde Bay itself dates back to Viking times.
Historians have cited evidence that suggest a settlement was in Croyde Bay earlier than the Saxon period. Although there isn’t much to back up that claim.
There is however, plenty of evidence documenting its role in the first world war.
In the lead up to D-Day, Croyde Bay’s three miles of beach was used by American troops to practice missions as it was deemed similar to the Normandy coastline.
Evidence of this is still evident today, including a dummy pillbox placed into the Croyde Bay cliffs.
American personnel were also stationed in camps in the area, around the Unison Bay Holiday Park which is there today.
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