About BN

We’re well on the way to completing the major project to redevelop the Sunfolk site in St Albans that BN were privileged to be able to take on back in 2020, and we’re looking forward to reopening the site to BN members and other Naturists later this year. If you can’t wait until then and would like a ‘sneak peek’ at what has been going on, then you might want to join one of the tours of the site which will be held in February. The tours will be held at 09:30, 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00 on

The kitchen has been refreshed to provide a good space for serious food prep. For more casual eating and drinking, guests can use the more sociable space with its large breakfast bar. We've had more good feedback! Kevin said, 'I really can’t recommend Sunfolk more to either people trying Naturism for the first time or anyone looking for an easy place to visit for the day. With kindness and a welcome from the wonderful wardens and the friendly people at Sunfolk, it is a beautiful place

The weather improved (hurrah!) and we've seen a steady flow of guests coming to our redeveloped site for day visits, to camp on the lawns, stay over in their camper vans or take one of our glamping pods. Despite the heat outside, the new sauna has been popular and looks out over the decking and the sun lawn, making it a much more social space and easier to find than is often the case. More people are telling us how much they like it - here's a testimonial from Andy and Helen: We v

The largest part of the indoor space is given over to sofas to provide a comfortable social space. The whole front wall is glass doors providing lots of light and allowing the summer to be brought in when it is warmer. When it is cooler, it now a properly insulated sheltered space with the log burner that makes it a viable space all year round. Here's some more feedback from a happy guest!: With all that has been done, Sunfolk is an excellent place.  I fully endorse all that has been s

Our site at Sunfolk received a very welcome (although slightly late!) 90th birthday present in late January in the form of approval for the planning application to redevelop and improve the site. This is great news for BN as an organisation, for the hundreds of Naturists who visit the site each year and for Sunfolk itself as it allows us to secure and update our facilities and to welcome visitors for years to come. Approval took nearly a year—much longer than we had hoped. We had a lot of s

The recent great weather has further increased the popularity of our redeveloped site just north of London. It's good to see many people planning their visits well in advance, but we're also getting many people just making that decision when they see the sun rising high in the sky! In an article which members will read in the forthcoming issue of BN Magazine (out in early September), BN Chairman Colin Taylor writes (amongst other things): 'You can stay over or visit for the day. We hav

BN Chair, Colin Taylor, says: 'There's been a really great atmosphere in the Pavilion at British Naturism’s site Sunfolk this week, despite some awful weather but the Pavilion was full and warm and really busy. Evenings have been great with a very mixed bunch sitting in the bistro setting. Lively conversation from visitors around the world as well as YBN  members here for the YBN week. We’ve had some international visitors too, from Belgium and Israel as well as international travellers and

This weekend, British Naturism is set to host a special Pride event at Sunfolk, running from 20 to 22 September. Designed as a relaxed, inclusive gathering, the event is open to everyone - whether you're part of the LGBTQ+ community or simply looking to enjoy a welcoming, open atmosphere. Attendees will have the chance to meet new people, unwind, and connect in the sunshine. With the weather forecast predicting temperatures above 20°C, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the outdoor setting, com

Election of Vice Chair - Colin Ratcliff We are pleased to announce the election of Colin Ratcliff as the new Vice Chair of British Naturism.  Colin has been a member for 15 years, one of the wardens at Sunfolk and a regular attendee and volunteer at many of our events.  Professionally, Colin is a retired Detective Inspector and department head in forensic and homicide sectors.  Colin’s professional experience within the police force brings us an understanding of the metho

I had the pleasure, coincidentally, of being the first Warden on duty at the re-opening of BN: Sunfolk last weekend, writes BN Chairman Colin Taylor,  along with my fellow Warden, Paul Rodgers. There was still lots to do when I arrived on Thursday evening ready to welcome our first visitors on Friday when the gates reopened at 10 o’clock. Volunteers were on site to help, the ever-present Chris Mills who delighted in getting on the ride-on mower to give the grass a once-over and Paul who had been

Friday 13th of March 2020 proved to be an unusually auspicious day for naturism.  In a major new undertaking for British Naturism, we took over The Sun-Folk Society and its land and property.  This unprecedented move will secure the future of the Sunfolk site and its character, and will present opportunities which we expect will form a central tool in the advancement of naturism in the years ahead.  The property will in future be known as “British Naturism: Sunfolk”, and we aim to make the prope

As many members will be aware, a team of volunteers and professionals have been working hard over the last three years to develop and implement a masterplan for the Sunfolk site acquired by BN in 2020. After numerous surveys, site meetings, technical drawings, and negotiations with the local planning authority, the hard work paid off in February when we were finally able to start work on the first phase of the development masterplan. When BN acquired Sunfolk, it already enjoyed many gr

We had many positive comments from the first visitors to our newly redeveloped site near St. Albans, Hertfordshire. In fact, the only negative one has been the weather! Arranging permanent sunshine is scheduled for phase three of the project... Here's a testimonial taken from Chas' blog on our members' forum. Feel free to create your own and if you have feedback to share about your visit to British Naturism: Sunfolk please write in and tell us. Members can post their messages in the Sunfolk

British Naturism: Sunfolk is a five-acre woodland site owned and operated by British Naturism. It’s five minutes from where the M1 and M25 join, just outside of St Albans. It’s perfect for seasoned Naturists and those looking to explore a clothes-free world for the first time. Everyone is welcome! Over the last year or so we have invested hugely in the site and its facilities. Testament to the strength and passion of our community is that some of the finance required and many of the items y

We have a mammoth task ahead this weekend - moving and spreading topsoil for the new lawn at BN's very own site near St Albans. A number of our regular volunteers are away (sunning themselves) and so we are lower on numbers than usual! If anyone fancies a day of wheelbarrowing top soil and wielding a rake then it would be great to welcome you. Working hours will be 10.00am to 3.00pm on both Saturday and Sunday. If you can make it, please let me know - mark.walsh

With Sunfolk redeveloped and now open, we continue to explore the new site. A challenge Naturists face in the UK is the weather.  Sitting in the sun on a hot day is great, but what do we do when the weather is more “British”?  This is a challenge that has been addressed in the new designs.  Previous visitors will remember the dark scout hut that was functional, but usually cold and not a place to spend time relaxing.  The Pavilion that has replaced it is a thing of light.  The long, south-fac

We decided to go with slightly larger glamping pods and that now certainly feels the right decision as they are surprisingly spacious and bring a touch of luxury as an alternative to camping! Book yours - and find out more about British Naturism: Sunfolk - at sunfolk.bn.org.uk 

We will work for greater acceptance of naturism, with more places – private and public – available for our use We will provide social and networking opportunities, information and assistance We will work to protect naturism and naturists, and challenge threats to our lifestyle We will work to provide a safe environment for adults and children to enjoy naturism without ridicule or fear We will facilitate, coordinate and support naturist activity. We will set high standards for the integrity

Over 400 people arrived at the Nudefest site in Somerset yesterday, most of them in bright, hot sunshine. (What's the weather like right now? No comment...) Our annual festival, established in 2007, gets full underway today with a packed programme. Today's highlights include meditation, fitness and yoga sessions, team games and sports, hair braiding and didgeridoo workshops, tutored wine-tasting, fire-side storytelling, and two live music acts. We're also bringing in a video wall for t

Burrows Gardens in Derbyshire have been open to the public since 2006. Naturist visits started in 2012 and benefitted from being on a Saturday, as the gardens were closed to the public on that day, writes Andrew Davies Craig Dalton took over the farm in the 1980s - the house having been bought by his grandfather in the 1920s. Craig developed the gardens but as it became more difficult to make money out of agriculture, he sold the farm in 2000, enabling him to indulge in what he had always w

'The forecast looks reasonable for Saturday when we have our first clothes optional visit to Burrows Gardens in 2025,' says organiser Andrew Davies. It's not too late your book your place and if you need any inspiration check out this news story which tells you all you need to know about what to expect and our history with this lovely, welcoming venue.

For those of you who may have been tempted to join a landed Naturist club but put off a decision out of concerns about high fees – delay no more! Morecambe Bay Naturist Club sits on a 10-acre woodland site, “Silverglades,” near Lancaster, in Lancashire. the Club say: “We are a back-to-basics camping site, which means we do not have services such as gas, electric or mains water. Nor do we have fancy buildings, pools, saunas, hook-ups for caravans, or any permanent buildings.” What they

Women in Naturism is an ongoing initiative to try and attract more women into Naturism and to help build body confidence. More men attend events, visit beaches and Naturist holiday resorts, making it appear that Naturism appeals more to men than women, however this is not necessarily the case. Naturism may appeal to a similar number of women but for their own reasons they are reluctant to embrace the lifestyle. The aim of this campaign is to find those reasons and answer the concerns.

As the representative body of Naturism in the UK, British Naturism has a responsibility to promote and protect Naturism. Over the last few years there have been advances that affect our daily lives. The Crown Prosecution Service guidance that nudity is not itself criminal if there is no sexual content or intent has been reinforced by the work of Peter and Christine Wright to have the College of Policing recognise that a police response to Naturism is not necessary and that call centres should be

There is good news from Shaftesbury Lido, where nude swims are hosted by the town council for the 2025 summer season, says BN member Nigel. The plan is to have weekly swims every Tuesday evening once the season begins.  In 2023 the Lido had a Naked Swim once a month; in 2024 it increased to two sessions a month and in 2025, following many requests from our naturist swimmers, it will be a weekly session. The season opening, however, depends on vital improvements to the pool being comple