Jump to content

News and Articles

News and articles about BN and the wonderful world of Naturism
A shout out to Bare Necessities Tour and Travel, the world's leading providers of nude cruises, who are kindly sponsoring three big  British Naturism events this year - at Blackpool, Nudefest and Alton Towers - tickets now on sale for the latter!
We are very grateful for sponsorship support which allows us to add activities to the evens which otherwise may not be possible. 
Bare Necessities run three or four cruises each year and are currently taking bookings for:
Western Caribbean - ’The Big Nude Boat’ - 7 nights - 23rd February - 1 March 2020. 
Bali to Fiji - 17 nights - 20th May - 6 June 2020. 
Italy and Croatia - 14 nights - 1st August - 15th August 2020.
Southern Caribbean - ’The Big Nude Boat’ - 14 nights -1st February - 28th February 2021.
Find out more at Cruisenude.com
 
 
Following our media sessions at our recent flagship event Nudefest, BN member Jane (above right) featured in a great article in the Daily Star. Well done, Jane!
“To anyone out there considering naturism, especially single women, I implore you to just give it a try, as you won’t regret it." she says. We completely agree.
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/real-life/792649/Naturism-nudism-lifestyle-naked-midlife-crisis-Wales
 
This is an article that we published last year but we thought in view of the circumstances we'd bring it to you again! Two heatwaves in successive years in the UK? Aren't we lucky!
You know that temperatures are soaring over Britain when at least one national newspaper prints a picture of a young woman sunbathing in her bra and pants during her lunch hour, taking advantage of the weather and adapting to her circumstances.
Or perhaps she's using a modicum of common sense? When it's cold, it's intuitive - and socially acceptable - to keep putting on layers until you are warm enough. So, on days like today when it's sweltering and we are sweating in our clothes, feeling mighty uncomfortable, irritable and unable to concentrate, it should be equally acceptable to do the opposite; remove layers until you feel cool again. That probably means all layers, until all that protects you is your own skin. Surely it's not just Naturists that see the sense in that? 
Sadly, decades of social conditioning about what's 'right' or is 'appropriate behaviour' (and what's not) in our society possibly mean that the woman in the picture consciously kept her underwear on when it would have been more sensible to take it off too. We're all (broadly) the same underneath and yet we cling to small strips of fabric even when we don't need to for the sake of 'modesty'. The purpose of clothes is to keep us warm and dry, and you don't need either aspect during a heatwave. You may be reading this and thinking of the social status conferred by what we wear, but do you really need that artificial boost to the ego when you are relaxing in the sun? 
Naturism is also perfectly legal and we've also just published this article that shows how we've worked with the police to make the situation even clearer. Sunbathing naked in your garden is an easy way to start - and so what if the neighbours can see? How can anyone argue with your desire to cool off in the most sensible way?
There's plenty going on in Naturism in the UK and there's a lot more activity than just sunbathing. See our event calendar. Millions of people around the world have discovered the wonderful feeling that comes from spending time without clothes, come and join them. Nothing's better!
 
Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
 
It’s great to announce that we had one of the busiest national galas in years take place at Aylestone Leisure Centre near Leicester. Around 60 swimmers took to the pool for an evening of both competitive an ‘have a go’ swimming. That’s the real attraction of the BN Gala. Nobody is expected to be the next Olympian and whilst it’s hard not to notice there are some are better swimmers than others - it’s about taking part, having fun and challenging yourself.
It’s all official - British Naturism are Members of Swim England and the gala is swum under international rules and under the watchful eye of no less than twelve referees and officials. In fact we had five Olympic referees at the gala this year! There is great team spirit and it really isn’t about just coming first, we had members who had never ever swam in a race in their lives – one guy had never even done a length before! As usual there were medals galore and loads of beaming smiles. There was a good representation of members too, across the majority of age categories – it would be lovely for future events to see more YBN and families attend but they were represented even if in the minority.
One of the benefits of competing in the gala is that it makes you eligible to put your name forward for Team GB, well, Naturist Team GB – who will be travelling to Paris in October to represent BN on the international stage (or starting blocks!) at the INF Gala. It’s an awesome thing to be able to say that you are in representing your country and heading overseas to a tournament. Well done to everyone who took part - see you in Paris!
 
‘I've always been one to strip off and jump into water, and have found myself more comfortable with the less I had to wear. Last Summer, more than any before, I found myself on a mission to swim naked in the sea as often, and for as long as into the year, as possible,’ says Ged Deignan
It really became a thing with the onset of the long, glorious, hot summer we experienced. I had been able to swim for most of the summer. A friend had joined me on holiday in Essex, and at midnight on the first night we walked along the shore at Frinton-on-Sea, up past the higgledy piggledy village of small white holiday huts, and on up the ‘Naze’, as locals called it. It was a warm moonlit night and we found ourselves on a deserted stretch of beach, with no buildings or any sign of life in sight. Although not strictly a Naturist spot, the gently folding waves upon the pebbled beach, were calling to us. We soon found ourselves stripped off in sea water that held the warmth from the intense summer sun. The feeling of being one with nature was magnified under the spotlight of a full moon. We spent a long time in the water, swimming back and forth, talking about life the universe and everything. It was like dancing a gentle waltz with nature.
The actual naturist beach is further along the coast from there, south of Clacton-on-Sea at St. Osyth. It is a shingle beach with sand-dunes and beyond that marshland, rich with wildlife. The far end of the beach is fenced off by a Nature Reserve. It can be accessed from a nearby holiday park, and then a long walk along the shingle beach, which can be hard going after a while. Alternatively, follow the seawall along, and as the tarmac path is replaced by sand, cut across the dunes which will take you out near the start of the naturist section. We spent most of the holiday swimming there.
I've been back a few more times since, whilst working in the area. One stormy day in Clacton, I had decided that after work I would just drive home to Southampton, without going for a swim. After all, the sea would be just too rough. When it came time to leave, the storm was blowing itself out and the rain had stopped. I thought I'd see what it was like on the beach one last time. As I had expected and hoped for, it was completely deserted. The sea was still very rough, the wind was blowing a gale, yet still it was warm and not unpleasant. As a swim was out of the question, I settled for a brisk walk. I stripped off, and headed for the waters edge and then along the shore. With the angry, white waves grabbing at my ankles, the wind blowing me about, the energy needed to move forward whilst completely naked, was not something I'd experienced before, and I found very invigorating.
Eastney beach in Portsmouth is not the most pretty to look at. Although there is a splendid view out across the water towards the Isle of Wight, the beach itself is overlooked by a decaying abandoned military installation. This does not take away from its popularity with the local naturist population - I found it to be more crowded through the summer than the rest of the long curving beach down to the south pier.
So for a quieter time, I headed towards Hill Head and Meon beach, south of Titchfield. This long stretch of beautiful coastline, sits at the foot of tall eroding cliffs. Here I soon got to know the regular naturist folk, who had their own spots dotted along the shore. One lady known to everyone who frequents the beach, was kind enough to invite me to join her social network of naturists.
As an ex-competitive swimmer herself, she sometimes seemed disappointed at my lack of stamina in the water. My amateur status was also shown by my tendency to just run into the sea and start swimming. I was quickly pulled up for this, and told the correct procedure was to enter the water slowly, then to just stay still, allowing the body to acclimatise, before using my muscles.  
I am an author and my idea of finding somewhere to write, was only partially achieved. Little writing was done, as we spent long hours in interesting and varied conversations, in between bursts of swimming in the sea. It is ironic that most of the writing was done at the noisier, busier, Eastney beach. As the summer gave way to autumn, the swims became weekly at best, but I was pleased to still be in the sea through October and into November. 
To see me through the winter, I joined a couple of clubs, the Halcyon and Barton naturist swims. I’ve met some great people and enlarged still further my network of naturist friends. The weather now being against me, I was happy to keep up the exercise that I had become accustomed to, indoors.
My friend with whom I enjoyed the midnight swim in Essex, invited me to join her on a short break and walking holiday in Cornwall.  We arrived in the little picturesque fishing village of Polperro at night, in the middle of a raging storm. Although the weather was still blustery, the next day we were able to follow the little acorn symbols that indicated the coastal path. From a cliff top just outside the entrance to the cove, we looked down upon a large rock pool, that the locals described as being a popular natural swimming pool. I immediately wanted to strip off and go in.  At first, the way down was not obvious, but we then came across a stairway that had been carved out of the rock itself, clearly many, many years ago. This haphazard descent was broken with a landing, half way down the cliff face. Here we met a couple of people, stood taking in the spectacular view. Having joined them in conversation for a while, I grew impatient, and so announced my intention to strip off and go into the pool. I carefully made my way down and picked a pathway across the rocks to the pool. The advice I had been given about how to enter cold water, and about staying still, came to mind. And so I entered. Then came straight back out again. It was cold, as in really cold! Nature did not feel so friendly, and was a reminder of the total respect that she deserves. I turned and tried again. This time It didn’t feel so cold as my body had begun to acclimatise, and I was able to go right in. I spent some time in the pool swimming back and forth, I climbed out on the seaward side, and explored the rocks that were out of sight from the cliff path. The November sun was still strong enough for this to be a pleasant experience, and at times I felt too warm more than anything.
And so my year was complete. Just one more date I had an eye on, and that was New Years day. Having set a new record for how cold I can go, I was confident that I would be able to do this. I posted a message on the BN forum, inviting people to join me for a New Years swim in Portsmouth. I received a few kind messages of support, and one other person turned up on the day. Being on January the 1st, I’ve now started a whole new Skinny Dipping Year…
Photo Credit : Mat Trescowthick
In short - yes!
Whenever we see the sunshine for more than a few days in the summer, this question is posed across the media and it’s a bit annoying to Naturists that there is even the need to ask.
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 was carefully worded to exclude Naturism - it is perfectly ok to take your clothes off to enjoy the sun and the breeze on your skin, or the life-affirming feeling of swimming without a costume. However, if you do so because you have the intention of causing ‘alarm and distress’ then it could be a criminal offence though the onus is on the onlooker to prove the intent. Despite what many newspapers often say, merely being ‘offended’ is not enough to warrant a call to the authorities. Let’s face it, in this Mrs Grundy society, they’d be inundated! 
It follows that nudity is permissible in all public places…and how could it not be? It’s our natural state. It’s only social conditioning that tells us that certain parts of our body are - choose your own adjective: shameful, disgusting, sexual, offensive, ridiculous - and must therefore be hidden away. The harmful growth in poor body image and almost obsessive focus on appearance as the only measure of a person’s worth is entirely because we’ve suppressed normal bodies so much that no-one knows what normal is anymore and the only indicator of how to be is the airbrushed celebrity. Sadly, the same conditioning has led people to conclude that a nude person, especially a man, must be up to no good. No-one, ever, children included, has been harmed by the sight of a naked person.
We’re aware of the sensitivities though. Many people never think to challenge what their parents and teachers taught them when they were very young. That social conditioning, the stigma and taboos are thus ingrained and it takes a lot to change attitudes. Whilst it’s perfectly legal, Naturists will rarely be nude in very public places, it’s too easily misunderstood, or treated with suspicion, and it only takes one member of the public to make a fuss and the damage is done. Until recently, event the Police hadn’t quite grasped the legal situation but in 2017, British Naturism worked with them to make sure every police officer understands.
Being neighbourly is desirable and so Naturists sunbathing in their back garden will probably choose a spot that isn’t too overlooked and will often speak to neighbours who can see into their garden to advise them they may catch a glimpse of naked flesh. Anecdotal evidence and long experience shows that most neighbours couldn’t care less. It’s also not uncommon for them to say ‘Great! We do that too!’ Wearing clothes of any description during this hot weather has been uncomfortable and stripping down to nothing (whatever your mother might say) is sensible and not at all provocative. 
So, go ahead. Strip off. Enjoy the sun and the exhilarating feeling of being naked.
Find more information at http://www.bn.org.uk/policing
It's our last full day today at the UK's biggest Naturist festival. Around 500 guests have enjoyed a packed programme of activities including sports, health and well-being, art and crafts, music and entertainment, talks and workshops, naked trips to local venues including a cider farm, a steam train, dining in a pub and a house and garden. 
We've been welcomed by the local community with many companies and people coming in to run sessions. BBC Radio Somerset's Andy Bennett even broadcast his show from here!
Look out for a full report - and booking details for 2020...
It was great night out at Arundel Lido for their first Great British Skinny Dip event. The management opted to run their own event and it was the first time a nude event had taken place at the West Sussex open air pool which opens between May and September each summer.  The event was attended by around 80 people - and £800 was raised towards new changing huts and Project Leap. 
There is a real interest in running another skinny dip - so watch this space for details!
Members from all points of the South West region gathered at Lower Poulza Post naturist camping and caravan site, situated on a working farm, near Bude in Cornwall over the weekend for the annual Rally. With lovely weather a bonus, the weekend started with smiles and high expectations of a relaxed and friendly couple of days, and from the beginning to the end that’s what you got.  We gathered on the Friday evening for a glass of bubbly around the campfire and new friendships were soon made or friends reunited.
Saturday was a glorious day and after a very relaxed morning and Cornish Pasties for lunch, some just laid in the sun all afternoon while others with a  competitive edge enjoyed a couple of hours playing Boules before the communal BathBQ in the evening. Perhaps the only BBQ to feature a full size bath in the region, if not the UK, was soon glowing and ready for use with many taking the advantage of cooking the farm's own sausages, burgers and pork chops.
After the glorious sun of the last two days, Sunday was a little disappointing, but with a Cornish Cream Tea planned for mid morning the pending rain obliged holding off until exactly 12 Noon, then rain arrived sending everyone scurrying for cover.  With dark skies and a good Cornish Mizzle set in for the afternoon, almost everyone made a quick pack and headed for home a little sooner than hoped.
Plans are already being made for next year so put 19-21 June 2020 in your diary.
Graham Holland
BN’s International Officer, Edwin Kilby talks about the story behind his alter-ego…
I first heard about Naturism in the Greek Islands sometime in the early 1980s.   It was completely beyond my experience at the time, but my interest was piqued – both in the Islands and in Naturism.  A while afterwards I joined a Naturist club in Bricket Wood.
It was some years before I had a chance to try naturism in Greece.  During a memorable holiday on Skopelos with my (then relatively new) partner Judith, we headed off to the busy, textile, Stafilos Beach. I had done my homework and marched my unsuspecting and protesting companion the length of the shoreline towards the path to the next beach, Velanio.  As I expected, practically everyone on Velanio was nude.  I wasn’t sure how Judith would react, but I needn’t have worried; she was out of her clothes before me.  We spent much of the rest of that all-too-short holiday there.
Velanio is a lovely beach of fine shingle (okay to walk on barefoot) and the sea is beautifully clear.  It’s been a good few years since we last visited, but reports say it’s still well-used by naturists and has been designated by the municipal authority as the island’s official naturist beach. 
We love the islands and have been back many times.  In 1996 I decided to start collecting information about naturist beaches in Greece and publish it on a website called Cap’n Barefoot’s Naturist Guide to the Greek Islands (www.barefoot.info), which is still online today.  I invited people to email beach reports for the site.  This proved much more popular than I had foreseen, and I quickly got badly behind with updates.  In the end I created a linked website – www.capnbarefoot.info – in the form of a “wiki” which anyone can edit, a little like Wikipedia.  That works a lot better for me, and volunteer administrators help keep the site tidy.  It still includes a lot of very old information, though.  If you’re interested in helping edit the site, please get in touch! 
Sadly, Cap’n Barefoot has seen numerous famous once-nude beaches become lost to the textile hordes.  I think of Banana beach on Skiathos, and its neighbour Little Banana, a firm favourite among British-based nudists, which was recently taken over by a hotel complex. Mykonos was once one of the nudest islands in the Cyclades is now (in my experience) an overcrowded and overpriced tourist trap where it’s hard to find anywhere to enjoy naturism peacefully. 
The situation is better on many of the other islands, although it can vary according to season.  To have the best chance of being able to enjoy nude sunning and swimming it’s advisable to travel out of peak season.  June and September are delightful months to visit Greece, and the season can extend into October too. 
Here’s a short, wholly subjective, list of some of my other favourite Greek beaches.  You will find lots more on Cap’n Barefoot – just remember to scroll to the bottom of each entry and look for the latest reports.
Lageri, on Paros – near Naoussa.  A lovely long strip of sand, well-established as a nudist beach.
The Official Nudist Beach on Antiparos.  Just 10 minutes’ walk from the main quay, it’s a piece of sandy land that projects into a narrow channel. The proportion of Naturists does vary. It’s possible to swim or wade across to the small islands of Diplo and Kavouras and enjoy a nude walk – but do take flip-flops and a hat. 
Plaka beach on Naxos.  Served by buses from the main town.  A long sandy beach well-used by naturists, though the dividing line seems to move south every year.
Kendros beach on Donoussa – attracts free campers as well as swimmers – a mix of textile and nude.  The journey from Naxos Town to tiny Donoussa on the “legendary” (according to TripAdvisor) Express Skopelitis ferry can be … interesting.
Plakias Bay beach in southern Crete – The eastern end of the stunningly scenic sandy beach is firmly naturist.  Southern Crete is well supplied with naturist beaches and is a good bet for a multi-centre holiday.
 
This article originally appeared in BN Magazine. Each issue of our magazine, issued to members quarterly as part of their subscription, features first person holiday reports, beach updates, and travel information for Naturists. We even have our own team of Holiday Advisers who will answer your specific questions and help you have the best time when you are away. Find out more about all the reasons to be a member of British Naturism
 
The Great British Skinny Dip returns to the UK today, and we've got venues across the country throughout the month of July. Where will you go?
Choose from beaches, lakes, rivers, pools, outdoor lidos, Naturist clubs, and campsites, in:
 
Aberdeenshire
Buckinghamshire
Cambridgeshire
Cheshire
Cumbria
Dorset
Durham
East Lothian
East Sussex
Glamorgan
Gwynedd
Hertfordshire
Norfolk
Nottinghamshire
Oxfordshire
Somerset
Suffolk
West Sussex
Yorkshire
 
Discover all these locations on our website and keep checking back - we’re still adding new ones!
I am a great believer in naturists not being excluded from the sorts of activities that clothed people regularly do simply because of their choice of dress. As I regularly used to visit the ten-pin bowling facility at Tunbridge Wells when I lived there, I decided that this might be a “normal” activity that naturists could do. Of course looking up the website gives you all sorts of centralised telephone numbers, email addresses and so on which proved absolutely no good – “I will be passing on your request and you will hear within 72 hours…..” etc., etc. So, after several unsuccessful attempts at communicating with a real human  I decided that a personal approach to the centre I would want to use was best. So I made a special trip to Tunbridge Wells and approached the under-manager there with some trepidation when the “special” nature of our group visit needed to be raised ! To my amazement the venue was delighted to have been asked – this would be a great “first” for us. From that point on negotiations went smoothly. A date was arranged, prices and other details discussed and so on. BN agreed to take on the ticketing and we were away out of the starting blocks.
On the night I have to say we were treated royally. Nothing was too much trouble. Drinks were brought to us, piles of food were placed within arm’s reach and the welcoming team of five couldn’t have been more accommodating. Over 40 naturists arrived for the bowling and, after some initial hesitation, understandable as relatively few people knew each other from previous meetings, within a few minutes people were chatting happily (as naturists of course do) as if they had known each other for years. They organised themselves into lanes and amidst all the chatter and food actually found it quite difficult to complete the two games allowed before the end of the evening ! One lovely touch was when it was announced that every so often a pink skittle would appear among the normally white skittles in each of the bowling lanes. If someone managed a “strike” (getting all the skittles down in one go) that lane would be awarded a bottle of Prosecco to share. Amazingly three teams achieved this and huge ear-splitting cheers went up as they did so!
It was a really fun evening on what had been a cold and wet June day. I was so very grateful to BN for taking on the publicity and ticketing arrangements and indeed to all who participated, often coming from many miles away to take part and who showed the staff at the centre that naturists truly are ordinary folk who just like to have a good time without the encumbrance of clothing. The staff seemed impressed by us and will be happy to host again and to act as “referees” to other venues within the company. That is just the sort of message we need to get out to the general public. Thank you to everyone !
Keith Hillier-Palmer.
 


The Hertfordshire naked dining revolution started by Robert Finney last year goes from strength to strength. In the latest dining experience we went back to the great We R Cakes restaurant, near Knebworth. This time it was with a Moroccan theme and the head chef once again showed she can do the double. Not only was the quality of the food really high but the quantity was fantastic. Nobody could possibly have left hungry! The Round the World theme was continued having had Greek, Chinese, Italian and Mexican meals over the last 12 months.
As usual the meal was accompanied by a quiz which is a great ice breaker for newcomers and gets us all chatting. To get a taste of what was to come we had a huge platter for starters with butternut hummus, harissa hummus, olives, falafel, aubergine and goats cheese, pitta bread, yoghurt dip and giant bean salad. There were no less than six different dishes as part of the buffet main course and a gorgeous raspberry and orange syllabub with Moroccan cookies to complete the meal. Once again everyone - vegetarians, meat-eaters and vegans all had plenty of choice.
We R Cakes is a small establishment with quirky décor. It's very homely and wonderfully warm with an open plan kitchen in the same room. All the staff were good humoured, friendly and welcoming.
These events are organised by Eastern Region and it's good to see others now sharing the organising. This time Rick stepped up to the mark and did an excellent job which is great for someone who went to their first naked dining event only last year. These events are not all in Hertfordshire of course. Recently we had the Rodin, Kiss and Tell event in Ipswich. Later this month we will be cruising the countryside in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire whilst dining on a narrowboat, and in August visiting a Suffolk vineyard for wine tasting and tour - both already sold out! Tickets are still available for our Great British Skinny Dip event in July at Peterborough Lido and our theatre trip in Oxford in August. 
Andy Wyman
One of the very few negatives of attending British Naturism events is the come down - the back to reality feeling you get the moment you put your clothes back on and return to a clothed world... particularly so after a weekend like our British Naturism Woodland Weekend in the Lake District where you can embrace two days in one of the most beautiful areas of the UK.
This year's event was another great success. With almost double the numbers, and yet still not cramped or crowded due to the beautiful off-grid 60 acre venue, Fell Foot Wood. We practically have a whole fell to ourselves! It’s a good work out for the calves too, it’s hilly but just beautiful.
 At the heart of the site lies a cosy barn with a roaring log burning fire and bar serving local Lakeland ales and cider. This is also where our crafts and music takes place and is our main social hub. 
 And, there’s always a camp fire to welcome in the evening, with marshmallows of course. 
This year we had some of the best music we have had at any BN Event with the incredibly talented Matthew Fearon on Friday night playing an acoustic set featuring some classic and new covers. His laid back, endearing and quirky charm eased us into the weekend beautifully. 
Saturday night we welcomed Mobius Loop  (a philosophical folk band) whose naked, non stop 2.5 hour set of all original music had the audience captivated - sometimes lulled by soft tones, other times dancing to drum filled beats, and often laughing along to satirical, edgy lyrics. We were literally putty in their hands and enchanted by their raw talent and love that filled the room.
 The weekend was packed full of activity with two naked fell walks, both with Skinny Dips, and crafts in the form of fragrant felted soap workshop and making lava bead bracelets. 
 The weekend also had time to reflect with our morning ceremony, celebrating the wonders of the earth, and a group meditation. There were massages on tap too from Katherine and Brian.
 Saturday evening gave us a drum circle around the camp fire, lead by Sean from Mobius Loop. This evolved beautifully into a spontaneous, drum-accompanied camp fire sing along.
One of the most memorable (and out there!) moments of the Woodland Weekend was the Woodland owner’s tongue in cheek, pagan-esque Moon Pond ritual including naked torch bearers, flaming horns and the opportunity to be baptised - you had to be there!
 Our Woodland Retreat will return to Fell Foot Wood in 2020.
Members can see the gallery of images from the event here (log in required)
 
 
If you are reading this and you are a member of British Naturism then you should feel proud of yourself for that decision. Your membership and subscription fee allows us to do our work on behalf of all Naturists. Thank you.

If you are reading this and are not a member, or have allowed your membership to lapse, we hope that the information in this article will help you to make the easy decision to join and get many more benefits AND be part of a vibrant, meaningful community. It costs less than £4 a month.

Perhaps you are not a Naturist - a journalist maybe, photographer, swimming pool manager or local politician. If so, thanks for taking an interest in our world. Despite what social convention teaches us from a young age there is nothing wrong with simple human nudity. It’s healthy, wholesome and good for you. A recent survey even proved that spending time naked can make you happier. One of the saddest problems of modern life - low self-esteem from poor body image - can often be eradicated by spending time with naked people. We’re a fun, friendly community too - every one of our venues says so and invites us back! Events 

An organisation like ours primarily exists to bring like-minded people together and we run a variety of exciting events, and support those run by others. There’s not a lot you can’t do naked - recently, we even broke the record for the most naked people on a rollercoaster! 

If you are into hotel weekends, camping and caravanning, swimming, family-friendly festivals, live music, waterparks, museum and art gallery visits, exercise classes, glamping, dining, boat trips, sports tournaments, walking, yoga, running, open gardens, spa weekends, cycling, woodland retreats, beaches, theatre trips and even ten-pin bowling - all without clothes, then there is something for you.

Download our event brochure and check out full details of all event-related activity on our dedicated events website, our main website and our calendar. Make sure you do that soon - there are plenty of events happening soon!

Naturist clubs around the country provide safe environments for Naturism and are great communities for their members with facilities and social events. Some clubs hire a swimming pool for regular session. Check them out - maybe there's one near you.
  Sticking up for Naturists
We have a responsibility as the national organisation to speak up on behalf of Naturists. It’s something we do well, and regularly. Radio, TV and printed materials feature our news and members are often interviewed, photographed and filmed, nationally and locally. We also challenge the media and clear up misunderstandings when needed. As a result, Naturism is moving into the mainstream.

The BBC can’t get enough of us lately. The Daily Star reported on the Great British Skinny Dip (see below) this week. You can keep up with - and discuss - media mentions over on the BN Members’ Forum (log in required) and keep an eye on all our news - regularly updated - on our website news page. 

Earlier this year, our freedoms were threatened, with pressure groups attempting to restrict or close Naturist events and clubs, which would have caused long term damage for Naturism in the UK. We could easily have caved in to pressure for an easy life, but, of course, we didn’t. The absence of our collective, properly resourced and focused action might have meant that our wonderful world ceased to exist as we know it. Promoting Naturism and stating the benefits of it for everyone, especially the next generation, is essential, and we will continue to do so on behalf of all Naturists - present and future.

The legal position is clear - since 2003, public nudity is not illegal. Even the police haven’t quite grasped this over the years. In 2017, BN worked with them to make sure every police officer understands.
 
The Great British Skinny Dip - coming to a
venue near you, this July...!
The Great British Skinny Dip is our annual campaign to raise the profile of the health benefits of nudity - and give people a chance to experience the exhilarating, life-affirming feelings for themselves. It happens next month and we have venues from Aberdeen to Brighton and Harlech to Peterborough. The list includes a couple of public open air Lidos running a costume-free session for the first time. Good on them!
Holidays

Naturism in the UK is often hampered by the weather but British Naturism provides a wealth of information about Naturism abroad - where sunshine and an all-over tan are almost guaranteed. Our quarterly magazine - included with your subscription always features travel reports from happy Naturists and advertisements from the world’s Naturist resorts. Members can also download a digital version from the Members' forum. 

We also run group holidays for our members - so far this year we’ve been to Austria, Rhodes and Spain, with Croatia, Corsica, France, Canaries and a two-centre trip to Spain yet to come.
 
Find out more about membership here
‘I completed the Swimathon in April as part of my local Naturist Group's regular swim session. I think I may be the only person to have done the Swimathon naked!’ writes Leann 
Standing on the poolside wearing my purple Swimathon hat but no swimsuit, it occurs to me this is the opposite look to my regular public class -  where I sport a range of costumes but rarely need a hat to control my short hair (I figure it will give me a boost if I ever have to race!) – The fully uniformed lifeguard wishes me luck, I check the time and push off on the first of 218 lengths.
I’ve been a member of my local swim with Leeds Naturist Group for a couple of years now – though, in truth, I normally spend more time relaxing in the steam room and chatting around the edge of the pool.  When I realised that Swimathon were offering a MySwim option where participants could complete the challenge at a pool of their choice I knew exactly where I would swim and why.
Swimming is a fantastic exercise for all ages, yet we probably all know at least one person who wouldn’t dream of getting in a pool (or the sea on holiday) for fear of putting their lumps and bumps on public display.  Thousands of people hold themselves back from all sorts of activities because they fear judgement and alienation because they do not meet society’s idea of body beautiful.
Naturism puts everyone on an equal footing; It is hard to be judgemental when everyone is entirely on view. You quickly realise that bodies come in all shapes and sizes and none of them are perfect – we have scars, stretch marks, bits that are too big or too small, too wrinkly or hairy or spotty. You don’t choose to interact with people because of their body, but because they are friendly or have shared interests or interesting opinions. Spending time unclothed, swimming or socialising has taught me to care less about what I see as my imperfections and given me far more confidence.
Swimathon has raised over £2 million for Cancer Research and Marie Curie. For those living with and after cancer, a healthy body is what really matters.  We should all embrace and celebrate our healthy, functional bodies, whatever they look like. 
My lap-counting hubby and a dozen other comfortably naked people gather on the poolside to cheer me in as I stop the clock at 1hr 37mins. With no costume to wring out and 10 minutes before the session ends, I head straight off for well-earned tea and biscuits and to fill my bucket with donations. Perhaps others will consider taking part as individuals or a team in future years?
A superb video of the good people of BN member club Desford Swim was launched on the BBC News site this weekend. (Seems the BBC really can't get enough of us...)
Our thanks to them for helping to raise the profile in such an excellent, sensible, calm way and for coming up with their 'Women in Naturism' initiative in the first place AND having the foresight (and good sense) to issue a press release so that everyone got to hear about it. Most praise of all though for the members of the club for their willingness to talk to camera. 
Find out how you can become a Desford swimmer
On a cold, wet evening on the 2nd of March 2019, 195 naked people congregated at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, aiming to break the world record for most naked people on a theme park ride.  This attempt, organised by British Naturism, was looking to beat the previous record of 102 people and in fact we smashed it.
Since that evening, we have all been waiting to know whether the attempt would be officially approved and we would make it into the record books.
The official verdict has come through: We are Record Breakers!
As now stated on the Guinness World Record website, British Naturism now holds the record, and it will be a tough one to beat.
This attempt was the brainchild of one of our newer members and shows that anything is possible.  Beyond putting our name in lights, the attempt had a huge positive effect.  Although many of the record breakers were members of British Naturism, many were not and the attempt led to a surge in new, young members joining British Naturism.  There were other spin-off benefits.  Riders all contributed a small fee to cover the costs, but because we attracted nearly double the number of people we were expecting, we ended up with a cash surplus that we were able to donate to local Blackpool charities.  Events like this really show how much naturism and British Naturism can contribute to the community and why we can make a difference to people’s lives.
So congratulations to all who took part.  You can now tell your family and friends that you are officially World Record holders…. until we try this again!

At the end of May, the NKD youth and families festival returned to Dorset for a weekend of parties, minimalist camping, holi paint fights, and basking in the intense sunshine.  As an event designed for Young British Naturist (YBN) members and recent YBN graduates, now bringing their own families with them, the tone is quite different from that at our other events.  NKD shows how the portfolio of British Naturism events is diversifying to target different groups, so if organised Naturism has not appealed in the past, it will now.  The event was made possible by the rapid expansion of YBN over the last few years that has made an under 35s festival not only viable but essential.  The demand from YBN is backed up by the influx of families looking to practice Naturism in a safe, well-managed environment that provides ample activities for the kids.
However, it is not hot tubs, high quality food and coffee vendors, campfire jamming or the night club atmosphere of the evenings that makes NKD remarkable, it is the testimonies of the people there.  We live at a time where prospects of young professionals are less predictable than they once were, and we are continually judged on our image through the court of social media.  There are many of us looking to be accepted for who we are and find friendship.  Talking to people at NKD told the same story again and again, people are finding that acceptance and relief from stress through Naturism.
 As Ben tells us:
“NKD 2018 was a fantastic first ever experience of Naturism for me, NKD 2019 matched that groundbreaking success.  The fact that I recognised so many faces from last year speaks volumes, and I can safely say there are two things which make the festival so special. The first is the excellent organisation, the second is the community of participants in the festival.
 To put this in perspective, in my day to day life I get out very little and my social life largely consists of the occasional outing after my friends keep nagging me to come out and meet them.  So, the fact that someone as socially demotivated as me is so keen and eager to put myself forward to attend NKD in its second year, really is something to take note of. I'm reluctant to drive a few miles to a local bar for a social engagement in my own city and yet I'm enthusiastically willing to drive a 120 mile round trip to spend a weekend away in Dorset meeting old friends and new at an event like NKD.
Attending NKD last year was a decision made at the last minute after so much indecisiveness, and I could not have known at the time how much it would change my life for the better. Attending NKD this year didn't require a second thought.”
Kathryn goes even further:
“I can comment on both NKDs, 2018 and 2019 - they were incredible. Not only is the atmosphere wonderful, but you feel so safe and supported.  People really helped me out last year with some mental health troubles and this year it was really nice to know the difference they saw in me.  You have no idea how much I got out of NKD. I'm most excited at the thought of coming year on year, hopefully with little ones within the next couple of years.
British Naturism has filled that gap in my life, and I am so happy to have made some lovely new friends, all with similar values to me.  Leaving at the end was sad for me and I really can't wait to attend future events. I can say that this is truly the best introduction to Naturism you could possibly get, and I am inspired by the community of people I now feel a part of.”
So, if you are looking for something that is missing from your life, the chance to be welcomed and accepted, Naturism may be an answer and we look forward to seeing many new people at future youth events.
I will let Kathryn close as she wrote these few words to summarise her experience:
Anticipation, fear, excitement
Beauty, nudity, friends
Fun, freedom, inspiration
Memories, joy, harmony
Inner peace, self-worth, connection
NKD 2019
In May a first ever skinny dip took place at Bude in Cornwall.  Why first ever?

- It was the first organised by SW Skinny Dippers to support Mental Health Awareness Week and raise funds for the charity MIND.
- It was the first time a Naturist/skinny dipping event took place on Summerleaze beach.
- Of the 200 or so people who took part, over 60 were first-time Naturists/skinny dippers.

There was camping, pizza and campfires the night before for many and then we all met up on the beach at 7am on a beautiful Sunday morning ready for our dip. Sadly the one thing that couldn't be organised was the sea temperature. The Atlantic Ocean in May was 10.5C so it was a short dip for most!  However, everyone was in great spirits and we meet many new people with their own reasons for being there who were quite interested in us as BN members, and recognised the health and well-being aspects they were experiencing through participating in the event.

Many thanks to Ruth and her team who organised the event, and to those who gave of their time freely. The Hub at Bude was provided by the Council for registration and hot drinks, and the lifeguards and St John's Ambulance donated their time.  The event raised just shy of £4,500 in fees and pledges - so, a good cause was well-supported, and a little bit more was also done to bring Naturism into the mainstream.

Charis Brundle
There was a time you might have waited all year for a Naturist related item on the BBC but now they all seem to have turned up at once! It started in January with a short series on BBC3 called “The Naked Truth”. Four fifteen minute documentaries about completely different subjects but all filmed naked with little censorship. The series featured episodes on tattoos, loose skin, male body image and amputees. The BBC blurb said “The Naked Truth gives a voice to young people as they share their revelatory, personal and surprising perspectives on life and their bodies…while naked”.
British Naturism featured in March, there was an excellent article featuring BN's Volunteer Coordinator, Pam Fraser (pictured) which made it to the the front page of of the BBC News website no less! As you might expect, there was a spike in visitors to our little corner of the internet as a result. Pam told how she got thrown into the deep end of naturism but took to it like a duck - well - to water. It was also an opportunity to advertise a lot of BN events including the Blackpool weekend and the World Record attempt at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. We are still waiting for official confirmation of our record busting ride but the numbers add up but the BBC also put out a short video of the event under the title “Three things we loved today!”
In April, Sandra Ballard organised a naked dining evening at the Oxford Tap Social Bar to "celebrate the human body and challenge the British reluctance to strip off" . The event was filmed by the BBC and the short video made it onto their news and Facebook pages. A nice little video where several of the diners spoke on camera doing a good job to get our message of body confidence across to the BBC audience.
Remember the BBC Radio Sheffield Naked Podcast? “Two friends, one guest, no clothes. Celebrating and undressing the taboos about nudity”. Well, it worked so well, it's back for a second series. Jenny Eells and Kat Harbourne came up with the idea of an experiment to see if getting rid of clothes for an interview might make the whole thing more - revealing; in a conversational and confessional sort of way. It seems to have worked because people have asked for more and now they've got it!
BBC Three Counties Facebook page featured a short video of BN member Tom filmed during a life modelling session. Short as it was, Tom took full advantage of it to extol the virtues of our naturist lifestyle.
But possibly our greatest achievement was to make it into the very popular comedy current affairs show, Have I Got News For You. BN Magazine was featured in the ‘Missing Words’ round as the guest publication. We had to grant them a license to use it and we made various stipulations, but an estimated 8 million people will have seen it and the extended version, “Have I Got More News For You”. There were the obvious and expected jokes at our expense but nothing actually derogatory and overall, we came out very well.
 
Update 12 June...
And the coverage continues:
Desford Swim feature in a BBC news video
BBC Ideas - The freedom to be topless (whilst drinking tea)
 
Our Summer issue is now out…

Highlights include:
A round up of recent events including our record-breaking roller-coaster ride in Blackpool, National swimming gala, ‘Kiss and Tell’ and Royal Academy museum visits and our canal trip Women in Naturism - Leann swims for charity and Jooles and her team prepare to row the Atlantic naked A review of Channel 4’s Naked Beach An introduction to our new Families Officer Shân Three adult Naturists tell their stories of growing up with Naturist parents Two travel sections - Southern Europe with holiday reports from Greece, Lanzarote, and Italy, and the UK with features on some of the great places for a ‘staycation’ … plus a packed news section, a huge guide to events yet to come and comprehensive listings of clubs, swims and other places. We’ve also made some changes to the print version - and it’s looking smarter than ever! Definitely one to leave on the coffee table…
BN Magazine is available to members only and issued four times a year as part of the annual subscription. If you are not a member, you can join us and get your own copy through the post and as a download and many other benefits.
Few of us can forget the iconic moment when Barbara Windsor’s bikini top flew off in the ‘slap & tickle’ Carry On series loved by millions, but British Naturism is actually rather more serious than that.  Founded over 50 years ago, Naturists simply want to enjoy life without the encumbrance of clothes.  Holding garden events for around 10 years, the evening of 13 July will see the first British Naturism private event at The Alnwick Garden in Alnwick, Northumberland.
 
Founded by The Duchess of Northumberland, the continually evolving garden has attracted millions of visitors since opening in 2001.  The Alnwick Garden is The North East Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, and in 2018 was awarded VisitEngland’s coveted accolade Welcome Award, scoring 98% for the exceptional welcome it gives its visitors.
 
A spokesperson for British Naturism said “We are delighted to add The Alnwick Garden to our growing schedule of popular days out in beautiful and well known gardens.  Naturism in the North East is growing in popularity and it’s wonderful to have a new event in such a stunning location for people to enjoy.”  
 
Naturism is perfectly legal and British Naturism has over 9,000 members with events in waterparks, campsites, hotels and art galleries in the UK.
 
The Duchess of Northumberland said “We are quite sure the naturists will have a marvellous time.  There is so much to see and do, although they may have to be a little careful strolling through the Poison Garden!  Our culture needs to move towards a healthy sense of body acceptance and the natural environment of The Garden will be both mindful and liberating.  Let’s hope the weather is kind!”
 
Naturists from British Naturism will be visiting The Garden in the evening of 13 July and will have full access to The Garden including over 50 swinging chairs in the Taihaku Cherry Orchard, The Ornamental Lake, The Poison Garden, Bamboo Maze, Ornamental Garden, The Grand Cascade and enjoy homemade food and fresh coffee in The Pavilion Kitchen.  
Nudefest - Britain’s biggest Naturist Festival!
8th - 15th July 2019, Somerset
Nudefest returns to Somerset this summer and will welcome around 500 Naturists from across the UK and abroad. 2019 marks the 13th Nudefest and it grows bigger and better every year. For the third year running, Thorney Lakes Caravan and Camping Site, near Langport, Somerset is the venue.
The Thorney Lakes campsite becomes a Naturist resort for the duration and many newcomers to this wonderful world are expected to join those that have been enjoying clothes-free leisure time for decades.
Across the week, Nudefest guests can choose from a huge range of over 100 varied activities including exercise classes and workshops; sports tournaments, health and well-being sessions; arts and crafts; music including a daily choir meeting and a drum workshop; archery, rifle and clay pigeon shooting; dance classes; and body painting. We’ll also be visited by a local morris side and enjoy a bird of prey demonstration.
We’ll be taking our guests off the site too and making nude visits to Michelney Manor, The Cider Brandy Farm, the East Somerset Steam Railway, countryside walks and for a horse-drawn cart ride ending with a boat trip.
There is entertainment every evening with quizzes, karaoke, discos and live bands, fire walking, astronomy and a bat walk.
Local athletes are welcomed to complete with Nudefest guests in a 5K or 10K run that takes place on the Saturday morning. Bored of trudging the same old pavements? Come and run at Nudefest - and make sure you DO forget your kit. Please register at www.nudefest.co.uk.
Organiser Nigel Pinkstone said:
‘If you have never been to a naturist event consider coming along to Nudefest - it’s the highlight of the year for many of our guests. It’s impossible to describe the fun we have and the euphoric feeling that comes with being part of a like-minded community. Naturism is a growing activity in the UK with more and more people discovering how wonderful it is to spend time without their clothes. Come and join them - you won’t regret it!
A ‘Meet the Media’ session will be held on Tuesday 9th July at 10am and various guests will be on hand to chat and discuss naturism and the festival in general. Photography will be possible. Media people who wish to attend will be made welcome. Please let us know in advance if would like to come
nudefest.co.uk; email info@nudefest.co.uk; follow us on Twitter: @nudefest_bn
ENDS
 
Notes to Editors
•  For any further information please contact organiser Nigel Pinkstone info@nudefest.co.uk
•  Pictures and Nudefest logo available here
•  British Naturism (BN) is the UK’s officially recognised Naturist organisation. It exists to support and unite Naturists around the UK and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, although its predecessors were in existence since the 1930s. www.bn.org.uk
•  Amongst the aims of BN are to campaign for more places to be made available for Naturism and to protect Naturists against discrimination and Victorian attitudes to the human body. www.bn.org.uk/campaigning/index
•  Fact - in law, there is no offence of nudity. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 specifically excludes Naturism. Over the years the authorities have often ignored that and used other, irrelevant legislation to penalise law-abiding Naturists and it has caused problems. Recent, BN’s legal team convinced the Police about what the law actually says and persuaded them to implement better training. www.bn.org.uk/policing
•  In Naturist places it soon becomes apparent to everyone that there is no such thing as a perfect body and that we are all normal. That’s truly liberating. And despite the perceptions, giggles and fear about being naked with others you don’t feel exposed, vulnerable, judged or stared at. It takes minutes for it to become completely normal.
•  There’s more going on in the UK than people think. In the UK, there are over 100 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and many beaches used regularly by Naturists. Events - big and small - happen across the nation, throughout the year. Membership of BN is around 9,000 people with many more being members of clubs affiliated to BN. www.bn.org.uk/activities/placestogo
•  Naturism is good for you! Naturists report improvements in well-being, stress, chronic illness, self-esteem and body image. It’s also a sensible choice of dress when the weather is warm. Naturists are normal people. The only difference between activities inside and outside of Naturism is the dress code and Science proved it in 2017. We run the Great British Skinny Dip each year to raise awareness of the many health benefits of a nude lifestyle - and encourage people to give it a go
•  It is a fallacy to believe that naked children are any more at risk in a Naturist environment. Unaccompanied children are not permitted in Naturist places and the community spirit that pervades ensures that a watchful eye is present. Despite the perception, there are far fewer problems in Naturism than in more “public” places where children and adults mix. Mindful of the need to be aware of child safeguarding issues, however, BN have a robust child safeguarding policy.
Coming to a venue near you in July!
 
The Great British Skinny Dip returns to the UK this July for a month-long bonanza of clothes-free swimming opportunities for everyone. Now in its fourth year, the Great British Skinny Dip is a campaign from British Naturism to raise awareness of the health benefits of nudity.
Even in the enlightened 21st Century, simple human nudity can still be the subject of taboos, prejudice and fear, but studies have shown that spending time naked, especially with others, can make us happier.
Participation in Naturism is on the rise with British Naturism reporting a 5% increase in membership and a 10% increase in new members. Swimming pools all around the country are hired for nude swimming sessions every week and they are hugely popular.
Follow this link to find the map of skinny dip events already scheduled - and keep checking back - we’re adding new ones all the time. https://www.greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk/uk-events-map/
Spokesman Andrew Welch said:
People who regularly shed their clothes know that the benefits include improved well-being, reduced stress and an increase in body confidence. It’s also liberating and a lot of fun! Millions of people worldwide have discovered this simple antidote to the stresses of modern life and we want to encourage more people to experience it.
Got an idea for a venue? Let us know!
ENDS
Contact
For general enquiries about Naturism and the Great British Skinny Dip:Andrew Welch skinnydip@greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk; 07774 955138
For individual information about a particular dip or a request to attend please make contact with the event organisers
Find images and GBSD logo for media projects here
Notes to Editors
•    British Naturism (BN) is the UK’s officially recognised Naturist organisation. It exists to support and unite Naturists around the UK and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, although its predecessors were in existence since the 1930s. www.bn.org.uk
•    The Great British Skinny Dip is a campaign run by British Naturism aimed at raising awareness of the health and well-being benefits of nudity. Venues, groups and individuals are encouraged to create skinny dipping events in a variety of locations. Some are well used for skinny dipping, some are new.
•    Amongst the aims of BN are to campaign for more places to be made available for Naturism and to protect Naturists against discrimination and Victorian attitudes to the human body. www.bn.org.uk/campaigning/index
•    Fact - in law, there is no offence of nudity. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 specifically excludes Naturism. Over the years the authorities have often ignored that and used other, irrelevant legislation to penalise law-abiding Naturists and it has caused problems. Recent, BN’s legal team convinced the Police about what the law actually says and persuaded them to implement better training. www.bn.org.uk/policing
•    In Naturist places it soon becomes apparent to everyone that there is no such thing as a perfect body and that we are all normal. That’s truly liberating. And despite the perceptions, giggles and fear about being naked with others you don’t feel exposed, vulnerable, judged or stared at. It takes only minutes for it to become completely normal.
•    There’s more going on in the UK than people think. In the UK, there are over 100 sun clubs, swim clubs and holiday resorts and many beaches used regularly by Naturists. Events - big and small - happen across the nation, throughout the year. Membership of BN is around 9,000 people with many more being members of clubs affiliated to BN. www.bn.org.uk/activities/placestogo
•    Naturism is good for you! Naturists report improvements in well-being, stress, chronic illness, self-esteem and body image. It’s also a sensible choice of dress when the weather is warm. Naturists are normal people. The only difference between activities inside and outside of Naturism is the dress code.
•    It is a fallacy to believe that naked children are any more at risk in a Naturist environment. Unaccompanied children are not permitted in Naturist places and the community spirit that pervades ensures that a watchful eye is present. Despite the perception, there are far fewer problems in Naturism than in more “public” places where children and adults mix. Mindful of the need to be aware of child safeguarding issues, BN have a robust child safeguarding policy.
 
Picture by Rob Tibbles

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.


Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.