Jump to content

  • Regional News and Information

    BN has six regions that provide a vital local focus to BN's members and activities. To find out about news and events in your region please visit one of our regional pages:

  • Show all categories
  • Guest
    Bruce has kindly sent in this update on the problems at Abbots Cliff.
      I went to the beach yesterday and also spoke to people in the area about problems caused by a landslip early in April  at Folkestone Warren which lies to the west. Access to the beach from  the east  - from Samphire Hoe near Dover has always been available and for people arriving by car* it is probably the best option as there is plenty of parking space,albeit subject to charges. 
                                 *pedestrians can reach Samphire Hoe using the no 64 bus service from Dover alighting at Aycliffe Community Primary School. From there a footbridge leads across the A20 to a footpath and the tunnel to Samphire Hoe.
                                 The restrictions imposed on public access to Folkestone Warren appear to have been lifted.One can drive past the Martello tower and leave one's vehicle in the small parking areas before walking about two miles to the beach. Seawall barriers blocking access for  pedestrians have been removed. There remains access to the beach down cliff paths either from the cafe opposite Helena Road in Capel-le-Ferne or from the Royal Oak public house a quarter of a mile to the east  but if there is a return to prolonged wet weather or if Kent County Council fail to send in contractors regularly to clear the brambles these paths may become difficult to use. A pair of secateurs in hand luggage may come in useful.
                                  There is one proviso. The steps leading from the railway  to the seawall have collapsed due to a small landslip. An alternative route is to turn right after crossing the pedestrian bridge over the railway and walk west  towards Folkestone. After about 100 yards steps appear down to a dirt track which leads to the seawall.There you turn left and walk about a mile and half towards Dover till the seawall ends. Here there is a problem. The metal ladder installed by some kind people years ago is now in a shaky condition. The rope and metal handhold implanted in the chalkface have disappeared. The drop to the beach is too far for people to jump. The ladder remains in use but it is hazardous. 
                                It is possible to walk from Folkestone along the beach but only at low tide. Signs have appeared in places warning of falling rocks and there is evidence of major rockfalls during the winter - but naturists were still in evidence on the beach during fine weather on May 11th.
  • Guest
    Tickets now on sale for the Dining and skittles at the Mill Arms https://shop.bn.org.uk/collections/naturist-garden-days/products/13-june-2024-mill-arms-naked-dining-skittles-dunbridge
    See our calendar entry here
    Join BN’s London and South East Regional team and the Naturist Ramblers as we return to the Mill Arms for an evening of dinner and skittles. 2 or 3 course menu options available.
    We will have exclusive use of the function room at the pub. This is a fully self-contained area with its own bar and toilets which means that it will be possible to be naked throughout the event. Car parking is available behind the pub, but it is only two minutes’ walk from Dunbridge & Mottisfont Station, so why not leave the car at home and enjoy a few drinks!
    The Mill Arms also has a small number of rooms above the function room which can be booked alongside your ticket for the dinner. These are available on 12 and 13 June and include a full breakfast. Our host at the pub is happy for guests to remain naked for breakfast should they wish.
     
  • Guest
    We are delighted to announce the summer series of naked swims at Petersfield Open Air Pool in June, July and August. These are part of the Great British Skinny Dips, raising awareness of the benefits of skinny-dipping and raising funds for the British Heart Foundation. The pool at Petersfield, Hampshire is a delight and the staff make us very welcome and have agreed to put on a BBQ for us again and donate half their shop profit for the sessions to BHF.
    Links to the events are:
    June 14th 6:30pm - 8:30pm
    July 13th 6:30pm - 8:30pm
    August 16th 6:30 - 8:30pm
  • Guest
    The following was printed first in Naturist Life magazine and was written by Stewart Lomax.
     
    Mill Bank Sun Club is a camping and caravanning club without its own
    permanent site. We hold rallies throughout the season with permission
    of the landowners.
    This year (2024) we’ll be using a new location near Hassocks in West
    Sussex.
    The club have been without a site for the 2023 season as we had to
    vacate our previous location at Ashburnham near Battle.  The field
    there was very lovely with great Wealden views, a pub near by and it
    was so very quiet and peaceful.  Unfortunately the owner's family had
    other plans for the property and along with others who also rented, we
    had to leave.
    Finding another site proved to be somewhat of a challenge.  We lost
    some members as a result but, who knows, they may well return.  All
    the committee members rallied around (pun intended) to find somewhere
    new.  One of the major problems was to find an actual land owner!
    Many farms are rented and the owners are not local.  The tenant
    farmers are not permitted to allow campers without their landlords
    permission and many did not want the agro of pursuing that.  Sometimes
    just finding the owner of a suitable field we’d spotted was
    difficult too.
    But hey!  Seek and ye shall find or good things come to those who
    wait...
    Whilst browsing a naturist page on Facebook, I saw a reply to a post
    by a woman who’d had a 'not so great day' on Brighton naturist
    beach, where voyeuristic men had made her feel uncomfortable. David
    replied to her offering the use of his field for sun bathing. I’m
    not sure what happened regarding her taking up Davids offer, but I
    decided to contact him about his field.
    Through messenger we had a very fruitful conversation and David was
    pretty keen for us to go and make use of his land.  The land, it
    turned out, is next to Davids garden centre ‘Garden Thyme’ and was
    acquired along with it.
    I arranged a convenient time to visit and went along with one of Mill
    Bank’s other committee members Peter.  Straight away we just knew
    this was a great find as David was very welcoming and amiable.
    The field is easily accessed through a wide gateway then through the
    centre car park the ground is level and suitable for all types of
    cars, caravans and motorhomes as well as tents of course.
    It’s pretty secluded and set well back from the road.  There’s the
    main field where we can set up our camping units in the mown area in
    which there are a few trees.  The back of the field is densely wooded
    and thick with brambles.  There’s a small nook which will be great
    for shelter on more blustery days and for campfires in the evenings.
    The site will get the sun all day but there are trees for shade if
    required. There’s a flushing toilet on site together with fresh
    drinking water.
    The garden centre, previously called Allwoods (as shown on Google
    maps) has a very nice cafe called ‘Tea Thyme’. Only open during
    centre opening times, for snacks, meals or indeed a full Sunday roast!
    The location is ideal for short or longer stays and convenient for
    naturist beaches at Brighton and Fairlight or as a stopover when using
    the channel crossings.
    Once we’ve held our club AGM which will be at the garden centre on
    Sunday 14th April 2024. Starting at 14.00 for a walk around the site.
    At 15.00 well go to the café for refreshments then at 16.00 we’ll
    start the AGM once the customers have left.
    Our camping fees are very reasonable with preferential rates for
    members. All genuine naturists are welcome as members, visiting
    campers or day visitors.
    For any enquiries please contact our secretary Steve:
    secretary@millbanksunclub.com
    Kind Regards
    Stewart Lomax
    07944936572
  • Guest
    Keith Palmer writes…..Following on from last June's successful naturist/clothes-optional walk along the Cuckoo Trail from Heathfield in East Sussex in aid of the charity SHELTER, a similar walk is now planned for Saturday 8th June from 10.30 a.m. as far as Hellingly. This will be in aid of Breast Cancer Now (more women, please, on this walk!) Tickets to take part are available from Nothing-on-Events and are £10, all but 50p or so going to the charity. You can also donate to my Just Giving page on the link below and/or gain sponsorship from family and friends. Further details available from me at keithpalmer17@yahoo.com or 07798 861467.The walk is 6 and a half miles but only 4 and a half if you join us at Horam at 11.30 a.m. Registration and start is in small car park opposite Waitrose in Station Road Heathfield TN21 8DA from 10 am. Please join us especially if affected directly or indirectly by this disease and do let others, especially women, know it is on who might like to take part or donate.
     
    Just Giving Link
    Nothing On Events Link
  • Guest
    Philip Baker of East Sussex Naturists  writes with details of this year's visit to Scotney Castle Gardens.
     
    This is the third year we are visiting the romantic gardens at Scotney Castle run by the National Trust. Parking is free after 5 p.m. and entrance is at the side away from the House. Details about the venue can be found at Scotney Castle | Kent | National Trust. Last year's photographs are in a members album on the  BN site. Album link 
    Payment will be at the gate by card or cash (£12) - as this is a private event NT members do have to pay. Picnics are available to pre-order.- please email me for the bank details to make a transfer to the organisers - East Sussex Naturists - philip.baker@bn.org.uk.
    If anyone wishes to visit the House (dressed) earlier than our event and are not NT members then I have arranged that you can use the entrance receipt to get into the naturist event without further payment. Non NT members prices are £4-50 for parking and £17 for entrance.
     
     
  • Guest
    On Saturday 11th May 2024 Avonvale Sun Club (in the New Forest near Ringwood) are holding an Open Day and you are welcome to attend.

    The Open Day will start at 11.00 until 16.00.

    Please bring food for lunch and if the day is fine a BBQ will be available in the evening for you to prepare your own evening meal. A refrigerator will be available for the storage of perishable food.

    The entrance fee for the day is £5 which will also entitle you to tea, coffee or, cordial plus a slice of cake.

    If you wish to attend please reply to avonvaleken@gmail.com and we will forward your details to Avonvale you will need to provide photographic identification to gain entry. 

    Next Southampton Skinny Dip at Oaklands will be 25th May further details to follow along with news of swims at Durley and visits to Houghton Gardens etc look out for the emails


     
  • Guest
    The beach at Abbot's Cliff near Folkestone has had some dangerous issues in the past as described here on the UK places to go section of this website
       Abbot's Cliff access
    Now Bruce one of our members has sent this information for potential visitors.
    Naturists wishing to visit this beach can expect to find access from Folkestone difficult this year.  Kentonline has published accounts and photographs of the land subsidence which has taken place nearby. The road to the car parking near the campsite is closed and it would appear that access on foot  along the seawall may also be blocked. 
    Here's a link to an article and scary video footage.
    Tree falling
    With the inclement weather  I have not visited the area yet this year; I will be able to tell you more when I have made an inspection visit. It is likely that access on foot down the path from the cliff top near the café at Capel-le-Ferne is possible. Some people will not appreciate the steep climb back.
    Access from the car park at Samphire Hoe near Dover will be unaffected but some people complain about the long walk over  rough terrain to get to the beach.
  • Guest
    With the aim of increased inclusivity and participation of underrepresented groups, Bristol Naked Swim will be offering a women's only swim that also welcomes trans and non-binary people on Wednesday 15th May 2024 from 9pm to 10pm. The cost of the swim will be £7, payable in cash at the door.
    Bristol Naked Swim are an established naturist swim group that meets every Wednesday evening at Jubilee swimming pool in South Bristol.
    A new member Collette Brydon is running these sessions as she cares deeply about inviting more people into nudist spaces safely and comfortably.
    Collette has often found herself to be the only woman in naturist spaces and wondered how it would be possible for more women and underrepresented groups to join her. She hopes that these new swim sessions will give more people the opportunity to enjoy the liberating experience of swimming naked, whatever their body type.
    Female lifeguards will be on duty. Don’t worry if you are not a great swimmer; there is usually as much chatting in the pool at a naturist swim as there is swimming.
    Conversations about safety are welcomed in advance and these will also take place when signing people in.
    If you have any questions, please contact us at: southwestrep@bn.org.uk.
×
×
  • Create New...

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.