About BN

An Ipsos poll recently commissioned by British Naturism reveals that 14% (equating to 6.75 million adults) of people in the UK describe themselves as Naturists or Nudists.  A similar poll conducted in 2011 confirmed the figure at 3.7 million (6%). The fact that Brits are increasingly opting to strip off doesn’t come as a surprise to British Naturism since it reinforces what the organisation already knows – that people of all ages are increasingly turning to healthy, body-positive, clothes-f

As the doors close on another season at Sunfolk, there is plenty to celebrate. This year brought a wonderful mix of returning guests and first-time visitors, helping to create a lively, friendly atmosphere throughout the site. One of the comments we hear most often is how calm and welcoming Sunfolk feels. Guests regularly mention the relaxed atmosphere, the friendly team on hand to answer questions, and the reassurance offered to anyone visiting for the first time. Together with the site’s facil

Over the last few weeks, we have been reviewing the responses to our All-Member Survey and making some very interesting observations. The results have helped us identify what is working well, while also highlighting areas where there is scope for refinement. We started by looking at what members value and use as part of their membership. We then considered both the format and content of BN Magazine, before looking at how members use our website and how the homepage could better meet their needs.

The UK’s biggest Naturist festival returns to Somerset on 6 July – and 2027 is set to be bigger, faster and more spectacular than ever. Yes, Nudefest is back. And after reaching capacity in 2026, we are pushing the boat out in 2027 to set a whole new standard for Naturist festivals. Last year proved that major names in entertainment are more than happy to perform at a Naturist festival. This year we are going even bigger, with Showaddywaddy joining us as our headline act on Saturday night. But t

Are you in the know? Do you have your finger on the pulse of Naturism? Whatever your answer, this is a story for you. Getting Information Every week, we share information through several different channels. The news stories you are reading are one. Our regular newsletters and eZine are another. The eZine is the easiest way to keep up with the highlights from the past week, bringing a handy selection of news, stories and opportunities directly to your inbox. It is a resource that everyone would b

We were very sad to hear of the passing of Dame Esther Rantzen this week. Rising to television fame as the presenter of That’s Life!, Dame Esther became perhaps even better known for her campaigning and charity work. Her work founding Childline, challenging the abuse of children wherever it might occur, set a standard that the rest of us can only aspire to and changed countless lives. She later founded Silver Line to support older people experiencing isolation and loneliness, and subsequently be

What does Naturism mean when you experience the world from a wheelchair? For one Naturist, the answer is surprisingly complex. Naturism has always represented freedom: freedom from clothing, from social expectations and, perhaps most importantly, from some of the self-consciousness that can come with living in a world that often places expectations on how our bodies should look and function. But for a wheelchair user, reaching that freedom can sometimes require navigating a few more obstacles fi

Over the past month, we have been taking a deep dive into the outcomes of our All-Member Survey. First, we looked at what members value most about British Naturism and discovered an incredible level of positivity, alongside the importance of community and that shared sense of belonging. Then we turned our attention to BN Magazine, recognising the importance members place on the printed edition, celebrating how well the magazine is received and considering how we can make it even better. This wee

Woodlandia is back for 2027. We will be returning to the banks of Windermere, but there is one big difference: we are moving to the height of summer. Fell Foot Wood is a spectacular, back-to-nature location, with wild camping and space for small motorhomes tucked into the many nooks and crannies on the side of the fell. We are heading there from 30 July to 2 August, at the peak of summer, allowing us to make the most of the location. Plans are already developing to do just that. There are plans

The end of summer can mean only one thing: The Big Quiz is back! Filling your social calendar while teaching you things you will never need to know, The Big Quiz is the perfect online opportunity to socialise without all the driving. Very few of the many online Zoom sessions that started during the COVID-19 pandemic have had the enduring popularity to keep running year after year, but The Big Quiz is certainly one. Although it is hosted by the Northern Ireland team, the weekly quizmasters come f

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Freddie Mercury’s words might have been going through the minds of British Naturism members at the Museum of Illusions in September. That might have been their thoughts as they appeared to hang upside down outside 10 Downing Street… totally naked, of course. It might also have looked odd as they sat on top of an old-fashioned red phone box.  These and many more were some of the illusions that we were treated to on the night. The Vortex Bridge looked t

We all know that fashion changes. That is, after all, rather the point. When those changes simply refresh the world and make it more exciting, that is fine. But when they start influencing our opinions about what bodies should look like, and in turn affecting people’s mental and physical health, that is when we need to sit up and take notice. Different colours become fashionable. In the era of the Roman Empire, purple was the most prestigious imperial colour because Tyrian purple dye was made fr

Over the last few weeks, we have been exploring the findings of our all-member survey. We began by looking at what people seek from British Naturism and what they find here, identifying the importance of community and belonging. Last week, we turned our attention to BN Magazine and discovered that it is the tangible membership benefit that members use and appreciate most. That positive view tells us that BN Magazine is already a strong product. But a strong foundation is precisely that: somethin

Our biggest festivals of the year are back – and bookings are already moving fast! NKD, our flagship Naturist festival for 18–50-year-olds, returns from 29 May to 2 June 2027, and excitement is already building. Last year, we effectively filled the venue, and with other Naturist events selling out, there is every reason to secure your place early. There are still camping, glamping and some campervan spaces available, but fixed accommodation has already sold out, a clear indication of just how qu

Yesterday morning at dawn, 1,300 naked people ran into the sea for the North East Skinny Dip. Since it began in 2012, the NESD has brought together hundreds of people each year to raise money for the mental health charity Mind. The event has now raised more than £200,000, while giving thousands of people the opportunity to experience skinny dipping and social nudity without any expectation or commitment beyond the day itself.  Although we awarded founder Jax Higginson a Certificate of Merit for

If you’re anything like me, you’ll have reluctantly accepted that autumn is now with us. The evenings are drawing in, the temperature is dropping and the need to start wrapping up warm is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. For Naturists in the UK, it’s the seasonal conundrum we know all too well: how do you stay warm without compromising your Naturist credentials? Fortunately, Ironic Clothing has the answer. The latest additions to the range are designed to keep you toasty while making i

Think the Naturist season is over? Think again! There’s still one big weekend to come in 2026, and The Gathering in Stirling, 30 October – 2 November, is shaping up to be the perfect way to round off the year. For four days, the King Robert Hotel becomes our home as we escape the autumn chill and turn up the heat with great company, entertainment, dancing and a whole lot of Halloween fun. 🎃 Halloween, Naturist style With The Gathering falling across Halloween weekend, there’s no excuse not t

Over the last two weeks, we have been exploring some of the findings from our all-member survey. Two weeks ago, we discovered that the aspect of membership people value most is the sense of community and belonging. Last week, we compared what members value with what they actually use, helping us identify where we can focus our efforts to make membership even more rewarding. This week, we turn our attention to one of our most tangible membership benefits: BN Magazine. British Naturism has been pu

The news we have all been waiting for has arrived: tickets for all our major 2027 events are now on sale! We’ve put tickets on sale earlier than ever and released the full programme, giving you plenty of time to make your plans. British Naturism runs dozens of events throughout the year, but our four festivals are undoubtedly among the highlights. And with each one offering something quite different, there’s a festival to suit almost everyone. So let’s take a look at the big four… NKD – Youth Fe

Hopefully the autumn edition of BN Magazine has been landing on your doormat this weekend. If you’ve had a chance to browse it, you’ll already know that we’re looking ahead to the winter edition. And this one is going to be a big one. The winter edition will be issue 250. That’s a remarkable milestone for a quarterly magazine, and a testament to the longevity of both BN Magazine and British Naturism itself. You may also have noticed a slight change in focus in the autumn edition, with more space

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day – an opportunity to think about an issue that affects people in every community, including our own. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the World Health Organization estimate that more than 700,000 people die by suicide around the world each year. Behind that number are individuals, families, friends and communities dealing with loss, grief and questions that can remain for many years. For the past three years, the theme of World

The Guardian today features the remarkable story of author Robert Ashton, who launched his new book, Down to Earth, at Springwood earlier this year before joining us for our Naturist visit to Johnsons Zoological Gardens. Robert’s story is a striking example of how Naturism can help an individual overcome a deeply personal challenge. For decades, Robert lived with paruresis, commonly known as bladder or shy bladder syndrome. This psychological condition can make it extremely difficult or impossib

British Naturism recently invited all our members to complete a survey and give their views on several aspects of the organisation. The aim was simple: to provide a genuine, unfiltered picture of what our members actually want from their organisation. Last week, we looked at the message that dominated the survey: community and a sense of belonging matter enormously to our members. That finding was not a surprise, but the strength of feeling was. It also gives us an important principle to take fo

For many of us, feeling confident in our bodies isn’t always easy. But Naturism can offer something powerful: a space where we can simply be ourselves, without worrying about how we look or what others might think. In the latest episode of Women in Focus, Helen Berriman is joined by Ronnie Belfitt, a long-time Naturist, British Naturism Ambassador and regular participant in our Women in Naturism holidays. Ronnie shares her own journey into Naturism and reflects on how discovering body acceptance

Symbols matter. We all know that one of the things we value most as members is the sense of community, support and friendship we find in British Naturism. At an official event, there is a relaxed atmosphere and a sense of trust because we know that the people around us share our views and values. But what happens in other settings? How do we recognise fellow members who might welcome a cheerful hello? How do we find others from our community? And, in the worst-case scenario, how do we know who w