About BN

Hopefully, it hasn't escaped your notice that British Naturism is celebrating 60 years of existence in 2024. The British Sunbathing Association and the Federation of British Sun Clubs joined forces on the 10th June 1964 and so with an elegance that was entirely unplanned, exactly 60 years later on 10th June 2024, we'll talk about it on The Forum Live! I'll be joined by BN's Archivist, Brian Curragh and we'll chat about that merger and some of the events that led up to it and then saunter th

GET INVOLVED WITH THE BIG HELP OUT AT BN: SUNFOLK This year Volunteers’ Week will culminate in The Big Help Out, from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 June, where people across the UK will get the chance to experience a range of volunteer taster sessions.  Within BN we are holding our own BIG Help Out at British Naturism: Sunfolk with Work Party volunteers helping to get the site ready for its re-opening on the 28 June 2024. This is a great opportunity to contribute to the final stage of the re-de

Ladies - come and take advantage of a relaxing afternoon out at Lancashire Sun Club on 11 June and enjoy the grounds, the swimming pool, the hot tub and sauna.   The club has a large sunbathing area adjacent to the solar heated pool and extensive lawns for sunbathing, with sunbeds provided. Overnight stays are possible, there's free tea and coffee throughout and sandwiches and cake will available at 3.30 pm for a small charge. New to Naturism? - Not a problem! This is a perfect op

In April, we reported on a highly-successful first event at the Withington pool in Manchester - so successful in fact that we're hosting another on 9 June. It's great to get new venues for costume-free swimming and so do support it if you can! Who knows, it might become a regular venue! Find out more and book your place over on the BN events website.

The Burrows Gardens was developed by Craig Dalton from 1985 and has been open to the public since 2006.  The first Naturist visit was in 2012 and there have been visits most years since - and we're returning this year! The first event is this Saturday, 8 June from noon until 4pm. It is a fabulous five acre garden set in delightful Derbyshire countryside.  Immaculate lawns set off a variety of 'rooms' in the garden including Roman, Italian, Cornish and of course English garden themes. There

WHAT IS VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK? 2024 marks the 40th year of Volunteers’ Week (3-9 June), when British Naturism joins thousands of charities and voluntary organisations recognising the amazing contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK.  It is also an opportunity to inspire more people to make a difference.  So we hope to encourage you and others to get involved in volunteering in whatever way works for you. Volunteers’ Week was first established in 1984 so this this year we’r

It’s a Sunday evening and the usual stuff is on television. Yet another Deal or No Deal, Britain’s Got Talent and Countryfile. Why not do something different? writes LASER PRO, Andy Wyman. In the middle of Kent is a fabulous venue, Scotney Castle Gardens, and BN have booked it exclusively from 5.30pm on June 9th. If you’re riding the Brighton World Naked Bike Ride that day it’s only an hour away so you could make it a complete Naturist day. So what is special about Scotney Castle Gardens

Do you know somebody whose contribution to the cause of Naturism has been exceptional and whom you think BN should recognise by the award of a Certificate of Merit? The Executive Committee welcomes nomination for certificates of merit from members. Certificates are usually awarded at the AGM, and in order to allow the EC to give proper consideration to nominations we're asking for these no later than 15 July.   Nominees don't have to be members - indeed certificates have in the past be

We like to bring you news stories of forthcoming events - it spreads the word, encourages more people to book and shows just how vibrant the Naturist scene is in the UK. However - I'm happy to say - there are far too many to promote them all individually and so here is a complete list of all the events happening over just the next couple of weeks and big events taking place later. Enjoy! And don't forget that we are always looking for reports on great gatherings for the magazine and elsewhere...

British Naturism has a fantastic job opportunity available at Sunfolk in St Albans - we are looking for a Housekeeper to join our team at Sunfolk. The ideal candidate would be someone who lives close to Sunfolk, working with the Events Manager and Wardens. Main Duties and responsibilities – cleanliness and upkeep of the buildings and associated camping accommodation. This is a paid, part-time 6 month fixed-term contract with the opportunity for renewal. Hours: 10 hours per we

Join host Helen Berriman, BN's Women's Officer, for a new episode of the podcast from British Naturism, dedicated to celebrating and empowering women in the Naturist community. Our podcast is created by women for women, although we warmly invite men to join us and listen as well. In each episode, we delve into insightful conversations, exploring various aspects of Naturism through the lens of womens' experiences. Whether you are a seasoned Naturist, new to the way of life or just intrigued,

There are at least three great Naturist opportunities to enjoy in Northumberland this summer.  On the 8th June, back by popular demand, is a visit to Alnwick Gardens (pictured). Enjoy the original Harry Potter backdrop as you meander naturally naked through the gardens. Take care in the Poison garden in case any of Professor Sprout’s repotted Mandrakes are lurking. Refresh yourself in the garden water features.  On the 27th July, get your clothes off and your sea-legs on and sail alo

There will be no The Forum Live on Monday as it's a Bank Holiday, but we'll be back the following week with the next quarterly Ask the Executive session on Monday week, 3 June at 7:30pm. It's a chance for members to meet and ask questions of British Naturism's Executive Committee and hear from officers and other volunteer role holders. It's open to all British Naturism members and is expected to last an hour. Questions for the Directors and Executive Committee members on any relevant s

Over the past year we have been redeveloping Sunfolk and we are so close to completion now that we can taste it.  The old building has been replaced by a new facility, the grounds have been completely redesigned and electrified and the green of the new lawns is starting to come through.  We are close, but we are not there yet! We reopen on the 28th June and before that there are countless small tasks to still complete.  This is your chance to get involved on site and help out.  Not only wil

We like to bring you news stories of forthcoming events - it spreads the word, encourages more people to book and shows just how vibrant the Naturist scene is in the UK. However - I'm happy to say - there are far too many to promote them all individually and so here is a complete list of all the events happening over just the next couple of weeks and big events taking place later. Enjoy! And don't forget that we are always looking for reports on great gatherings for the magazine and elsewhere...

There's (almost) a week's worth of Naturist events happening in BN's LASER (London and South East region) in a couple of week's time. It also gives those travelling from around the country to Nudefest, the opportunity to take in some great adventures on the way! June 11 BN/NatRam walk, Grovely Woods This is an 11-mile walk on the chalk downs and woods above Salisbury. (There’ll also be a shorter option available on the day). The walk is open to NatRam and BN members. June 12

It’s done! The first British Naturism/British Heart Foundation Naked Heart Walk of 2024 was completed on Saturday 18th May and it was a total success, writes organiser Keith Bowman.  We all gathered in the beautiful gardens of Powderham Castle on the banks of the River Exe in Glorious Devon, nestled amongst the famous Rolling Hills.  The weather on arrival was amazing and suggested a repeat of the lovely warm sunshine of last year.  After checking-in, the 75 participants, all keen to get g

We're definitely into the 'home straight' now with the Sunfolk redevelopment project, and can't wait to share the improvements we have made with BN members and other Naturists when the site re-opens on 28 June The donations that many members have made in response to our 'big donation' campaign have been really generous, and will make a real difference to the experience we can offer our visitors - these donations have allowed to purchase a whole range of large and small items, from tea spoon

Throughout this week we have been supporting Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 by considering the different ways Naturism promotes good mental health.  On this, the final day we look at the aspect that many might consider the most important, namely the principles upon which Naturism is based.  Naturism is about respect, respect for ourselves and respect for others.  It is founded upon family values, the belief that we should support one another, make EVERYBODY feel welcome and ensure that nobody

Earlier in the week we discussed physical exercise as part of the Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 theme of “Movement”.  Naturism also provides a great link to exercises that directly tackle mental wellbeing.  Yoga, meditation, and massage tackle both physical and mental matters and are sometimes done nude even outside Naturist circles.  Yoga, for example, works better nude for the purely practical reasons of flexibility, removing restrictions that irritate the skin and unbalance temperature re

Sadly, many of the mental health challenges we all encounter are man-made and should be avoidable.  Things like money and the pressure of life affect us all.  But perhaps the saddest factor is that so many are targeted by prejudice and discrimination, purely because of the way they live their lives.  Naturists occasionally suffer discrimination, and this is probably the reason that despite the IPSOS survey of 2022 telling us that there are nearly 7 million Naturists in the UK, Naturists are not

We like to bring you news stories of forthcoming events - it spreads the word, encourages more people to book and shows just how vibrant the Naturist scene is in the UK. However - I'm happy to say - there are far too many to promote them all individually and so here is a complete list of all the events happening over just the next couple of weeks and big events taking place later. Enjoy! And don't forget that we are always looking for reports on great gatherings for the magazine and elsewhere...

As we continue to look at how Naturism can support our mental health as part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2024, we look at the word from which Naturism draws its name, “nature”.  Research shows that nature is crucial for our mental and physical health and our relationship with nature significantly contributes to good mental health and well-being.  70% of UK adults agree that being close to nature improves their mood, and 49% say that being close to nature helps them to cope with stress.  The

Next week in The Forum Live Debate we will discuss the values that define Naturism for us personally and as a community.  The international definition of Naturism is older than I am and has stood the test of time, but inevitably lacks the depth to reflect all that we see in Naturism.  Having a clear idea of what Naturism means will help us to share the philosophy with others.  At the same time we should recognise that different people have different perceptions and different priorities, so there

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week 2024, the Mental Health Foundation are running a “Wear it Green” initiative to raise both awareness and funds.  Wearing clothes of any colour might seem anathema to Naturists, but if there is one thing Naturists like doing, it is wearing body paint!  Why not take this opportunity to paint yourself green and start conversations about why you have done it.  This would be a fantastic opportunity to talk about Naturism and the crucial issue of mental health.