Skip to content

News and Articles

News and articles about BN and the wonderful world of Naturism
Show all categories

The BN Members’ Holiday to Corsica

Under an hour from Bastia lies the Naturist resort of ‘Tropica’, a vast, natural area of parkland on the seafront in Corsica and where we’ve just returned from another successful BN Members’ Holiday. Guests stayed in modern, well-appointed bungalows in lush green surroundings, a 3-minute walk from the very long (6km) naturist beach on the east side of Corsica. This truly relaxing environment led to a wonderful week where we were ‘at one with nature’. Tropica has its own beach bar, but there is also a bar and separate restaurant at nearby Club Corsicana and a delightful ‘favourite’ of our group called ‘Chez Rose Marie’ reached on foot along countryside/beach tracks by the river where you are greeted by the a chorus of frogs croaking and bird song in the morning or in the evening.   
Activities included a BBQ at the site owner’s (rather splendid) house along the beach, where we swam in a huge pool; an early morning stretch session accompanied by relaxing music and bird-song; a trip to the other-worldly Roman remains and modern sculptures on the hilltop plateau at Aléria; a drive into the mountains where pink villages decorate the dark green hillsides; and a morning at Naturist resort Riva Bella where we met donkeys and llamas before a stroll on the beach. During the days we swam in the clear sea with sand underfoot, walking along the sandy beach or taking a stroll along meandering countryside tracks - where walking without clothes was possible. Some also chose to relax with a massage from Marielle on the beach, who was accompanied by her beautiful companion Max, a pure white Labrador who sat quietly by her side. We dined as a group most evenings, enjoying quizzes and card games - and great company. This was a gentle, relaxing, captivating week of escape that we were all very sad to leave.
There are more BN Members’ holidays to come this year, check them out!

BN216 - Summer 2018

As always our members' quarterly magazine s a great read, full of news, views and reviews, all brought to life with full colour throughout.   If you are a member of BN you can download a digital copy - as well as all BN magazines back to 2004. In this issue we're covering:
Get fit, get naked - we take a look at the many different opportunities there are to keep fit - from cycling to Yoga to Tai-Chi, there's a whole new world out there!
A review of our Bournemouth and Blackpool weekends
Naturism in Northern Ireland - getting busier…
Naked Dining - Bristol organiser Will tells us how his venture came about - and it may just whet your appetite for some of the other similar ventures that are happening this year!
Naked Theatre - we review the recent production of Skin Deep that was clothing-optional for the audience
Naturism and veganism - is there a correlation? Jane discusses.
Looking for holiday ideas? Check out our reviews of recent group holidays to El Portus, and our Austrian ski-ing trip - as well as member reviews from Portugal, Croatia, Kos and Montenegro.
Judith Stinchcombe looks back over her time as BN Chair, and remembers some of the highlights of her time.
Comprehensive listings of clubs, swims and events
…and much more besides.
BN Magazine is available to members only and issued four times a year as part of your annual subscription. If you are not a member, you can join us and get your own copy and other benefits as well.

NKD - what a weekend!

The first ever NKD closed its doors on bank holiday Monday to rave reviews.
NKD is British Naturism’s youth and family festival and welcomed around 150 guests over the weekend. The weather was amazing, three days of splendid sunshine
There was loads to do from the Holi-style paint fight to the massive 25m long slip ‘n’ slide, campfire sing-a-longs to laughter yoga.  There was a great night out at Splashdown waterpark. Everyone got involved.
The best thing about NKD though was the people. A new, younger community was forged, families bonded, we laughed, played and sang together.
The NKD spirit is truly alive and will return May 24th - 27th 2019.
Get it in your diary now!
 
See the pics! BN Members can access galleries of images from all events, including NKD and Splashdown (log in required)

Our Vritomartis members' group holiday

A group of 15 flew out to Crete with Chalfont Holidays to join the BN group holiday. Emerging over the mountain top and driving down the hairpin bends, avoiding the goats (who wander everywhere) we were all aware of the spectacular view before us as we arrived at the stunning coastal resort of Vritomartis. 
At this lovely hotel we either enjoyed sitting on the verandas or dipping into the super large pool, both with stunning views of the sea, or we joined in the plentiful hotel activities; pétanque, archery, shuffleboard to name a few. We ran our own BN aqua class in the afternoons with lots of ‘noodle’ fun, and had several ‘BN only' group trips including one to the local village Chora Sfakion where we enjoyed a lunch at our host’s family taverna. One morning we ventured further afield to the ancient parts of Anopolis followed by a splendid and plentiful lunch with raki that didn’t stop flowing, and on another day to a war museum followed by delicious tastings at a winery. 
The more adventurous of our group ventured out with the hotel party for challenging spectacular gorge walks and a jeep safari. The hotel entertainment ran every night with even a little Greek dancing thrown into the mix. On a couple of early evenings we were kept guessing with Andrew’s quizzes while drinking some excellent local wine.  
The week went quickly, but the memories will last.
Fancy a group holiday? Find out all about those to come this summer and beyond

It’s the BIG BN Bank Holiday weekend!

Nothing on this weekend? Let's keep it that way...
It's one of the busiest weekends of the year for Naturists in the UK - what will you do?
 
May 25 - May 28 - Dorset
NEW for 2018! NKD, youth and family clothes-free festival
 
May 25 - June 1 - Yorkshire
Nudestock IX - camping and activity weekend, now in its ninth year
 
May 26 - Dorset
Naked night at Splashdown Waterpark, Poole
 
May 27 - Somerset
Naked dining in a Pullman carriage. Optional camping nearby.
 
Check out our calendar and see this map for ALL the naked activities this weekend and throughout the year…

My six reasons to be naked

Talking to a gym buddy the other week, she asked me where I go to swim and I told her it was at the Naturist Club in our village. She looked at me with amused interest whilst inadvertently covering her clothed chest with both arms in a protective way. This is often the reaction I see when telling another woman. It is as though she believes the very mention of naked swimming makes her clothes see-through and indicates an instinctive vulnerability. Many say, ‘I couldn’t do that’. 
I understand for many Naturists that just ‘being naked’ is what they crave, and to do everyday activities in the nude. I don’t feel that need - for me clothes can be preferable on many occasions. The reason I choose the clothes-free option to swim and do other activities is because it makes sense. I hope that looking at it from this perspective may help others outside who struggle with their own nakedness to see that there are sensible reasons not to wear clothes on occasion, reasons that seem to have been forgotten by the clothed community in this country.
Comfort
You don’t know until you try. All my childhood and adult life until these latter years I struggled with tight uncomfortable swimming costumes. Some are even padded which is odd when you think about what a ‘swimming’ costume is for, and they are often uncomfortable when being dragged by water or when sitting in a sauna.  Being in a sauna means sweat, lots of it, all being soaked up in that tight clingy cloth and padding! It is far more comfortable and sensible to get back to basics, and not put that costume on in the first place.
Cleanliness
We all know that viruses, yeast, and bacteria love to live in warm, moist places. Keeping on a wet costume means it’s rubbing up against all the bits you have covered and can lead to infections. You may notice when abroad that some people seem to wear costumes as all round clothing options; going from beach, to the pool and drying in the sun, then slipping on a sarong or shorts over it to go to lunch or the shops, picking up everything in the atmosphere along the way and then back down to that costume for another dip in the pool later…. let’s not stop to think too much about what is then being dragged through the water alongside the bodies! For us, we take the clothes off, have a quick douse before slipping in the water to swim - and into cleaner pools because of it.
Cost
I know I am really lucky to have a Naturist club near to me, but when I sat down and worked the finance out, I realised my membership of the club, where I generally swim twice a week, works out far cheaper than swimming in the local public pool. It really is what some would term as a ‘no brainer’.
Space
When on holiday at a Spanish Naturist resort recently we wandered from ‘our’ beach to another on the ‘clothed side’. It was a sunny weekend admittedly, but that beach was packed and noisy.  You could not put a pin between people and sunbeds and all their ‘stuff’. I could not wait to retreat to the tranquility, back to the more comfortable side where I could reach out and touch the space, feel the calm, hear the sea and breathe in the experience.
Ambience
Not only do we benefit from space, but also from that lovely relaxed atmosphere that envelopes us at our chosen resorts, beaches, clubs. There is usually a physical natural beauty combined with the sense of well-being that seems to surround us in these environments. It is as though we have found the complete escape from the stresses of everyday life.
Safety
This one comes as a double whammy. 
Personal safety - I can be stark naked around stark naked men and women and I have never felt safer in my life. The community is respectful and considerate. When everything is laid bare, there is nowhere to hide. That brings a sense of comfort and even freedom. It does seem surprising really. Why would being naked make you feel safe? I think it is because in a naked state everyone is equal and no one appears dominant or threatening. You could also say everyone is equally vulnerable. Whichever way you look at it, it leads to a safer place to be.
Security - I am far more easygoing when mixing within the community about belongings. Perhaps it is because we mix freely, talk to each other and feel comfortable with each other, but I certainly never worry that anything will go missing. Quite the opposite, people look out for each other. Obviously ‘no pockets’ means there is nowhere for anything to be hidden! Whatever the reason, I do not worry about theft or about my belongings when I am within the community, which I certainly do when I am away from it. 
 
‘You are brave’ my friend said, ‘I still couldn't do it’.  ‘Not brave’ I said, ‘it really is just better.’ I hadn’t mentioned the ‘Naturist’ word once. My friend may not choose to try a naked dip, but at least she understands why I do. You don’t need to use the often misunderstood ‘Naturist’ label when common sense and a logical, sensible approach speaks for itself.
Sheryn
 
Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash

Naked Dining Mexican-style

***Update 5th June - last few places available***
Ay carumba! Naked dining - it’s all the rage! Following success in Bristol, we now gather for a wonderful unclothed Mexican restaurant experience in Datchworth, Hertfordshire, between Stevenage and Welwyn, on Saturday 16th June, starting at 7:00 pm.
It's the same day as the Cambridge World Naked Bike Ride with plenty of time for riders to finish the ride and make their way and extend the nude time...
Check out the details including how to book. Places are limited, so please don’t delay.

A Blackpool beach day

BN enjoyed another fabulous day on the beach at St. Anne's near Blackpool with 31 people enjoying the Bank Holiday weekend sunshine.
A few of us had walked down to the sea around three-quarters of a mile out. 'Concerned' members of the public had called the police and the powers that be decided to send a couple of officers to have a chat with us. They were brilliant. Very much on our side and told us they were aware of our event. When we originally met with the council and police a couple of years ago they said they would inform officers when we were meeting. Good to know it's still working. They left with a copy of the BN Public Place Naturism Guide, but they both declined an invitation to our swim that night. We also had a visit from a reporter from Andy Mitchell from Radio Wave and the Blackpool Gazette.
Let's see if we can get even more attendees at our next beach picnic on the second of June!
 
A slightly sun kissed George
 
 
Photo by Jan Romero on Unsplash

The Gathering gets underway

What started as a weekend event in Scotland for Naturists six years ago has turned into a major international event and sell out, now attracting a record 132 guests, spending between two and eight days in the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.
Hundreds of guests over the years have now put Dunoon firmly on the Naturist circuit and most importantly the local community now accept Naturists as welcomed and respected tourists enjoying boat trips, garden visits and walks in the countryside - without clothes, and without hassle.
Guests will enjoy a packed programme of activities both in and out of the event’s base, the Glenmorag hotel, including evening entertainment and the now traditional Burns in the Buff dinner. 
https://www.bn.org.uk/calendar/event/3768-the-gathering/
BN Members can follow the action as it unfolds on the BN Members' forum

Naked dining in a Pullman carriage

The opportunities for doing day to day activities continues…we now bring you a naked dining experience in  'The Carriage' at The Old Station Inn, Hallatrow, Somerset.
Between Bath, Bristol and Wells lays The Old Station Inn and Carriage restaurant. The Hotel, originally commissioned for the now closed Hallatrow Railway station was built in the 1920s and is a fine example of the architecture of the period.
With obvious links to the railways it also features an old Pullman carriage as its restaurant, which has been lovingly restored to all its former glory. This was modelled on the iconic Royal Scotsman's dining car and is both elegant and welcoming.
Places are selling fast, so book your place now!  Make a weekend of it and stay nearby at Cam Bridge Barn.
Sunday 27th May from 7.00pm
Find out all the details including how to book

The wetter… the better….

Another busy night at Stoke Waterworld on Saturday saw over 300 Naturists gathering for a night of waterpark madness. A good night was had by all with one of the youngest turnouts BN has ever had! YBN were out in force.
A good number of families showed up too, and Waterworld doesn’t disappoint with a great mix of slides, play areas and 'tough mudder’-esque monkey bars and leaping lillypads! There really is something for everyone including those who just want to relax and enjoy a drink and food from the poolside bar.
If you missed out we are back at Waterworld later in the year for the finale of The Great British Skinny Dip on the 29th September.
If you can’t wait till then and love a waterpark then you are in luck – Splashdown happens the late bank holiday weekend in May (May 26th) in Poole, Dorset. Buy your tickets now!

A new photo project - can you be involved?

Well-known to members of BN, and highly regarded, Laura Dodsworth author/photographer of ‘Bare Reality’ and ‘Manhood’ is embarking on her next project - and you can take part in it!
It’s also the subject of a documentary being made for Channel 4. Burning Bright Productions are looking for women to speak about what being a woman is to them, told through their life experiences and their bodies.
If you think you have an interesting story or view point you would like to be included then please email your interest to womanhood@BBprod.co.uk and a member of the team will be in touch to talk through what it involves.

SKIN DEEP – a review

A clothes-optional performance at Stockwell Playhouse Theatre, London
It was with some trepidation that I approached the clothes optional performance of SKIN DEEP at the Stockwell Playhouse.  I have reviewed shows at some very peculiar venues and sat on all kinds of seating including sandbags, but I have always worn clothes. How would I manage with my notebook without a good lap to rest it on? In the event, of course, I undressed and sat on a theatre seat and wrote in my notebook as usual.  The theatre holds 181 people and was almost full on the 27 April which was the only night when nudity was encouraged. Most of the audience was completely nude with just a few in some kind of clothing. Many in the audience are BN members and when I spoke to them they came from a variety of places. One had come from Birmingham specially to see the show, others are members of clubs and a lot just read about it on social media or via the BN members’ forum. It was good to see a scattering of females although the audience was substantially male – young and middle-aged, just a couple of seniors around. I was delighted to observe a long queue for the Gents toilets as I waltzed straight into the Ladies’!
And so …on to the show.  There are four young men,  William Frazer, Adam O’Shea, Nick Brittain and Daniel Timoney, together with a well-endowed and attractive young woman known as Diana played by Shani Cantor, who examine our attitude to our bodies. The patter and songs look at issues covering body image. They talk about when they were young – one of the young men had severe spots, another speaks about not being chosen for the football team while one complains about being too fat.
There are some very good songs which illustrate the performers’ concerns.  I particularly liked Size Doesn’t Matter. Love Me for Who I Am is moving while My Foreskin and Me is most amusing. This latter song follows a close examination (on a screen) of the lower part of Michelangelo’s David. Director and Choreographer Adam Scown manages his performers expertly and is well served by the cast.  The young men sing pleasantly and dance - in a variety of styles - extremely well.  Shani Cantor has a great voice and puts across her songs with lots of feeling and meaningful glances at the audience.  Words and music are by Chris Burgess and he has a good line in innuendo and sexual asides. The references to nudism and gay jokes went down particularly well with this audience. The set design is good with excellent lighting on display. 
The performers are quite camp with some explicit displays. There is a well-danced and amusing number where the males hold giant fans in strategic positions which the audience really appreciated. The grand finale with the actors prancing around as nature intended is well worth the price of the entrance ticket. The show should please most people and if you can catch another clothes optional performance such as the one at the Edinburgh Fringe, so much the better!
Carlie Newman
Find out more about the show and future dates. Every venue is allowing BN Members to use the concessionary discount code.
 

Naturism on the Finca, Despatches From an Olive Grove

Naturist Kevin Wheeler shares his experiences about making a stone 'mas' habitable on his own Finca in Spain.
There is nothing better than a hot day on a British naturist beach. The problem is that there are just not enough hot days in the typical British summer. I am privileged to live on a farm with a private sheltered garden in beautiful part of Devon, but in forty years of Naturism I have seen no great improvement in the weather. So I am writing this in Spain. 
Four years ago I decided to try to buy a place somewhere sunny. A villa with a pool, or an apartment by the beach would be nice. The problem is that my spare cash would not run to either one. I needed to do this on a very limited budget. Time share would not work for me, I need more than two weeks a year in the sun!  Then I heard about fincas.
The Spanish word finca has many translations, Google Translate suggests land, property and estate. My finca is fairly typical, it is an olive grove. Two acres of terraced land on the side of a mountain. There is a stone building with one room inside. We Brits might call it a shed! Traditionally these houses were lived in for a short time when the land was worked or during the harvest. Mine still had a section where the donkey would have stayed. These buildings were very well made and would have been warm at night and cool by day. If you buy one that is a hundred years old it may not be quite so weather-tight.
I pictured myself sat naked outside such a house with a drink just soaking up the sun. Today that is precisely what I am doing. Then later on I will take a stroll among the trees.
A quick word about Spanish law, it is lawful to stay in these buildings, but most Spanish authorities will not give formal consent for them to be lived in permanently. Nonetheless many intrepid Spanish people and expats do live in them. One thing is sure, they make great and perfectly legal holiday homes.
So where exactly are we? Well very close to the frontier of Catalonia and Aragon. The nearest settled community is Maella, which must be a town as it has a town hall, but it is the size of a British village. It is an historic town and is best known as the birth place of Pablo Gargallo the noted Spanish sculptor.
As is frequently discussed elsewhere, the Spanish constitution includes the right to public nudity. When on the finca we only dress by day when we need to limit our exposure to the sun. Public nudity is not really an issue here as we never see anyone except for visiting Naturists who have their own fincas in the area.
Sitting naked in the virtually-guaranteed sunshine can be the principal pastime for six months a year.
The temperature here often gets into the high thirties in June, in July and August it can reach 40. I have been asked “What can you wear at 40 degrees?” My answer is water. Get in it, or get it all over you. One of the things I did on my first visit to the finca was to install a plunge pool. It is only a very simple design but it makes an amazing difference.
Then there is swimming in the local river. There are four rivers in the area, but for me it has to be the Algars. It has sink holes so you can swim even when the river starts to dry up. There are small fish who show no fear when you swim with them. The surrounding countryside is stunning. The banks are gently sloping and covered in small pebbles. It is like being at the beach.
On the subject of beaches, my nearest Naturist beach is the amazing El Torn at Hospitalet del Infant.  El Templo del Sol is the Naturist camp site which is on the cliff above the beach. The reviews of the camp site are mixed but everyone loves the beach. A review on Trip Advisor called it one of the best naturist beaches in Europe. About a kilometre of beautiful golden sand and shingle. The water is usually calm, clear and warm even in May. The back of the beach is fringed with pine forest. It is very popular, but never feels too crowded. There is a very good tapas bar on the beach which does not seem at all out of place. This is not a commercial, but explains why my friends and I love it. It is quite a way from the finca, but well worth the drive.
An average day here often begins with an early start to carry out any work that needs to be done before the sun rises fully above the surrounding hills. This is the cool time of day, the temperature is around 16 - 18 degrees which is very comfortable for working. Equally this is a great time for walking around the finca and enjoying the amazing countryside views.
When the sun hits the finca fully, a couple of hours after sunrise, the temperature rises quickly. Breakfast time, then settle down with a book for some sunbathing and frequent dips in the pool. Alternatively head out for a day on the beach.
Around 1 pm to 3 pm is a good time for swimming in the river. Local people seem to observe the siesta and will tend to go to the river around 4 pm. So mad dogs and Englishmen have it to themselves in the early afternoon.
Grocery shopping for a supper of fresh local produce on the way back to the finca and there is still time for a few hours sunbathing.
Many expats like to take a walk in the evening, if you are en casa this is when you may get a visit from the neighbours.
There is quite an active café and bar culture in Maella. There is a good chance you will see friends in the local tapas bars at lunch time and in the bars in the evening.
My nearest neighbours, one Dutch and two British, stay on their fincas for several months a year, and one lives there full time. I must admit to envying them when it is time for me to return home.
The mountain climate in summer has been a revelation, the day carries on getting hotter well into the evening. You can leave the beach as the day cools, drive up the mountain and find that when you get home it is hotter than when you left the beach. There are often a couple hours more sunbathing if you need it.
When I wrote this, it was my third summer visiting the finca, I get five weeks holiday a year and I spend it all here. I have a week in May, June, and July and two weeks in September. That way I have five months a year which feel like summer.
Sunbathing, swimming, local wine and the Mediterranean diet, my Spanish naturist hideaway is a great place to be.
Like so many people of my age I caught the DIY bug back in the eighties. As a younger man I was very keen on knocking down walls, fitting breakfast bars, stripping floors and painting or varnishing almost everything. So I can still tell one end of a screwdriver from the other.
I have been able to carry out a fair amount of work on the house myself. When I first took it on, I described the building as a shed. Now it has had work done on it and it is upgraded to a habitable shed.
It is important to note that any substantial work here needs permission from the town hall. I was advised by the estate agent that I needed a concrete floor inside and a patio outside. This would provide a clean area in which to stay, work and relax. That proved extremely good advice, it was a big job and I was not keen on mixing concrete in the summer heat. This was a task for a local builder. He arranged the necessary permission to restore the building and carried out the agreed work. All this was done in the spring, before my first planned stay on the finca. I was very pleased with the result. From that point on I have done the work myself.
During my first visit I noticed that the roof was sagging a bit. So as a temporary measure I reinforced it from below and replaced a few broken tiles. That at least kept it water proof for the first few years. I was not sure how much longer my temporary fix would last. The major project this year has been to rebuild it. I have had a great deal of help from visitors who are staying on the finca and a friend from a neighbouring finca.
The traditional roofs in this area are the pan tiles which you see in older Spanish buildings. Below this is a layer made from rushes and soil. All this is supported on wooden beams. The rushes are around four feet long and about as thick as the bamboo we would use for growing runner beans. They are mostly split in half long-ways. They are woven into a panel and laid on top of the beams. On these there is a thick layer of soil, possibly applied wet. If you can imagine a wattle and daub wall on its side you will have the picture. The tiles rest on the soil.
In the long term the rushes start to break up and a constant light rain of dust and small stones falls from the ceiling. To be fair the roof here may be more than a hundred years old, so it has done really well.
I don’t know where I would get the rushes, I am fairly sure that I would not be allowed to cut them from the river banks, and I did not fancy spending days splitting them so instead I decided on a wooden ceiling.
A word about wood. There are pine trees growing on most mountain sides, but it is not permitted to cut them as they are a protected plant species. I imagine they are an important wildlife habitat. As a result I understand that most of the timber in Spain is imported. This means that it is not readily available and when you can find it, it comes at a high price. As a British farmer I am used to wood being relatively affordable, so I was surprised to find that it is actually more economical to buy the timber in the UK and have it shipped to Spain.
With all the materials on site and the work force prepared each day by having had a very substantial breakfast we got started. The old roof was dismantled taking care not to break the tiles. A lot of broken rushes and soil were hauled away in the wheel barrow. Then new timber planks were fitted and tiles rested on top. The entire job took four days, but has been well worth the effort. The roof is now secure and the ceiling looks good in a rustic way.
I had expected that one of the major DIY jobs would be going “off-grid”.
There has been a great deal of discussion in the British press recently about living off grid. Experts tell us that it may hold the solution to increased use of renewable energy. They seem to be promoting large banks of very expensive batteries linked to equally expensive solar panels and wind turbines. Personally I am entirely in favour of renewable energy, from our farm in Devon you can see six windmills and there are another eight within a mile or two. There are also three substantial solar farms nearby, in my view they are all necessary and when properly planned they blend nicely into the countryside. Of course there are those who will disagree.
What I am not so sure about is the high cost of renewable energy in the UK. Life off grid here in the Spanish countryside is a far simpler affair, I often think the planners would do well to look at the way rural communities live. When you are up a mountain off grid is your only option. There are no mains electricity, gas, water, or drainage here. There are some truly enormous arrays of wind turbines and solar installations serving the Spanish mains, but it is the small scale local systems which interest me.
Going off grid has proved to be much less complicated than I had thought.
In many parts of Spain bottled gas is the most popular choice of energy to cook with, this applies even in town. Most garages therefore sell gas. The sale of gas is regulated in Spain, to buy the first bottle you need a license. After that they exchange an empty bottle for a full one as we do at home. Gas takes care of the cooking. I could not survive out here without a steady supply of cold drinks. A fridge is essential, this also runs on gas.
The next question is water. As everyone knows you cannot drink the tap water in much of mainland Europe, so we all buy vast amounts of bottled water. Go to any supermarket and you will find that everyone’s trolley is half filled with bottles of water. You also need water for other purposes and there are no mains taps where I am. Being British I thought about a bore hole. I made enquiries much to the amusement of local people who told me that you can drill as far as you like, there is no water under these mountains. I have since learned that at least one person has tried, they now own a very deep, very dry hole. I now have a rain water harvesting system which gathers water during the winter. This consists of metal roofing sheets on a timber framework with gutters leading to water tanks. These are the caged plastic type known in the UK as IBC tanks, in Spain they call them cubes. I have four tanks which when topped up by the occasional summer storm hold enough water to see us through. This system is at the highest point on the finca, well above the house. By the time it has come down the hill the water pressure is about the same as it is at home. The taps run quickly and we can have a good shower. We also collect water from the house roof for the pool.
Heating the water is surprisingly easy, simply run it through a black pipe. This is solar heating at its most basic. I was warned by the locals that this will provide water which is too hot to handle, it is certainly true that from mid-day and all afternoon it is necessary to mix it with some cold water, so we bury blue pipe to carry the cold water and use black pipe laid along the ground for hot water.
At the same time I set up the shower. This is outside. I made a privacy screen, which no one uses. Showering in the great outdoors is described by some visitors as one of the highlights of the stay, it is like something out of a shower gel commercial.
A hot water storage tank would probably improve the system, but so far we have not needed it. Instead we have learned to have our showers and do the washing up when the water is hot. It is all part of adjusting your lifestyle to match the environment and the natural patterns of the day rather than trying to do things the other way around as we are often obliged to at home. I think this fits in well with the naturist philosophy. Very occasionally we also do some laundry such as beach towels, but living the way we do there are very few clothes to wash! There is more than enough hot water for all these tasks.
The drains are even easier. The ground here is parched in summer. A simple, shallow soak away will take all the used water. The nearest trees respond with richer, greener leaves and bigger fruit. Hopefully as a result they also support a few more insects and birds. This way of life encourages us to think carefully about waste and to recycle as much as possible on the finca, if the water is no use to us perhaps it will benefit the wild life.
Naturally there is another kind of drain needed when you are making a holiday home miles from the nearest loo. A composting septic tank takes care of that. I won’t go into detail about it here, suffice to say that it provides a hygienic solution to a potentially tricky problem.
This leaves the electricity. I only need power for the phone, the camera, and some lighting. The car will charge the first two.
It was therefore a priority to install solar lighting. Solar electricity presents two main problems. The set up cost can easily run into hundreds of pounds and in one local case a system with computer controlled solar tracking panels cost tens of thousands. The second concern is that solar panels have been targeted by thieves in some parts of Spain. Thankfully that has not been an issue in our area, touch wood!
My preferred system is much simpler. Four lights, each connected to its own very small solar panel (about the size of a smart phone) no controllers or inverters, the batteries are inside the lights. The whole system cost less than twenty pounds and the first parts of it have now lasted for four years and counting.
The finca is now as off grid as it is possible to get and the system is mostly self-sustaining.
I would not want to give you the impression that we have only been working this week. We have stopped to go swimming in the river almost every day and we have had a day down at El Torn, our nearest naturist beach. Now that the work is done we will be back on the beach tomorrow.
 One question that sometimes arises, “Is it safe to do DIY without protective clothing?” Or in the case of BN members “In no clothing at all?” I think it depends which tools you are using. Personally I draw the line at dodging sparks from the angle grinder.
A little understanding of DIY is a good thing on the finca, but not essential. Neighbours are usually generous with their advice and quick to lend a hand. They have usually got the one tool I forgot to pack. Alternatively there are local builders who will handle it all for you, if you prefer to sit back and relax.
The building work is done, and we have a few bottles of wine in the fridge. I think it is time to call it a day
 

‘Can our staff be naked too?’

Dine Naked Bristol founder (and BN member) Will explains how the venture came to be, and some of the surprising things he’s been asked by venues.
What happens if you drop hot food? and Do I have to arrive at the venue naked? are two of the most common questions I’ve been asked about naked dining. Another one is Why naked?
For me, the answer comes from the World Naked Bike Ride. For the last few years, I have coordinated the ride in Bristol. It was a hugely rewarding role. Riders told me how they went from being nervous and self-conscious of their bodies beforehand, to having their fears evaporate within the first minutes of the event. And afterwards they reported a greater sense of positivity and pride in their bodies.
I wanted to find another way to share this feeling. Having been to a few naked dinner parties with friends, I wondered if naked dining would have wider appeal.
It’s a simple idea – to book out an entire restaurant, pub, or function room for people to dine whilst naked. The diners would enjoy the same food and drink that would normally be served there, at roughly similar prices. There’d be no photography, and we’d welcome people who are under-represented at many naturist events, such as women, people with disabilities, and BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic), and LGBT+ people. I wrote up these principles as a mini-manifesto. I set up Facebook and Twitter accounts, and tweeted about my plans. Most diners probably don’t use Twitter, but nearly all journalists do: the tweets were mentioned in the local press, and then I hurried to start contacting venues.
Several places ignored my emails, but I had no negative responses. Some responded positively, so I arranged to visit them for a chat. I told them we’d sell tickets in advance; that we’d provide towels for diners to sit on; that we’d make it clear it was a non-sexual event. At one venue I was told that their staff had been talking about the naked dining idea, and they wanted to be naked too!
All three events so far have sold out within a few days. And we’ve had a diverse mix of diners, with more young people and women than at most naturist events I’ve been to. At the last event, a couple came along because it was at their local pub and sounded fun, despite them never having experienced social nudity before. Journalists have taken part and written positively about their experiences. One finished her account by saying, ‘The evening has flown by and I don my clothes with almost as much reluctance as I had taken them off hours prior.’ And indeed, the managers of one venue joined in the nudity while hosting us. It made for a very welcoming atmosphere. It sounds like they really enjoyed it too - they're hoping to come along as customers to the next event! We’ve even had a diner coming to Bristol all the way from Edinburgh for our naked lunch!
These are small events, and I don’t plan to run more than one a month. But it’s great that they’ve got people in Bristol and beyond talking about their attitudes to nudity and bodies. I’m sure Dine Naked could work in other cities. Already, Dine Naked Brighton has started contacting potential venues.
If you fancy giving it a go where you live, I am happy to share ideas and resources. Get in touch at hello@dinenaked.co.uk and check out facebook.com/dinenkd and twitter.com/DineNaked

Our nude run - open to all

Runners at British Naturism’s Nudefest’s 5k and 10k runs won’t be worrying about sporting the latest, fashionable running gear, they will be wearing the most natural and ergonomic outfit - nothing!
Nudefest is a week-long clothes free festival held in Somerset. During the week nearly 100 different sessions, events or types of entertainment will be held and one of these is a naked run.
On Saturday 14th July runners will complete over either one or two 5k laps. The run is open to non-Nudefest guests, so if you’ve been looking for a change to your daily routine of pounding the same old pavements, it could be for you.
The run is completely within the grounds of the site - a large rural area complete with a number of idyllic lakes.
Naked runners will receive a medal and certificate for taking part and can have an official photograph taken of themselves to prove they have completed a ‘naked’ run.
Runners are advised to wear suitable footwear and women can choose to wear a bra. Changing rooms are available and runners can stay for the day and enjoy the festival site which has a well stocked bar, catering facilities and entertainment till late.
Find out more at https://www.bn.org.uk/calendar/event/4111-5k10k-run-at-nudefest/
..and if you can’t make this one (or even if you can) check out another nude 5K at the Naturist Foundation in Kent, in May https://www.bn.org.uk/calendar/event/3874-5k-run-naturist-foundation/

The Naked BBC Podcast

BBC launches new podcast about body image and nudity - with naked reporters
Jenny Eells and Kat Harbourne, reporters at BBC Radio Sheffield, are baring all in an innovative series of podcasts for the BBC. The two women (pictured) want to explore issues around body image and nudity to find out why people are so prudish about their bodies and why many people, particularly women, aren’t more body confident. By recording each episode naked they encourage a more open conversation with their guests - who are also naked - and one that confronts the taboos about nudity. They plan to record one of the episodes at a Naturist event.
“I’ve never been scared of being “in the nip” as it were but chatting to a mate in the buff with nothing but a microphone to cover our modesty was a challenging prospect to say the least,” says Jenny.
“And that’s before we got any guests involved! For me being naked isn’t really an issue but I know that’s not the case for everyone and I wanted to try and find out why.  Before we started recording, I wondered if conversations with no clothes on could be, quite literally, more revealing. And from the frank, open and honest chats we’ve already had with amazing women from all walks of life – they most definitely are!”
“I don’t particularly like getting naked, so at points I’ve wondered why we’re putting ourselves through this!” explains Kat. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve not felt confident about my body. In my thirties I decided it was time to change this and question why so many of us feel the same way. Why ARE we ashamed of what’s beneath our clothes? Why do we spend so much time worrying what other people think? Why don’t we celebrate the amazing things our bodies are capable of? I can’t wait for people to hear the astonishing stories we’ve recorded with brave, funny and brutally honest women.”
With the Naked Podcast series Kat and Jenny hope to inspire a generation of people to feel more self-assured and proud of what is underneath their clothes.
The station will also run a series of stories about body image and identity across their programmes throughout the week beginning April 16th. Catch a (naked) interview with BN member Mark on the Rony Robinson show on Wednesday 18th April at 2.30pm.
The podcasts will be available to download for free from http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts from that date too.

Bare With Me - the East End Film Festival

We were approached at the end of 2017 by filmmakers Natasha Coleman and Stephen Noble, looking for subjects to feature in a short film they were making. The film discusses how people find and feel about social nudity and aims to explore how confidence in our own bodies and respect for others prevents the objectification, and in extreme cases harassment, that plagues society. The result is ‘Bare with Me’ and it has been accepted into the East Film Festival and airs on April 26th.
The category is ‘Defying Gravity’ which features eight films. The struggle is real. Whether they are fighting against capitalism, social injustice and prejudice, or challenging social assumptions, the protagonists of these films are real survivors facing forces sometimes stronger than gravity. Keep your head up, will ya?
BN member and participant in the film, Mark says:
‘Making this film was really uplifting and great fun for all of us. Body acceptance is a serious subject that we all really cared about so we developed the project together and really invested ourselves. It was striking to see the film crew realising how their own fears were limiting themselves and that maybe there was a better way. We are really pleased to have the film selected to be featured in a film festival by a group with no vested interest in social nudity. It shows the increasingly broad recognition of the value of body confidence. Explaining why we participate in naturism and the huge potential for psychological and societal benefit will hopefully result in naturism having a positive impact on a much wider audience.’
 
Bare With Me
UK | Natasha Coleman & Stephen Noble | 7 min
What’s happened to nakedness? For those that seek out social nudity in their day to day lives, nakedness breaks down barriers, gives back choice and builds a trusting community where naked is normal.
Find out more and buy tickets 
@EastEndFilmFest @natashajcoleman @stephenforshort
 

How to talk about Naturism

It’s not always easy is it? People often have their own ideas about it before you open your mouth and you’re never sure how they are going to take the news that you’re a Naturist yourself. Then there are the awkward questions. You’d love to just tell them how it makes you feel but they interrupt with statements that throw you off balance...
Perhaps this article will help. You can download a handy PDF version of it here. It includes a number of useful things to say to help you answer the awkward, misguided, irrelevant questions, and overcome objections and misunderstandings. The more we all say the same things, the stronger our collective voice becomes. It’s what we want to say in all situations with all kinds of people – friends, family, neighbours, work-colleagues, even the media and authorities.
We’re often our own worst enemies, assuming others don’t want to talk about Naturism, but experience shows that’s not the case with many people reporting good reactions and genuine interest – and often being told about nude experiences in return! We hear Naturists all the time saying they don’t want to cause ‘offence’ - we must stop using that word. People might be surprised, a little shocked, confused, unsure what do to or say if they unexpectedly see a naked person, but not offended.
Finally, it’s good to show how sensitive and socially-aware we are. The law makes it possible for us to be nude anywhere, anytime. We don’t generally exercise that right, as we understand the sensitivities and are nice, normal, trustworthy, considerate members of a wider society.
Oh, and you don’t have to decide to be some sort of freedom-fighter or evangelist, it’s all about ordinary, everyday conversation.
Go for it...and tell us how you got on
Naturism is normal
We’re ordinary people choosing not to wear clothes when the weather and circumstances are appropriate. Other than being nude, our activities are no different from what most people do in their leisure time. We’re not anti-clothes, we just know they are not always essential. It’s also a lot of fun!
If we were supposed to be naked, we’d have been born that way...
...and yet now anyone wanting to be in that natural state is treated with at best, mild amusement and at worst, suspicion. Being naked isn’t obscene, provocative, ridiculous, eccentric, shameful, immodest, weird, rude, disgusting, perverted etc. In fact...
Naturism is good for you
Naturism promotes positive body image. There is no such thing as the perfect body and we’re all unique. Physical health is improved with the benefits of sunshine and fresh air, which we don’t get enough of; and mental health benefits from relaxation, de-stressing and a friendly, comfortable community spirit. Most sunbathers wear very little more than we do. Swimsuits are pointless – why get dressed to get wet? It has wider benefits too – teenage pregnancy rates appear to be lower in countries with a more relaxed attitude to nudity. Research published in 2017 confirms what we’ve all known for years - Naturism boosts self-esteem, happiness and life satisfaction.
Naturism is not illegal
There is no offence of nudity in English law but there are badly defined offences which may be used and abused for just about anything that somebody in authority dislikes. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 specifically excludes Naturism, though intending to upset or cause harm by being naked may well be a criminal offence. Fundamentally the law is a mess but the practice of Naturism is legal in a much wider range of circumstances than many people assume.
Naturism is not about sex
Naturist people have sex like anyone else but despite what people imagine, a gathering of naked people doesn’t make for a sexually charged environment. Think of a nude beach as closer to the checkout queue in Tesco than a page three photo shoot.
Naturism is not embarrassing
Once in a Naturist place, you soon get used to being surrounded by naked people and forget that nobody is wearing clothes. It’s clothed people that stand out. What you look like is irrelevant. No-one stares at you, or judges your appearance – it’s all about feeling good for yourself. It’s liberating not to have to conform. Nudity is usually only mandatory when swimming and people will put something on if the weather turns.
Naturism is very popular
Millions of people around the world have discovered this wonderful way of life. BN’s IPSOS- MORI survey discovered that there are 3.7 million Naturists in the UK. There are thousands of holiday resorts and other places to go to. Plenty of ‘non-Naturist’ people in the UK have skinny-dipped, go topless on beaches and spend time happily naked at home.
Children in Naturism are happy, well-adjusted and safe
Children don’t care if they are wearing clothes or not, it’s adults who make them get dressed. They grow up with a better understanding of what people really look like and enjoy a relaxed, outdoor life. Families can do something together that they all enjoy and children are always accompanied by a parent or guardian. Naturist places tend to have entry requirements and secure gates, making the inside a far safer environment than the outside. Many adult Naturists today grew up in Naturist families and now bring their own families up within it.
 
Photo by Pierre BEST on Unsplash

Skin Deep - a clothing optional presentation

Following the success of the performance of Hair! to a naked audience, we are pleased to bring you another opportunity to be part of a clothes-optional theatre event, at Stockwell Playhouse, London SW8.
For one performance only –  the audience are welcome to dress or undress as they please. This will be a ‘clothing optional’ performance in celebration of the naked form.
Come as you are!  Fully dressed, partially dressed or completely naked – you choose.
Skin Deep is a musical all about self-image, body confidence, bullying, marketing, cosmetic surgery, inner demons, shopping for clothes, size’ism, self-worth, diets, weight, exercise. Song and dance sketches – comedy but with an underlying poignant message!
Who hasn’t tried a lifestyle change, or attempted some potentially harmful technique in order to “improve” when in reality they’re already beautifully unique and wonderful? Who really acknowledges their inner beauty already outshines the naked surface?
Our boys in the show lead up to their famous naked finale where they feel empowered to strip off to celebrate their body confidence. It’s the Full Monty, but the lights stay on for just that little bit longer! 
Find out more including how to book your tickets here - discount for BN members!

Two steps forward for Naturism; one step back for Clubs…or is it?

Roni asks, ‘Could highlighting foreign travel be proving detrimental to our clubs or are Naturists ruining it for themselves?’
There appears to be a rumbling and a grumbling on the Naturist grapevine that too much focus is put onto BN events and foreign destinations and not enough said about the various clubs dotted around the country that, some say, are the back bone of the whole movement. I think it’s true that the clubs were the foundation of Naturism in Great Britain and if it weren’t for them, Naturism, as we know it today, would not exist, but have the clubs developed over the years or stagnated and are they passed over by people wanting more than a camping trip in the school holidays?
 There!  That’s set the cat amongst the pigeons!
Young Naturists started communities back in the '60s when it was all very avant-garde, exciting to be doing something different and a little daring. The club I attend was one of those: they bought land and set up camp with nothing more than a generator in a shed for a kettle and light but as time went by they installed all the present day amenities that we take for granted. They never had the luxury of a water or electric supply let alone toilets, showers or a heated swimming pool. Who would now join a club without all of that? We have a lot to thank them for!
 The enthusiastic pioneers were happy to talk about Naturism and share their delights of freedom and then it all changed. Many clubs had members who didn’t want the world to know what they were doing or even where they were doing it. They appeared to hide away behind tall fences and hedges and left outsiders wondering what they got up to in their secretive world. I appreciate they thought they had valid reason but it didn’t help Naturism become acceptable. I also understand how some lost their enthusiasm for further development, as they had worked hard to achieve their goal and why shouldn’t they sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labours?
 Package holidays started and airlines flew relatively cheaply to Spain so those who were fed up with the changeable British weather, looked further afield for their annual holiday. As foreign travel became more prolific, businesses sprang up to cater for us.
Given the choice of setting up a Naturist holiday complex would you choose a site by the North Sea or the Mediterranean?  So the hotter climes have developed faster and been more favoured than ours.
 I understand how this would affect attendance at our clubs but after a fortnight in Spain, what did they do with the children for the rest of the school holidays?
So why did numbers fall?  Was it just that they expected more for their money and wanted entertainment rather than just a sunny day and a game of cricket?
The clubs that had thought they could continue with the minimum of change weren’t attracting sufficient numbers to keep going and I’ve seen many changed to textile caravan parks to get the income needed for the business to survive. The successful clubs are generally the ones owned by the club itself as they don’t need huge profits, just a steady income to cover costs.
When I started as a Public Relations Officer I realised, to increase membership, we needed to catch the public's interest, explaining who we were, what we did and more importantly, why! Unfortunately people had let their imagination run wild and they conjured up pictures of naked people cavorting around the woods and could only connect nudity with sexual intention. It’s taken us years to rid ourselves of these old rumours and explain it’s actually a non-sexual, family orientated, safe and friendly environment.
I'm afraid club life has not always had a brilliant reputation and some are put off joining as they had found, or heard, that clubs can be very cliquey. Likewise young adults aren’t keen on belonging to places that they think are full of old people, restricted by stuffy rules. We all know some are needed so that people know the boundaries but sometimes the basic reason for which the club exists, to enjoy the simple freedom of social nudity, can be swallowed up by bureaucracy. These groups of Naturists are more likely to attend BN events without having to join a club and get involved with the internal politics. This means clubs have to work hard at showcasing themselves as brilliant places to belong to.
Just as I thought we were getting the public to accept Naturism, clubs have been brought to my attention that are actually shying away from it! I know, isn’t that madness?! 
There’s more than one club that obviously wants to be a ‘Sunbathing Club’ as they consider that is the only time nudity is acceptable.  There's increasing numbers that want to ban nudity in the evenings. The worrying part of this is their obvious discomfort with the naked body after a certain time of day. I don't understand that - where do Naturists get the idea that nudity is only a day time activity? I was under the impression that Naturism is a lifestyle not a part-time hobby.
It’s this sort of attitude that will kill a club as the majority join to undress whenever they can and where else would they think it was safe and understood, than within a Naturist club?
It seems that dining naked is frowned upon in many a club or resort. Surely a Naturist, perfectly at ease with nudity on the beach or in the pool, could dine alongside naked people? It seems not! Would a clothes optional ruling help?  Probably not as what actually happens is that more Naturists cover up than would have done so if left to their own devices. Supplying an option seems to make them feel it's perhaps wrong to be naked after all.
Have you read the recent article that has sprung up on Facebook and websites, about ladies wearing sarongs at a French Naturist resort? They said they felt uncomfortable when other women were covered and they also felt more feminine and attractive when wearing pretty colours. I've always advocated naturism is all about the feel good factor not a fashion show. It even had a further  knock on effect when men felt obliged to wear shorts. Naturists are falling like dominoes in a row.
Personally I consider the practise simply requires sufficient warmth to be comfortable and a suitable place, not the local pub garden for instance! It's something we should all want to be doing whatever time of day it is but far too many Naturists now think otherwise.
Clubs also need to be more welcoming to one and all. There’s always been a negative attitude to “single men” joining a club and I think it is an unfounded worry that they might be unsuitable.  Whilst some Naturist events and beaches that are open to the public might attract what we commonly refer to as the “meerkats” who want to be voyeurs, the vast majority of men are ordinary, decent people who are single, married, divorced or widowed and joining alone does not make them an instant threat to our community and it’s insulting to suspect otherwise as well as being against equality laws! We should all be judged on our actions not on a misguided assumption because, let's face it, single women are never turned away!
I have always recommended clubs as the starting place for new people especially if they are a bit nervous but with increasing negative outlook to nudity and too many rules, it is no wonder that many do not feel welcome or find the relaxed atmosphere they seek.
Clubs generally need to attract new members to keep the club in existence as they constantly need volunteers to carry out the maintenance and admin required to keep running costs to the minimum. The more the members can do, the less subscriptions need rise each year.
To reach the people who were yet to discover the wonders of social nudity, I used many of the local, free publications, full of local interest and adverts, that are popped through letter boxes and left in public places. I wrote articles for magazines and got interviewed for national and local press and spoke on local radio stations. I just took every opportunity to get the word out there!
By constantly updating our facilities, giving people what they were looking for, we were able to attract new interest and encourage people to give naturism a thought when they hadn’t done so before. No longer was it basic camping but a place with a clubhouse holding discos and live music, a kitchen providing meals, a heated outdoor pool, a sauna, children’s play area and their own clubhouse, communal barbeque and all the sports we associate with Naturist communities, even a crazy-golf course!
Wi-Fi  became an essential part of club life as in any other place as there are ever increasing numbers of smart phones and tablets that come attached to their owners so that they can communicate not only with their friends, but people across the internet universe. What wider audience can you get than that? So we enhanced our website as many people find us that way and set up a Facebook page to showcase our club and get people interacting and learning about us.  A group of members belong to a closed group on there and share light hearted banter, as well as keeping in touch with club news.
Naturism has leapt forward in the last 14 years that I’ve known it which is down to BN and individuals campaigning to get a mention in local and national newspapers, on radio and television and in any publication that shows an interest. We have hugely changed people's perception and they are no longer looking for a giggle at nudity, at our expense, but show a keen interest in our chosen lifestyle. It is now completely acceptable for such places as Alton Towers to dedicate a weekend to us and of course there are beach days, open gardens, Nudefest and clubs and spas, countrywide.
The World Naked Bike Ride, though not strictly a Naturist event - it began as a protest to the overuse of oil and cars - is well attended and has highlighted the growing acceptance of the naked body, as has the Great British Skinny Dip. I’ve often met people who enjoy a daring, skinny dip on holiday but deny being a Naturist! That’s okay; they’ll find their way to us in time.
People now know what Naturism is about and there are lots, like myself, who will happily talk about it and remove the myths of what those “crazy, naked people” actually do, though it might be a bit of a let-down when they find we just do all the normal things, minus clothes when it’s warm enough!
So who thinks BN concentrate too much on foreign holiday destinations and don’t do enough for the British part of the movement? BN likes to cover news of Naturist events and destinations everywhere so the magazine may seem biased at times but BN can only report on those who choose to present themselves and will happily feature them both in the magazine and on the website.
For those clubs wanting to promote themselves, but not sure how to go about it, remember that BN offers a variety of opportunities:
 •  You can list your club in the BN magazine with 150 words and an image which can be changed every issue if you wish.
•  Advertising space involves payment but it would in any publication and this way it is targeting existing naturists looking for places to go.
•  You can have a page on the BN website with a pin in the UK map and list your events on the website calendar.
•  If you have an interesting event that is newsworthy, send a report for the magazine.
•  There are resources for internal newsletters or websites, including articles and pictures.
•  If you need help with press releases they will support you in any way they can.
Every Naturist event is important to us all as the publicity, however small, builds the greater picture to showcase Naturism as a normal, ordinary thing to undertake, especially when it involves families and all ages from all backgrounds. People are always interested in a lifestyle they have heard of but never dared try and it all helps to encourage someone new to give it a go.
So to all the clubs out there; get in touch with BN or your Regional people and get yourselves on the map along with all those foreign, sunny places.  Speak up about what you have to offer and reach out to people to make them want to come and benefit from your Naturist facilities. Even those who are not keen on change need to understand some is inevitable in order for their club or business to survive the years ahead.  See it as an investment in the future so that you, your family and theirs, can all benefit from the hard work that goes into forming and maintaining a thriving Naturist business.  It would be a tremendous waste of everyone's work and dreams to let it drift into disuse and sacrilege to let it be turned textile to pay the bills.
There is a need for Naturism in Great Britain, alongside places throughout the world.
 
Picture: Peter Braddock

Skiing in Paradise

James reports on our most recent group holiday from a fully Naturist hotel in Ramsau, Austria
‘Ski in Paradise’ say the billboards at the Schladming-Dachstein ski-lifts, 15 minutes’ drive from our hotel in Ramsau, a big centre for cross-country ski-ing as well as downhill ski-ing, and also an excellent centre for walking.
Our hotel, the Landhaus Lührmann, was fully Naturist for our March 2018 week, as Chalfont Holidays had taken sole occupancy. ‘So it really is naturist this year,’ I say to Andrew Welch, who in his guise as Chalfont rep meets us naked at the front door. (I had enjoyed the inaugural Chalfont ski holiday to Spain in 2017, but only the spa was naturist, and then only late in the evening).
This year we undress on arrival and spend all our time at the hotel in the nude, including breakfast and dinner. The hotel’s spa and garden are Naturist all year round but not the rest of the hotel. We only dress for the ski-ing itself. The hotel is super, owned by Naturist Hansmartin, run also by his son Hans-Georg whose grandmother is chef and cooks excellent three course dinners. Nothing is too much trouble for them, and the same applies to Andrew and Sheryn who cater for our every whim including various collection times and places from the slopes using a large hired mini-bus. The hotel spa has a swimming pool, an 8-person wooden sauna, a 2-person infra-red sauna, a steam room, hot stone benches to relax on and so on.
The Schladming downhill ski area is large with runs suitable for different abilities. Here is a flavour of the trip from my diary:
Saturday – my friend Bob late at Luton but at least didn’t miss plane this year. In car from Salzburg lady taxi driver peeved that we are chatting and nearly missing amazing castle and Austrian mountain views on way to hotel. Arrive, undress, then at 5pm off to hire ski equipment in Kulm, buy lift passes, visit local shop for beer and wine. Quiz after delicious stew at hotel, our team have to do second quiz with one hand behind our backs to give the other team a chance…
Sunday and Monday (and the next four days in my case) – full day’s ski. John goes cross-country ski-ing, others try the glacier, bridge and ice caves at Dachstein.
Tuesday – Malcolm gets bruised on the slopes and has Wednesday off. One of our party is a GP and diagnoses him in front of us all, and as we are all nude we see progress of bruise colour over rest of week. After dinner, wonderful complimentary wine-tasting with owner Hansmartin down in creepy 700-bottle brick cellar, where we put on some clothes as chilly. For helping him pronounce ‘phylloxera’ Hansmartin offers me to stay on in cellar. I refuse, saying this has good and bad points…
Wednesday – all (except unsociable spa-fanatic me) off to local traditional Austrian restaurant with dancing and something called the ‘hat-dance’
Thursday – Andrew takes short cut to furthest peak lifts, inadvertently driving along sunken cycle track, impossible to turn until end. Not sure if deported from Austria yet. Abandon one of party attempting to do four peaks challenge as he mislaid poles on chairlift. Boasting that I never fall, I do so for only time in week on steep black run. Malcolm fails to come to my aid and just videos me for later blackmail attempt. Decide to take local bus back to town but overtaking car crashes into us and the police arrive. After calming dinner, guided night walk from hotel.
Friday – Sleigh rides with schnapps for some. Bob guides us to same mountain bar for fourth time to chat to Polish barmaid Flora. Forced to drink disgusting sour apple, coconut and also pumpkin seed liqueurs.
Saturday – Sheryn leads aquaerobics in pool, then we catch our transfer to Salzburg airport and sadly home. Sign up immediately for next year before it gets booked up (well, I will when announced…which I am reliably informed will be soon…)
James (Oxnat)
BN Members can view a selection of images from this trip over on the BN forum gallery

New nude spa night at Harrogate Turkish Baths

We’re delighted to have been advised of a new venture in Harrogate. Eden Spa is run by Mike Robertson who will be taking over the iconic Harrogate Turkish Baths for an evening in May, with more sessions to come later in the year.
It’s always good to see new places for social nudity and we’re pleased to support them.
Mike says:
'Eden Spa is a business that runs events at select spa facilities to provide our guests with an opportunity to enjoy the spa experience as they would at an authentic German spa such as Vabali in Berlin. 
Our concept is to offer high-end spa facilities to those people who might shy away from the 'traditional naturist lifestyle' but would like to experience for the first time or continue to enjoy public bathing textile-free. To this end, we have agreed with Harrogate Borough Council to use the Harrogate Turkish Baths. Our policy is to insist on our clients respecting that whilst the spa areas including the jacuzzi are textile-free, robes and footwear must be worn in the rest areas, corridors and in the cafe for refreshments. This is out of respect for the staff that belong to the baths, and also to give a sense of comfort to a new generation who might only be used to continental spas where this is the expected etiquette. 
We will be fully-inclusive, with no barriers to gender or sexuality. Our events will be mixed gender, with no restrictions on single people. We will, however, have a no-tolerance policy for those clients engaging in overt public displays of affection or making others feel uncomfortable through inappropriate sexual behaviour or conversation.
https://edenspaexperience.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edenspa.experience/
Find out more on the BN calendar page: http://www.bn.org.uk/community/calendar/event/4107-eden-spa-and-massage/ 
 

Skinny Dip Venues Wanted!

Those people who are lucky enough to have experienced skinny-dipping know that it’s so much better than swimming with a costume on!
But that’s where the problem lies.
The very thing that makes it better is also the thing that puts most people off!
That’s where our national initiative, The Great British Skinny Dip comes in, Now in it’s third year, the aim is to overcome the nudity barrier by raising awareness of all the health, well-being and body-positivity benefits of nudity, and especially social nudity. Of course, we don’t expect everyone to participate in nude activities as a result but we will be educating, busting the myths and changing all those decades-long attitudes that suggest that nudity is somehow not ok  for normal people. We are fortunate to have discovered something wonderful that everyone can benefit from – and we want people to understand that.
Some people will want to give it a go and so we are encouraging venues to provide the opportunity for that to happen. To allow people to experience it for themselves and to realise that despite what conventional thought says, find out that being naked with others is fun, liberating, relaxing and can boost your self-esteem.
It follows that all venues must be open and welcoming. We must carry people through their experience and make it as easy as possible for them when they may feel out of their comfort zone and even vulnerable. The only ‘rule’ therefore to enable it to work is that everyone turning up at a venue is to be admitted unless there is a common sense reason not to. A detailed description of what this means is available on request.
Some groups or venues may choose to pair with a charity and raise money for a good cause. That’s good because it gives the charity something different to engage their fund-raisers with and provides an excuse for people to participate. We understand that pre-registration is usually asked for by charities, but just make sure that you also give a warm welcome to anyone turning up at the venue on the day.
We need as many venues as possible and we want your suggestions! This is a national campaign that we can all get involved in and support. Plenty of resources and information will be available but could YOU think about where it could take place in your area?
What kind of venues are we looking for?
Anywhere you can swim safely. Skinny-dipping is well-known to be fun, exhilarating and spontaneous – just the themes we want to promote. Outdoor or wild locations are perfect so let’s include lakes and tarns, rivers, open-air lidos, and beaches. Nothing wrong with indoor locations – and sometimes with the British weather they can be preferable – so we want to include swimming pools in leisure centres, waterparks, and municipal and school pools. We might gain a number of new venues and locations regularly used for Naturism. Existing Naturist locations like clubs and swims are also obvious places for people to give it a try – and can be a way for them to find new members.
How will the events be organised?
It depends on the location. Public venues such as lakes, beaches or rivers just need someone to coordinate a gathering. Private locations such as leisure centres can be hired by an individual or group – or even be persuaded to host their own. There is information available with ideas and sample words for correspondence but don’t hesitate to simply ask managers/staff face to face.
When is it happening?
Throughout September 2018. (#Septembare). Any date is fine. Venues can put on more than one if they like or select an adverse-weather fall back date.
The Great British Skinny Dip website
Run your own Skinny Dip
Help for hosts and host venues
Contact: skinnydip@greatbritishskinnydip.co.uk

Account

Navigation

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.