Eastern Region Naturist Walking Events 2020

BN Eastern Region Naturist Walks 2020

Enjoy walking? Then why not join in some of our naturist walks in the Beds-Bucks-Herts Borders area in the coming months:

Wilstone, Hertfordshire, on Friday 20 March 2020, 1.00pm to 5.00pm. The walk is on flat terrain, starting at the village Wilstone and walking along sections of the Grand Union Canal (Aylesbury Arm) towards Aylesbury. We then turn away from the Canal returning through tree covered footpaths and open countryside towards Long Marston and then south to Wilstone. Distance 8 miles.

Tring, Hertfordshire, on Friday 24 April 2020, 12.30pm to 4.00pm. The walk has a couple of fairly steep inclines near the beginning of the route while the remainder of the route is mainly flat passing through several woods and open countryside. The circular route follows part of The Ridgeway before branching off across open fields and woodland to join the Chiltern Way and then through High Scrubs before heading back to the start point. Distance 9 miles. The start/finish point is accessible by train to Tring Station on the London Euston to Milton Keynes Central line with pre-arranged pick up from the station to the start.

Aston Abbotts, Buckinghamshire, on Friday 15 May 2020, 12.30pm to 5.30pm. The walk is mainly flat with some low level hills passing through grassland, agricultural fields and open countryside. The circular route follows a network of public footpaths through part of the Vale of Aylesbury before heading back to the start point across more open countryside. Distance 9 miles.

North Marston, Buckinghamshire, on Sunday 21 June 2020 (World Naked Hiking Day) 1.00pm to 5.30pm. The walk is mainly flat, with some low to moderate hills, passing through grassland, agricultural fields and open countryside, with stunning views of Aylesbury Vale, the Chilterns and North Buckinghamshire from the top of Quainton Hill. Although the hill is long, with a good path, it is not too steep. The circular route follows a network of public footpaths including Matthew’s Way, Midshires Way, Swan’s Way and the North Buckinghamshire Way before heading back to the start point across open countryside. Distance 7 miles.

Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire, on Friday 17 July 2020, 12.30pm to 4.30pm. The walk is mainly through open country and some woodland, along mostly flat terrain with some slight to moderate hills. The circular route starts near the village of Great Missenden and follows a network of public footpaths through the Misbourne Valley and parts of the Chiltern Hills. Distance 8 miles. The start/finish point is accessible by train to Great Missenden Station on the Chiltern Line (London Marylebone to Aylesbury Vale Parkway via Amersham) with pre-arranged pick up from the station

These events are being organised through British Naturism Eastern Region in association with the Milton Keynes Naturist Meet and Greet Group. They are open to all members of British Naturism and other (walking) groups; anyone new to naturism, or naturist walking is welcome too. For further information, or to book onto any of these walks, please contact John Gelder, Walks Coordinator, via email: easternwalks@bn.org.uk or send a personal message via BN Members’ website, giving your name, email address, mobile phone number and membership status. Details of the meeting point and other information will be provided when your booking is confirmed.

Why naked walks?

Many people enjoy walking, whether by themselves, with friends or family. Its lovely to see the wonderful countryside and enjoy the open and natural environment. It’s also good for our health! As naturists, perhaps you’ve had the thought of doing it naked? If so, it can be quite a challenge to have the confidence to do it by yourself. Joining a naturist group walk removes some of those concerns and enables you to enjoy the social nudity associated with a naturist walk, in a safe environment with others. We provide all walkers with information on what to expect and are happy to answer your questions. One of the questions often asked is have we ever encountered any difficulties with members of the public who don’t agree with what we are doing? No, never! We do cover up in certain circumstances and have the back-up of the recent College of Policing Guidance that confirms it is perfectly legal for naturists to be naked in public. Naturism is a wonderful lifestyle – you wouldn’t be reading this if you thought otherwise – but we all need to do what we can to promote and encourage the normalisation and acceptance of public nudity by others and naked walking is one way of doing this. It may even encourage others or give them the confidence to join us! See you on one of our forthcoming walks!

Thinking of organising your own naturist group walk?

If you have experience of planning local walks through open countryside; perhaps for yourself, family or friends; have you ever thought it would be good to organise one for naturists? Perhaps you have but never got around to it or were unsure how to approach it, then why not join us on one of our planned walks or a recce? You will have the opportunity to see how we organise them, talk to the walk leader and walk coordinator, and of course those attending the walk. Now is the perfect time to be planning your walks for the new year. John Gelder, BN Eastern Region Walks Coordinator, is very happy to talk with BN Members in the region who would like to organise local naturist walks. He can provide information, advice and guidance to prospective walk leaders/coordinators and sign off walks on behalf of the BN Eastern Region. This is to ensure that walks undertaken in the name of BN meet some basic criteria to ensure they are safe and comply with BN’s public liability insurance requirements. John can be contacted via email: easternwalks@bn.org.uk or through a personal message on the BN Members’ website. Why not plan a walk for World Naked Hiking Day, held annually on the 21 June, the day of the summer solstice? A day when outdoor enthusiasts everywhere celebrate the longest day of the year in their birthday suit.

Article by John Gelder