English law operates on the premise that you are free to do anything which is not specifically prohibited, but you have to take the consequences of your actions.
Nudity in a public place is not, of itself, an offence in English law.
This statement may seem surprising to many people, but it has always been so - and remains the case despite the introduction of a new offence of "Exposure" in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which makes a simple law more complex.
If you are in the habit of sunbathing without clothes on a quiet stretch of beach, one with a history of such activity, or a designated nudist beach then you are probably within the law.
On the other hand, if you attempt to walk naked down your local high street you will, within a few minutes, feel the heavy hand of the law on your naked shoulder..simply not 'socially acceptable' Interpretation of the law can vary widely in different parts of the country, so apply common sense to your chosen recreational activity.
The word naturism was first used in 1778 by a Belgian, Jean Baptiste Luc Planchon and was advocated as a means of improving the 'natural lifestyle and health in harmony with nature', expressed through social nudity. Social nudity is nudism in a social context, either at one's home with friends or with acquaintances at a nudist event or facility, such as a naturist club, community center, resort, or private facility. Facilities for naturists are classified in various ways.
A 'landed' or members' naturist club is a privately owned facility, at a specific location, while non-landed clubs meetings are held at many consenting locations, such as private residences, swimming pools, hot springs, landed clubs and resorts.
There are many aspects to recreational nudism, nudists who simply enjoy the freedom of a nude life style, naturists, have deeply held beliefs and see communal nudity as just one of many important principles along with chosen lifestyle.
There appears to be a widely held belief in these communities, that the public view of naturism is very ill-informed and distorted and as such is often associated with some form of eroticism, whereas nothing could be further from the truth, a bare body being no less natural to them than the majority who choose to cover and dress it up. Many feel it would be more acceptable these days to being gay than to admit to being a naturist. Why should all not be equally acceptable?
On anecdotal evidence it seems that a lot more people than you would expect have tried skinny-dipping and nude sun-bathing and enjoyed the experience, but probably for this reason, do not then extrapolate to make the connection with naturism - which they still consider to be a marginal and slightly kinky activity.
Social conditioning extends a heavy hand when it comes to 'fringe elements' of society, there is a way to go before we achieve the idyll of 'allowing to be' if it harms no-one, then why not?
Nudity in a public place is not, of itself, an offence in English law.
This statement may seem surprising to many people, but it has always been so - and remains the case despite the introduction of a new offence of "Exposure" in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 which makes a simple law more complex.
If you are in the habit of sunbathing without clothes on a quiet stretch of beach, one with a history of such activity, or a designated nudist beach then you are probably within the law.
On the other hand, if you attempt to walk naked down your local high street you will, within a few minutes, feel the heavy hand of the law on your naked shoulder..simply not 'socially acceptable' Interpretation of the law can vary widely in different parts of the country, so apply common sense to your chosen recreational activity.
The word naturism was first used in 1778 by a Belgian, Jean Baptiste Luc Planchon and was advocated as a means of improving the 'natural lifestyle and health in harmony with nature', expressed through social nudity. Social nudity is nudism in a social context, either at one's home with friends or with acquaintances at a nudist event or facility, such as a naturist club, community center, resort, or private facility. Facilities for naturists are classified in various ways.
A 'landed' or members' naturist club is a privately owned facility, at a specific location, while non-landed clubs meetings are held at many consenting locations, such as private residences, swimming pools, hot springs, landed clubs and resorts.
There are many aspects to recreational nudism, nudists who simply enjoy the freedom of a nude life style, naturists, have deeply held beliefs and see communal nudity as just one of many important principles along with chosen lifestyle.
There appears to be a widely held belief in these communities, that the public view of naturism is very ill-informed and distorted and as such is often associated with some form of eroticism, whereas nothing could be further from the truth, a bare body being no less natural to them than the majority who choose to cover and dress it up. Many feel it would be more acceptable these days to being gay than to admit to being a naturist. Why should all not be equally acceptable?
On anecdotal evidence it seems that a lot more people than you would expect have tried skinny-dipping and nude sun-bathing and enjoyed the experience, but probably for this reason, do not then extrapolate to make the connection with naturism - which they still consider to be a marginal and slightly kinky activity.
Social conditioning extends a heavy hand when it comes to 'fringe elements' of society, there is a way to go before we achieve the idyll of 'allowing to be' if it harms no-one, then why not?
Jay Rose is the editor of http://www.TentGo.com, an information resource about camping, hiking,backpacking and everything Outdoors UK. Find Naturist Campsites at http://www.tentgo.com/naturist-camps.html
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