Many would think of the UK as a nation of prudes, but the country has a growing nudist movement, and it’s quickly gaining popularity.
More and more people are swapping their swimsuits for the freedom of being completely au naturel on the beach – and it’s not as controversial as you might think.
In fact, as many as 7 million people in the UK are part of the nudist community, flocking to beaches and coastal towns to sunbathe, swim, and take scenic walks without a stitch of clothing on.
Public nudity in the UK isn’t actually illegal – though it’s a bit of a grey area. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 states you are permitted to strip off, as long as there is proof you have no intention to ‘harass, alarm or distress’ others.
It’s a far cry from the Victorian era, when public nudity was considered obscene in the UK, and if you wanted to take a dip in the sea, you had to change in a ‘bathing machine’ – a little hut on wheels to help you avoid showing too much skin.
But things started to change in 1979 when Brighton opened its first nudist beach, marking the beginning of a new era of freedom for the community.
Over the years, councils and conservative groups have tried to clamp down on public nudity, but despite the pushback, all UK beaches can be used by topless sunbathers, plus designated nudist beaches across England, Wales and Scotland continue to thrive.
Curious to see where you can join the movement? Keep reading to discover some of the best nudist beaches in the UK.
Many would think of the UK as a nation of prudes, but the country has a growing nudist movement, and it’s quickly gaining popularity (pictured: naturists at Holkham Beach, Norfolk)
East of England
Corton Beach
This formerly official beach, also known as Gunton Sands, was first designated in 1979, can be found in the very north of Suffolk, about two miles to the north of Lowestoft.
Although the beach is no longer designated specifically for naturist use, by-laws do not prohibit nude sun-bathing.
Holkham Beach
One of the most unspoilt stretches of golden sand in the country, Holkham beach is part of Holkham National Nature Reserve and located in North Norfolk, near Wells-next-the-Sea. The beach is generally regarded as a premier nude beach.
St Osyth
St Osyth has been a nudist beach for decades and is well-known on the Essex coast.
Pictured: Naturist on Holkham nudist beach, Holkham, Norfolk, Britain
Pictured: Naturist beach sign Holkham nudist beach, Holkham, Norfolk, Britain
It’s reported to be parted into three sections by the dunes – one for families, one for gay men and one for swingers.
North East
Aberlady Beach
Located in East Lothian, near Edinburgh, nude bathers tend to stay toward the northeast end of the beach.
The beach is set to host the Sunset Skinny Dip at Aberlady Bay, which is to take place on Saturday 31 May.
Ross Back Sands
The beach, based in Northumberland, is considered the northernmost nude beach in England, with sand dunes and hallows to allow for privacy.
There are no official signs to indicate its status as a nudist beach, but it’s generally accepted that the north end of the beach is used by naturists
Pictured: Nudists take part in the annual North East Skinny Dip at sunrise at Druridge Bay, near Ashington, Northumberland
North West
Ardeer Beach
Ardeer lies at the head of the Ardeer peninsula, of Stevenston in North Ayrshire, and is home to the only ‘official’ naturist beach on the south west Scottish mainland.
St Anne’s
Located at North Beach, St Anne’s, Lancashire, south of Blackpool, this beach is used by both textile visitors and naturists without any known problems.
South East
Abbot’s Cliff
Located within the White Cliffs of Dover, Abbot’s Cliff is not officially a nudist beach, but is has long been frequented by naturists.
Atherfield Point
A sand and shingle beach located near Newport in Isle of Wight, Atherfield Point is well known for being a nude beach.
Pictured: Female naturist on Holkham beach in Norfolk Holkham nudist beach, Holkham, Norfolk, Britain, 1999
Birling Gap
Part of the world-famous Seven Sisters chalk cliffs in East Sussex, nudists are encouraged to turn right at Birling Gap and walk west about 500 yards to reach the start of the traditional nude area.
Blackgang Beach
Blackgang, located in the Isle of Wight, is freely visited by nude bathers, but attendance is low due to access challenges.
Brighton East Beach
The renowned naturist beach can be found at the eastern end of the main Brighton beach – around a 1 mile walk east of Brighton Pier towards Brighton Marina.
Browndown Point
An area of the Solent that lies between Portsmouth and Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, the middle part of the beach is frequented by a small number of nudists.
Pictured: Nudists take part in the North East Skinny Dip at Druridge Bay in Northumberland, at sunrise on September 22, 2012
Calshot Beach
Located in Hampshire, Calshot has often been cited as a nudist beach – though its private owners (Manor of Cadland) threatened to take legal action against anyone stripping off back in 2012.
Church Norton
A shingle beach located near Chichester in West Sussex, Church Norton is a quiet spot often frequented by naturists.
Culver Beach aka Yaverland
An unofficial nudist beach in Isle of Wight, Hampshire, the naturist section is at the far end of Yaverland beach, beyond the red cliffs.
East End Beach
Located in Hampshire, the area is popular with walkers and birdwatchers and doesn’t offer a great deal of opportunity for naturist activity.
Fairlight Glen
The naturist beach at Fairlight Glen lies on the coast between Hastings to the west and the town of Rye to the east.
Leysdown East
This ‘official’ naturist beach can be found near Leysdown-on-Sea at the far eastern end of the Isle of Sheppey on the north Kent coast.
Meon Shore
The beach is situated on a quiet stretch of coastline on the Solent, near Fareham in Hampshire, and has long been known to be frequented by naturists.
Milford on Sea (Taddiford Gap)
At Taddiford Gap, the section of the beach used by nudists is around half a mile from the access point, towards the Barton-on-Sea.
Park Shore
Based in Hampshire, naturists are encouraged to use discretion and to respect this quiet National Nature Reserve and private beach.
South West
Pictured: Naturists stopping off to enjoy the crystal waters of Pednevounder near Porthcurno
Braunton Burrows aka Saunton Sands
The beach at Saunton Sands lies seven miles west of the north Devon town of Barnstaple, with nudists generally seen relaxing toward the southern end.
Budleigh Salterton (West End)
Budleigh Salterton is a small and quiet seaside town between Exmouth and Sidmouth, and the nudist beach can be found at the western end.
Cows Beach
A long beach with both sandy and stone areas, south facing, visitors report having to ‘trek’ to reach the nudist area, a ‘great place for a clothing-optional experience’.
Gunwalloe Cove
A sand and pebble beach located near Helston in Cornwall, Gunwalloe Cove also serves as a nudist beach, with naturists known to frequent the area.
Hengistbury Head
The beach by the headland cliffs traditionally used by naturists is a popular walking route from the car park to Mudeford Sandbank with its beach huts and cafe.
Moor Sands
Located in South Devon, Moor Sands is pebble and shingle beach popular with naturists.
Pedn Vounder Beach
A tidal beach on the south coast of the Penwith Peninsula in Cornwall, England, Pedn Vounder is a nudist beach but is often frequented by a mix of naked and dressed people.
Perran Beach
A large, sandy beach backed by sand dunes, naturism is now allowed on the beach, but not in the dunes.
Petitor
Petitor is traditionally tolerated nudist beach located on the northern outskirts of Torquay, near St. Marychurch Golf Club.
Porthmeor
The rugged West Cornwall coastline lends itself perfectly to hiding little coves and rocks perfect for naturist sunbathing at Porthmeor.
Porthzennor Cove
A rocky beach located near St Ives in Cornwall, Porthzennor Cove is not known to be a designated nudist beach, though it’s popular with adventurous swimmers and naturists.
Ringstead Bay
Located on the coast of Dorset, the Naturist area at Ringstead Bay is a good twenty minute walk east from the entrance to the beach along a stone beach.
Scabbacombe
The east side of the beach is often frequented by nudists, who have reported to have felt ‘comfortable enough to walk down to sea and swim multiple times’.
Slapton Sands
Set on a beautiful part of the South Devon coast, this long-established and popular naturist beach is located near Strete, south of Dartmouth.
Studland Bay
One of the best known official naturist beaches in Britain, Studland Bay, specifically Knoll Beach, is a popular destination for those seeking a relaxed experience.
The Strangles
Recognised by locals as a naturist beach, The Strangles is a small rock-bounded cove on the rugged coastline of Cornwall.
Vault Beach aka Bow Beach
Located on the south coast of Cornwall, the beach is unofficially recognised as a nudist beach and can be popular during the summer.
Wadham Rocks
A secluded, quiet, sandy cove surrounded by low vertical cliffs, Wadham Rocks is known unofficially as a nudist beach.
Weston Mouth
Weston Mouth is an isolated beach on the East Devon coast between Sidmouth and Seaton, and its tradition of nude use is well-known locally.
Wild Pear Beach
A beautiful, quiet beach located along the north coast of Devon, Wild Pear Beach is naturist friendly.
Pictured: Nudists take part in the annual North East Skinny Dip as the sun rises at Druridge Bay in Northumberland, northeast England on September 22, 2013
Yorkshire and the Humber
Druridge Bay
The stretch of beach running south of the Chevington Burn towards the National Trust land is privately owned, but has been used as an unofficial nudist beach.
Wales
Bantam Bay
An isolated bay South of Pwlldu Point, it provides a secluded and private space for naturists not overlooked by the coast path.
Cefn Sidan aka Pembrey Beach and Walk
Backed by dunes the trees of Pembrey Forest, this beach has been described as a stunning location for nude sun and sea bathing – though nudists have warned it’s a two-mile round trip to get to the naturist section.
Kenfig Burrows aka Sker Beach
Though not an official nude beach, Kenfig Burrows (aka ‘Sker’ beach) is among the most popular beaches in Wales for naturists.
Lavernock
Lavernock is known to a number of locals as ‘the nudist beach,’ but it does not seem to be well used as such by naturists.
Marros Beach and Walk and Telpyn Beach
A large and sandy beach leading to a gentle sea, naturist use is from this point eastwards from Telpyn Point for about two miles.
Monknash and Wick
The part of the beach normally used by naturists is the flat rocks at the north-western end, nearest Wick.
Morfa Dyffryn
The nudist section of the beach is accessed via a long walk south from the popular Shell Island Campsite or a shorter walk north from Dyffryn Seaside Estate.
Newborough
Located in Anglesey, Newborough is not a traditional ‘official naturist’ beach, but has been popular with naturists for decades.
Rhossili Bay
This popular beach is often busy with textiles, but it’s said it’s a ‘great place to be naked’ if naturists head to the quieter parts.
Traeth Bach (Little Beach)
Located on the Wales Coast Path between Penbryn and Llangrannog, Traeth is popular nudist beach.
Whiteford Sands
Relatively inaccessible, Whiteford is an extensive, quiet and secluded beach, perfect for naturists.
Pictured: Nudists in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2003
Scotland
Balmedie beach
A large expansive sandy beach, stretching for miles, Balmedie’s naturist section is located around the firing range, a short walk from the Country Park’s car park.
Cleat’s Shore
Cleat’s Shore is an official naturist beach, located near Lagg on the south west tip of the Isle of Arran.
Crakaig Beach
Despite some initial publicity, it does not seem that this beach has ever drawn a significant number of nudists, though the naturist part of the beach is to the west of Lothbeg Point – from the river mouth and up to the rocky outcrop near the point.
Kinshaldy Beach, Tentsmuir Forest
Although nudity has been reported on both ends of the beach, nude bathing occurs mostly on the south end, toward the mouth of the River Eden.
Lower Largo Beach
A strictly private beach, Lower Largo can be found walking to the beach from the cap park, and, after turning east, the naturist section can been seen in the middle at the old salmon nets.
Ostel Bay, Cowal Peninsula
This beautiful, secluded beach is normally very quiet and the local police are aware that on occasion naturists may use it, but there have generally been no issues.
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