BN Guide to Naturism : simplebooklet.com

04 05 WHAT IS NATURISM N aturism is the practice of going without clothes It s good for you our bodies were not designed to be wrapped up in clothes all the time and subjected to artificial heat light and air conditioning Millions of normal people have discovered how good it feels to have the sun and breeze on their skin and feel better more relaxed less self conscious and de stressed as a result Poor body image is improved when you realise that almost no one has a perfect body It s very sociable Naturists are happy friendly people who treat everyone with respect and as equals It takes no time to forget you are naked and that others are too It s not sexually stimulating Naturists do what you see anywhere else only without clothes No one is forced to undress and can easily experience Naturism even if they are not sure if it is for them and then get involved at their own pace When the weather cools we get dressed Naturist places usually have indoor and outdoor facilities and many are open all year round Naturism is for everyone from babes in arms children and teenagers right up to the elderly Background age shape race creed and colour are irrelevant ALL THAT S DIFFERENT IS THE DRESS CODE

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06 07 What a year it promises ABOUT BRITISH NATURISM to be for Naturist events With a new festival and old favourites short breaks in the UK and overseas rural retreats group holidays regional days and nights out and a variety of exhilarating waterpark events you won t have time to put your clothes on Turn the page for all the details of our 2020 events B ritish Naturism BN is the internationally recognised UK national Naturist organisation We exist to unite and support Naturists to protect and provide more Naturist venues to make social nudity acceptable in the UK and to provide comprehensive information on Naturism and Naturists around the world We run events in brilliant locations help new groups and Naturist venues to get off the ground liaise with and challenge government and other authorities overcome misunderstanding prejudice and discrimination via the Media support individuals in trouble and places under threat provide a point of contact for information and advice and in our campaigning work hard against the ever changing environment that throws up new threats even for Naturism in private places We are the UK member of the International Naturist Federation INF which has similar purposes to ours but operates across the world bn org uk inf fni org If an event shows the above icon please visit www bnevents co uk to book online For all other events please see the calendar listings at www bn org uk calendar

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08 09 FREEDOM FESTIVAL 22nd 25th May Lewes East Sussex Freedom has been created as a celebration of the human body in esh in mind and in spirit A 100 positive and accepting space where like minded folk can come together and share a weekend of great entertainment and unique people Freedom is a body positive clothing optional festival packed with live entertainment including comedy live music drama and arts www freedomfest co uk NUDEFEST 6th 13th July Thorney Lakes Somerset The biggest festival in the Naturist calendar is back Nudefest returns to the cider groves of Somerset for a week long party packed full of entertainment live music sports and some fabulous excursions Last year was a sell out and we expect it will do the same early booking is essential www nudefest co uk

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10 11 NKD NOW 4 DAYS 27th 31st August NKD returns in a new dateline the bank holiday weekend at the end of August NKD is the family and youth event for British Naturism it has quickly become a permanent xture on the Naturist calendar but you don t need to be a seasoned Naturist to enjoy it Now in its third year the festival has already encouraged plenty of families and young people to explore Naturism for the rst time This unique clothes free festival is held at a site in Dorset a beautiful location surrounded by woodland open elds and wildlife It s the perfect place to leave the outside world behind meet like minded people and have loads of fun www nkdfest co uk ALTON TOWERS 20th 22nd November Following a record sell out year we are pleased to announce we will be returning to Splash Landings at Alton Towers in 2020 It s a weekend for all the family the theme is Under the Sea Plans are already afoot to bring you more excellent live bands and experiences at the biggest Naturist party weekend of the year

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12 13 AMSTERDAM SPA BREAK 27th 30th March 18th 21st September Following two successful trips to Amsterdam in 2019 we re returning twice in 2020 Three nights at Zuiver a large worldclass spa hotel on the outskirts of scenic Amsterdam Your break includes accommodation breakfast welcome meal robes and three days of luxurious spa WINDERMERE RETREAT 24th 26th July Our Woodland Retreat returns to Fell Foot Wood A calm and relaxed weekend of woodland crafts fell walking skinny dipping and amazing music BLACKPOOL 28th February 2nd March Following a great weekend of fun in 2019 we head back to both The Headlands Hotel and The Colwyn for another three night break Featuring live entertainment every night a wonderful line up of daytime entertainment and our annual trip to the Blackpool Sandcastle Waterpark what is not to like It will be another sell out weekend and with a few Leap Year surprises in store too THE GATHERING Dunoon 1st 10th May The Gathering 2020 SANER region s 8th annual international Naturist event goes MonuMENTAL Due to the change in the May bank holiday we have negotiated a 9 night option Don t worry there are 3 night and 6 night options available too The Gathering is always a sell out event so make sure you get your reservation in nice and early Book now direct with The Glenmorag Hotel on 44 01369 702227

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16 17 Regional Club Days Naked Dining Art galleries Naked Bowling Events NAKED SOCIALS Garden Days Wildlife Parks Swims Adventure Hikes Canal Boat Trips SPORTS EVENTS There s plenty going on Find the full list at www bn org uk calendar Weekend Breaks Naked Walks Singles Weekends Camping Trips Family Meet ups Festivals P tanque Competitons Museum Visits Skinny Dips Body Positive Beach Days River Boat Trips Naked Heart Walk Dare to bare all to help beat heartbreak forever 20 June 2020 at 7pm at Painshill Park Surrey Ladies Days Join us on a 2km or 5km naked sponsored walk around the beautiful 18th century landscaped gardens of Painshill Park this summer solstice Registration from 6pm with BBQ and refreshments available after the walk Adults 20 18yrs only Pledge to raise 100 to help fund life saving research Hosted on behalf of the British Heart Foundation by our East Sussex Coastal Fundraising Group and kindly supported by Painshill Park and British Naturism Find out more and sign up at www bnevents co uk BHF bhf org uk British Heart Foundation is registered charity in England and Wales 225971 and in Scotland SCO39426

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18 19 I n addition to all the fabulous events available the UK has in excess of 100 Naturist clubs and swims Well established over many decades a large number have celebrated 70th 80th and even 90th birthdays they provide an excellent escape from the stresses and strains of daily life for their members and visitors Clubs Swims Where to go in the UK Sometimes called sun clubs they are all around the country Some have their own land others hire local swimming pools or leisure centres for weekly or monthly sessions Clubs with land will usually have well tended grounds centred around a club house with facilities such as a swimming pool sports facilities sauna children s play area camping holiday accommodation and social events Beaches Because there is no law against nudity in public it follows that every beach in the UK is a Naturist beach However some places have a long history of nude bathing and are sought after and busy spots for Naturists British Naturism and Naturists have worked closely with landowners or local authorities to ensure they are safe places for everyone Find details of all UK Naturist places at bn org uk activities placestogo BN MEMBERS Holidays 2020 Overseas holidays are one of the most popular activities for the British Naturist There is a huge variety of places to go worldwide and variety too in the types of holidays you can take There is lots of information adverts and links on our website Fancy travelling with a group of like minded people We run a full programme of Members Holidays working alongside holiday specialist and main BN sponsor Chalfont Holidays to bring you memorable holidays and the comfort and protection offered by a tour operator How to book The team at Chalfont Holidays are on hand to answer questions and help you book your BN Member Holiday Please contact the team on 01753 740176 or email reservations chalfontholidays co uk Monte Marina Fuerteventura 18 25 March El Port s Spain 18 25 April Naturist Angel Club Rhodes 09 19 May Croatian Cruise 13 20 June Tropica Corsica 11 18 July Lanzarote 01 11 September El Port s Spain 26 September 3rd October

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20 21 Naturist FAQs Nobody wants to see me naked Actually no one is looking at your body in fact newbies tend to avoid looking as if their lives depend on it This is about YOU as a person which is not defined by what you look like because that s the point Naturism is one of the best ways to become more confident Equally you should never be ashamed to let people know how confident you are about yourself What we do is safe legal and healthy there is no need to confess to enjoying naturism Naturism instils the true values of body acceptance and shows us that nakedness is nothing to be ashamed of and is in the truest sense natural Won t I get arrested No not at all Naturism is perfectly legal and the law is on your side We have worked extensively with the college of policing to make sure that the police are very aware of the law around Naturism Body conscious Being nude with others is not embarrassing First timers often remark how quickly they feel comfortable wearing nothing and seeing others unclothed in fact it s easy to forget that everyone is naked and just because they are doesn t make for a sexually charged atmosphere either I ve never tried Naturism before That s not a problem We understand that your visit to an event could be your first Naturist experience There is no pressure to undress so it s a great way to try Many people have been apprehensive undressing on their first time but once they ve done it wonder what the big problem was in the first place Photography As you can see from the images in this brochure photography is an essential part of showing what a great time we have In general you are not permitted to take photos in public spaces and you must always obtain the permission of anyone who appears in a photo We have official BN photographers at some of our larger events You will only be in images if you give us permission What about when I have my period You are not alone and there are several ways to make your Naturist experience more comfortable Ultimately it is down to personal preference some ladies preferring to wear bottoms others just using products Either way it s about your personal comfort You won t be judged Standing out as a male The most frequently asked question posed by men Honestly it very rarely happens a Naturist environment is not one that is sexually charged If nature does take its course then take a break sit down and relax ultimately be discreet Sex Yeah you read that right If you think you are coming to some weird seedy place then think again wholesome family fun and a zerotolerance rule for any funny business NATURISM IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO BECOME MORE CONFIDENT

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22 23 BECOME A MEMBER NOT A MEMBER WHY NOT JOIN BRITISH NATURISM Easy access to information and advice that will help you to practice Naturism Four issues of our full colour information packed magazine with news and views from the UK and overseas delivered to your door and available to download and read online Access to the BN Members Online Community The opportunity to save 25 on the ticket price of events some are also for members only Overseas group holidays for members only The BN Holiday advice service THE GREAT BRITISH SKINNY DIP The Great British Skinny Dip or GBSD is an outreach project from British Naturism which aims to Raise awareness of the health and well being benefits of spending time naked and Provide welcoming and easy opportunities to give swimming without a costume a try 2020 will be GBSD s fifth year and we are expecting the number of venues and dippers to increase once again Anywhere that it is safe to swim can be included In 2019 we promoted dips that ranged from an exhilarating wild swim in the Lake District s Beacon Tarn beaches rivers outdoor lidos Naturist clubs and campsites to the more comfortable waters of a local swimming pool We were also delighted to welcome venues that had never hosted costume free sessions one of them was so successful they organised another Skinny dipping sessions can take place at any time and we will list them all year round but the project will gain a focus in July 2020 when many events take place and there is heavy media attention Recommend a venue Please contact us if you know of a suitable venue We particularly want to hear from owners or managers of venues that want to reach a new audience and take advantage of the free publicity that hosting such an event will bring www greatbritishskinnydip co uk skinnydip greatbritishskinnydip co uk A photo ID membership card proven to be useful in establishing your credentials with Authority gures if ever your Naturist activities are challenged It is also an International Naturist Federation INF card essential for access to some overseas Naturist places and discounts in others Discounts from certain Naturist holiday companies and other providers The bene ts of feeling part of a vibrant community with opportunities to connect with like minded people Knowing that you are helping to support the practice of Naturism so that it continues to thrive NEW MEMBER FEES FOR 2020 Couples Couples over 65 Couples over 80 Single person Single person over 65 Single person over 80 Student in full time education proof required RENEWAL FEES FOR 2020 67 64 57 45 43 37 27 11 Couples 63 Couples over 65 60 Couples over 80 53 Single person 41 Single person over 65 39 Single person over 80 33 Student in full time education proof required 23 JOIN AT WWW BN ORG UK SS H LE NT S MO ST A O C 4 IT N A TH

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24 25 Health Well being Want a great life Then get naked D espite taboos and social conditioning spending time naked especially with others brings benefits People report improvements in physical mental and emotional health a boost in self esteem and self worth the ability to cope better with stress and overcome body image issues Science even proved recently that social nudity boosts self esteem happiness and life satisfaction There s not much that you do with clothes that you can t do without Here s a few ideas for naked activities that you can get involved with Swimming It hardly needs mentioning it s a staple of the Naturist world and there are thousands of opportunities across the country each year Walking What could be better than a healthy ramble in the countryside and if boots are all you are wearing it s even better various groups organise walks for all in idyllic locations Yoga Naked yoga teachers and there are many nowadays say that the necessary focus on the self and awareness of the body and its rhythms means that practicing yoga with clothes on can actually prevent it from being done properly Naked yoga is gaining in popularity and there are many classes at BN events and public venues Running It s cool these days to get fit with a regular jog and there s no cooler way to do it than without the usual sweaty kit on At least three 5K competitions are held each year Cycling Whilst the pace may be slow riders cover a large distance during the many naked urban cycle rides under the umbrella of the World Naked Bike Ride It s unbelievable fun and a great event for first timers If that s not enough you will also find aqua aerobics t ai chi water polo pilates nude ercise naked exercise classes miniten our own version of tennis p tanque and volleyball

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26 After a lifetime of brainwashing by sanitised airbrushed images of perfection it is such a tonic to find yourself surrounded by other people with lumps bumps and scars Alice O Keefe in The Guardian 27 The fact that people had removed their clothes also seemed to mean that they had removed any judgements insecurities and barriers to interacting with others Lili WOMEN in Naturism Encouraging more women into Naturism and BN M ore men attend events visit beaches and Naturist holiday resorts making it appear that Naturism appeals more to men than women but it s not necessarily the case Naturism may appeal to a similar number of women but for their own reasons they are reluctant to embrace the lifestyle The aim of this campaign is to find those reasons and answer the concerns The women who do try Naturism are often more passionate about it and it appears that it changes their lives more deeply than their male counterparts Many women also say that they were introduced to Naturism by a husband or boyfriend and were hesitant but now can t imagine life without it and believe it to be good for the entire family Naturism has done wonders for the self confidence of many women and they enjoy being a part of this safe welcoming non judgemental community having discovered the freedom and pleasure of simple nudity It can result in a fantastic social life too We organise gatherings for women help women to speak about Naturism in the media encourage Naturist women to bring friends to events or clubs and participate in women s groups on and offline to spread the word Find more resources and volunteer to help on our website at bn org uk women Donna Women in Naturism Co ordinator donna price bn org uk I m definitely feeling fabulous being naked at 50 Jane

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28 29 Families T here are thousands of Naturist families some into many generations who find that they get on better with each other through their shared experience and openness Children brought up in Naturism often say how they grew up without the usual hang ups about their bodies and carry on when they reach adulthood With children so often engrossed in computer games or mobile phones giving them access to fresh air and healthy activity becomes even more important Naturism also gives children the opportunity to grow up with a realistic In a world where body positivity and respect are so often lacking I am keen to show my children a different way a better way Duncan knowledge of what human bodies look like Children who are brought up by Naturist parents mostly have greater body confidence and feel much less shame about their bodies compared to their constantly clothed peers Naturist swims have no need to segregate males and females in changing rooms what s the point so families can stay together and children can be well supervised Meeting up with other families at a club or event will help your children feel that there are plenty of other children like them and once they have made Naturist friends are more likely to want to visit Naturist places to be with them A number of clubs organise family weeks during the summer holidays where activities are specifically designed to appeal to younger people Naturist families frequently report that the family values of respect inclusivity and friendship and the knowledge that their children are in a safe environment are important factors in ensuring that they continue to be part of the Naturist community www bn org uk families Naturism has shaped me as a person I ve made one of my best friends met incredible people and visited fabulous places Grateful does not even begin to describe how I feel about being part of this world It s something that I wish to take into adulthood and pass on to my children Mel 16 years old Encouraging more young people to enjoy Naturism Young British Naturism YBN represents British Naturism members aged between 18 and 35 YBN allows you the opportunity to enjoy the freedom from your clothes in a safe friendly and welcoming environment while having fun meeting new people and exploring Naturist venues and events all over the UK and overseas Why didn t I join sooner Our members come from all backgrounds and walks of life some grew up with Naturist parents and for others YBN is their first Naturist experience YBN is here to support and provide a space for younger people in what often can be seen as an older generation s lifestyle choice in reality there is a thriving community of young Naturists and a new generation who are very open and accepting of social nudity Joining YBN was the best thing I ever did I wish everyone could try it Those in our age group often think they are unusual in enjoying being nude but love discovering they are part of a wide global community of like minded people We are all also constantly bombarded by the media and social media about attaining the perfect body YBN are champions of body positivity To find out more about Young British Naturism and how to get involved please go to our website ybn org uk YBN is great fun We ve travelled to loads of new places home and abroad met loads of people and made some great friends

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30 CAMPAIGNING The Road to Freedom A 31 s the representative body of Naturism in the UK British Naturism has a responsibility to promote and protect Naturism Over the last few years there have been advances that affect our daily lives Owing to our hard work the law is clear that nudity is not itself criminal if there is no sexual context or intent to cause alarm or distress This is confirmed in Crown Prosecution Service guidance which has been recognised by the College of Policing So the law is firmly on our side but problems occasionally arise when people don t know the law or because they are surprised by Naturism because it is encountered infrequently Those who participate in free hiking can testify that although nearly all public encounters are positive a small handful of people still react negatively and aggressively The media tells us that there are still police responses to some reports of a naked walker or cyclist and external threats to Naturist swims that we have encountered demonstrates that some people still worry about Naturism simply due to misunderstanding the facts Therefore there are visible opportunities to advance the status of Naturism and we must remain vigilant to protect the rights and freedoms we currently enjoy British Naturism have assembled a Campaigns Task Force to explore both the needs and opportunities for action We need political or defensive campaigning to maintain pressure on the government and councils to protect how Naturism is regarded by the law and those who administer it We also need promotional or positive campaigning to normalise Naturism in the public eye Our high profile work with the media does this as do visible events which are a strong tool for persuading the public that Naturism is not just a respectable life it is a great life It also gives people a chance to try it for themselves Our research work with leading academics has built our credibility and led to promotional benefits Email campaigns bn org uk www bn org uk campaigns www bn org uk policing

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32 33 COMMUNITY One of the greatest things about British Naturism is the community it builds For some that means relaxing in the sun with friends going to events chatting online with other Naturists For others it means getting hands on as a volunteer British Naturism can be what you want to be BN is a volunteer led organisation and thrives on the support given by our team of volunteers There are some great opportunities to make a difference at both a regional and national level A NATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR LIKE MINDED PEOPLE GET INVOLVED What makes naturists different Any social Naturist will know how open and accepting the community is With everyone on equal grounds and without fear of being judged they can accept themselves for who they are

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34 35 BRITISH NATURISM An organisation with a long tradition leading the way and moving with the times Did you know that we have appointed the British Heart Foundation to be our Charity of the Year for 2020 and will work with them on a variety of fund raising and mutually profile raising events that BN membership is on the rise We have close to 9000 members and recruit over 1100 new members a year that we ve created a Campaigns Task Force a Families Officer and Women in Naturism co ordinator to improve our work in those areas that we worked with the College of Policing to make sure every officer knows that public nudity is not illegal that we broke the Guinness World Record for the most naked people on a rollercoaster in 2019 that The Great British Skinny Dip is now a year round campaign that we produce an 80 page full colour fully illustrated magazine for members four times a year that we handle two or three media requests a week Recent highlights include a centre spread in The Sun about Nudefest coverage of the record breaking naked rollercoaster ride and 18 BBC radio interviews in one day that we are the go to place in the UK for news and information advice and knowledge about Naturism and the Naturist world that we produce downloadable portable legal guides

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BN Guide to Naturism

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