UK's official naturist group sees boost in membership for first time in 15 years

Nudists practice yoga in the inaugural Parisian Day of Naturism near Paris
Nudists practice yoga in the inaugural Parisian Day of Naturism near Paris Credit: REUTERS 

The UK's official naturist organisation has seen a boost in membership for the first time in 15 years after hosting public bare all events designed to make nude lifestyles more mainstream.

British Naturism reported this week its representatives had swelled by nearly 10 per cent this year, with the increase partly credited to a shift in approach away from behind-closed-doors functions to public outings including trips to restaurants, theatres and galleries.

Naked yoga and running classes was also said to have helped encourage newcomers to the movement as well as outdoor festivals such as Nudefest and Nudestock.

Andrew Welch, British Naturism's commercial manager, claimed prudish attitudes towards nudity were evaporating while businesses have become increasingly open to hosting their own bare all events. 

He said: "At the moment we are around 8,900 members, so last year we were around 8,300 members.  This is the first time our membership has been rising for the last 15 years.  

‘‘There is a much less of a taboo when it comes to naturism.  In the past if you told people you were a naturist there would be raised eyebrows, but now people are much more aware of what it is.  

‘‘Historically people have viewed us with circumspection ‘who are these people walking around with their bits out’.

‘‘We have been finding that now the taboo has gone we can go out. We’ve found that when we book out restaurants the staff want to join in with us.

"We have even appointed an events manager with the intention of having more gatherings.’’

Mr Welch said the group now hopes to capitalise on its growing ranks, also helped by Britain's heatwave summer, by expanding its programme of activities and pursuits.

He said: ‘‘We are working on things, we will be having outdoor camping events, we will be holding Nudefest and we will be taking over a hotel for a whole weekend.  You take your clothes off when you arrive and don’t have to put them back on until you leave.’’

Mr Welch said the move to embrace events attracting mass crowds had been pivotal in the group's sudden surge in popularity.

Last year British Naturism held its first NKD Festival, a clothes-free camping weekend aimed at younger people and families, in Dorset, which featured live entertainment in woodland surroundings.  

‘‘I have no doubt that the outdoor events have boosted our membership.  Our activities mean that anyone can participate.  It’s meant that we are more open, it’s not just about sunbathing anymore there are a lot of things going on,’’ Mr Welch added.

However, despite the group's contention that naturism is becoming more accepted, those celebrating the human form do still at times face hostility.

Earlier this year, Tate Britain was accused of unfairly discriminating against nudists after visitors from Eastbourne, East Sussex, attempted to arrange a tour to view the All Too Human show, which featured works by Lucien Freud and Francis Bacon Former computer analyst Philip Baker claimed he and fellow naturists had been 'stonewalled' by the London gallery after it did not respond to his repeated requests to set up a special visit.

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