Inside Nudefest – the biggest naturist festival in the UK, where a cracking time is guaranteed

It’s Saturday afternoon. I’m sitting with a pint of (local, British) beer in a wide, flat field.

There are lines at the various food stalls, tables outside the beer tent where there is animated conversation, piano music sounds from the dodecahedron music stage the Magic Teapot, groups of people listen attentively to the lectures in tents, creations are made from willow branches under expert guidance, there is a sauna and hot tub for those in need of relaxation, others choose to lounge on huge cushions under meager canvas structures, a gong bath meditation session at the Zen tent, a horse-drawn cart that circles the perimeter packed with people riding the movement of the grass wobbles and the showground is filled with a mass of bodies forming a human mandala, while a drone flies into the sky to capture the choreographed image.

It’s just like any other summer festival, except most people are naked.

Welcome to Nudefest.

British Naturism’s annual event, which I organize, started in 2007 at a caravan and camping park in Cornwall. Seeing the value of the ‘buff pound’ at a time of year when capacity was not at capacity, the owners provided guests with a place to stay while they enjoyed a nude night at the world famous Eden Project (yes, that Eden Project). There were a few activities, including a nightly disco – if you’ve never experienced the euphoria of dancing without clothes on, add it to your bucket list – and Nudefest was born.

Nowadays it takes place in Somerset on a sprawling campsite with up to 700 people enjoying a week in the (fingers-crossed) sun. Guests come from all over the UK and overseas.

What is Nudefest and what can you expect? It’s quite a revelation to newcomers to social nudity that it’s just like any other outdoor summer event.

Nothing happens that you don’t see in thousands of places across the country, and perhaps even around the world.

When it is warm enough, people take off their clothes. That is different of course, but it creates an incredibly relaxed, happy and positive atmosphere.

Because guests are part of the same like-minded community, there is a sense of belonging and mutual understanding – and the knowledge that we all chose to be there just to have a great time.

Venue owners, vendors and artists often say we are the best audience they deal with.

It’s (almost) impossible to run out of things to do.

There are activities throughout the day including crafts, workshops and talks, guided food gathering walks, yoga, fitness and meditation sessions, sports and games activities (including a run around the grounds every morning and a volleyball match every afternoon) , massage sessions, wood-fired saunas and hot tubs, figure drawing (no shortage of models), circus performances, visits to local cider farms and a nude walk in honor of World Nude Walking Day, a Holi paint fight and a 25 meter long slide to discover the child within.

There are plenty of opportunities to simply do nothing, sunbathe on the grass, chill with friends or people watch.

BN’s charity partner, British Heart Foundation, set up a stall and spoke to guests about their excellent, necessary work. ITV’s Lorraine show with presenter Lucie Cave was broadcast live one morning, interviewing some of our ladies.

Lorraine Kelly’s version of the studio was disappointingly clichéd, but you can’t argue (pardon the pun) with the lighting.

It’s not a music festival, but there is definitely music (or maybe you should say ‘loud’) with live music every night. There are bands playing classic songs from the 60s, 90s and 2000s, pop songs from all decades at the request of dueling pianos, swinging sailor songs from the energetic, multinational Old Time Sailors, a fantastic ABBA tribute band and the Last Orders Pub Party with a from our own bands.

The music also included a ‘disco’ ceilidh, karaoke, pop quizzes and Nudefest favourites the Magic Teapot (they always look forward to taking their own clothes off) where tea and music are available from early until late – don’t just listen, join in!

We were also treated to a wide range of acoustic music from talented artists – some guests, some coming especially to perform – including singer-songwriter Anna, in her first Nudefest and the first time she performed naked.

“I thought this was the right time to do that,” she told me, “and I will absolutely do it again!” We laughed our heads off (wait a minute…) at Comedy Night with television’s masters of jokes, including Laura Lexx and Javier Jarquin, who received a standing ovation before they spoke a single word and stepped onto the stage with complete shrillness.

People who have never been often ask if it is essential to be naked.

That’s the general idea, but no. The British weather often dictates this and due to cloudless days the temperature was cool in the evenings.

By the time you strut your stuff on the dance floor, you’ve probably already taken it off, just like all the groovers around you. Weird? No, context is everything, and the presence of people still wearing some clothes is neither important nor noticeable.

Do as you choose.

The most important thing is that you have fun.

Over the years there has been an increase in partial or full exposure of flesh by non-guests – behind the bar or food stall, by band members and other performers. There is no ‘them and us’, if people are inspired, why not, even when they are working?

It’s easy to assume that being naked for a whole week is the main attraction, but I’ve spoken to many guests and not one mentioned it as the reason they were there.

Jeremy told me: ‘I love Nudefest because of the chance to meet old friends and make new ones.’ Richard ‘likes how well organised it is, with fantastic events.’ Charley has been going for three years and finds ‘it really inclusive, people feel safe here.’ Fiona loves ‘the freedom and the company.’

Once a guest, Anthony had a new perspective on working/making music in the Magic Teapot and ‘caught up with people’. He added: ‘It’s very social and accepting, but also respectful.’

Steve has only been a naturist for two years and said: ‘It’s a social leveler and you meet all kinds of people – and the highlight is you get to share it with my wife.’

Geoff was more philosophical: ‘You can talk to anyone without fear of prejudice. Here you run much less risk of upsetting someone with a different view, you are simply appreciated for your love of life.’

Andrew Welch is a spokesperson for British Naturism. Nudefest returns in July 2025, but British Naturism (bn.org.uk) organizes a variety of events throughout the year, both indoors and outdoors.