A visit to an art gallery can be a good opportunity to see famous nudes, or one or two impressive busts.
But lovers of the Old Masters would have gained a very different insight if they had visited a museum that offered a very special and unique private tour.
The institution in question had opened its doors to a group of 65 naked history buffs while welcoming a group of British naturists.
And the naked aesthetes offered surprising insights into art and their unusual way of life.
Fiona Discombe, a long-time nudist, is pictured with her husband Mike. She explained that although some people attend nudist events hoping to take part in a sex-filled orgy, they are often left disappointed with the reality.
MailOnline spoke to Ms Discombe and her husband Mike ahead of the UK’s first nude museum evening
The evening, organised by Dorset Museum, saw more than 60 nudists come from far and wide to stroll around the gallery, champagne in hand and without any clothes on.
Ms Discombe stressed that British Naturism (BN), which organises nudist events across the UK, has a strict zero-tolerance policy when it comes to undesirables and even has its own set of unspoken rules.
A nudist woman has revealed the biggest misconception about naturism and why many people get dressed and leave nudist gatherings after just ten minutes.
Fiona Discombe, 55, a long-time naturist, said that while some people attend nude events hoping to take part in a sex-charged orgy, they are often disappointed by the reality.
MailOnline spoke to Ms Discombe and her husband Mike, 52, ahead of the UK’s first ever Naked Museum Night in the hope of getting a glimpse of the event in full swing and finding out more about why they choose to be naked.
The evening, organised by Dorset Museum, brought together more than 60 nudists from all over to stroll around the gallery, champagne in hand and without any clothes on.
Mrs Discombe, a carer from Devizes, Wiltshire, has enjoyed the outdoors for 30 years with her husband, Mike, but is often frustrated by the myths surrounding naturism.
Mrs Discombe told MailOnline: “Generally speaking, when people come in with the wrong idea, they think it’s going to be a big sex orgy and after ten minutes they go home.”
She told MailOnline: “Generally speaking, when people come in with the wrong idea, they think it’s going to be a big sex orgy and after ten minutes they go home.”
She added: “I think people think that if you’re a naturist, you’d just go to a sex party or something. As a woman, that’s what I feel like people think of me. It’s not like that at all, so I can dispel that myth completely.
“We’re not all weird. We’re just normal people doing stuff without clothes, actually.”
Ms Discombe also stressed that British Naturism (BN), which organises nudist events across the UK, has a strict zero-tolerance policy when it comes to undesirables and even has its own set of unspoken rules.
‘Obviously, they stand out very quickly for their behavior. So, you can actually just turn around and say, “Your behavior is not appropriate, this is not the point, you can leave me alone.”
“If things get out of hand, obviously you have to find someone to get you out of that situation.”
Every official BN meeting has a designated team of protection officers who also participate in the event and who quickly show the door to anyone suspected of being there for the wrong reasons.
Ms Discombe also gave some important advice on proper etiquette when attending a nude gathering.
“When you talk to someone, you always look them in the eyes. You don’t look at their breasts or their genitals or anything like that. And you should sit on a towel or something,” she said.
Every official BN meeting has a designated team of protection officers who also participate in the event and who quickly show the door to anyone suspected of being there for the wrong reasons.
Ms Discombe’s husband Mike, who is also a nudist and accompanied her to the nude evening, was looking forward to the event and exploring the exhibition with “like-minded people”.
Claire Dixon, the museum’s director, told MailOnline: “The benefit for us is that it really allows us to show that we are open to everyone. There are lots of different ways to visit, enjoy and use the museum, and I hope it’s a good idea.”
Ms Dixon admitted that when BN approached her and asked her to host the event, she was initially taken aback by the “unusual” request.
Dorset Museum and Art Gallery in Dorchester last night hosted the UK’s first nude exhibition, giving visitors a rare chance to see its artefacts completely naked.
Claire Dixon, the chief executive, admitted that when BN approached her and asked her to host the event, she was initially taken aback by the “unusual” request and accepted their offer.
She told MailOnline: “The benefit for us is that it really allows us to show that we are targeting everyone. There are lots of different ways to visit, enjoy and use the museum, and I hope it’s a good idea.”
Ms Dixon added that the museum has been “struggling” and has been “overwhelmed” by people coming forward with new ideas and ways to generate more revenue.
Ms Discombe’s husband Mike, who is also a nudist and accompanied her to the nude evening, was looking forward to the event and exploring the exhibition with “like-minded people”.
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