Nudists have revealed the one item naturists must carry when attending events and the biggest misconception people make.
Attendees at the UK’s first ever museum exhibition of nudes, organised by Dorset Museum in Dorchester, told MailOnline what to do and what not to do when socialising in the nude.
Organised by British Naturism, this special occasion saw over 60 nudists strip off and wander around an art exhibition whilst chatting politely with a glass of champagne in hand.
Speaking ahead of the event, naturist Neil said: ‘I suppose there are quirky little rules about what to do and what not to do that might appeal to some people.
“If I’m going to visit someone’s house and it’s a nudist house, I always bring a towel to sit on. Things like that. It’s an unspoken rule.”
Long-time naturist Fiona Discombe is pictured here with her husband Mike at the first UK exhibition for nudists organised by Dorset Museum and British Naturism.
MailOnline spoke to Ms Discombe and her husband Mike, pictured, as well as other naturists ahead of the UK’s first ever nude museum night.
The evening saw over 60 nudists arrive from all over 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.
And this is not the only crucial information that those who wish to participate in an event need to know.
Richard, who has been a nudist since 1974, explained that a common misconception about naturist gatherings is that they have a “sexual agenda.”
He said: “They think it’s all sex. People automatically assume that. It’s the first thing that comes to mind.”
“They only get naked when they’re bathing or showering or having sex. They say, ‘Oh, I’m not bathing or showering, so it must be sex,’ but it’s not.”
Fellow nudist Keith, 74, was keen to add his opinion on the innocent reason why he and his friends like to strip off.
“People say, ‘Well, what does it feel like to be naked?’ And it’s very difficult to explain. The English language is not enough to explain it,” he added.
“But once you try it, you know what it’s like. It’s like trying to describe the feeling of anger. It’s hard to explain how you feel. But if you’ve ever been angry, you know what it feels like.”
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.”
Keith’s wife Melanie, 73, chimed in with an important comment: “You know, we all look different, whatever shape we are. But it doesn’t matter. Because you’re talking about the person inside, not how they look.”
Fiona Discombe, a 55-year-old naturist who has been practising the sport for a long time, said that although 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.
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, 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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