It’s a Saturday lunchtime. I’m sitting with a pint of beer (local, British) in a wide, flat field.
There are lines at the various food stalls, bench tables outside the beer tent filled with lively chatter, piano music emanating from the dodecahedron-shaped music venue that is the Magic Teapot, groups listening intently to the chatter at the tables. tents, creations that are made, under the instruction of experts, from willow branches, a sauna and jacuzzi area that offers something to those who need some downtime, others who choose the option of resting on huge cushions under scant canvas structures, a gong bath meditation session next to the zen tent, a horse-drawn cart traveling the perimeter filled with people swaying with the movement as they navigate the lawn, and the fairgrounds filled with a mass of bodies that create a human mandala, a drone rising into the sky to capture the choreographed image.
It’s like any other summer festival, except most people are naked.
Welcome to Nudefest.
The annual British Naturism event, which I created, started in 2007 at a caravan and camping park in Cornwall. The owners saw the value of the ‘pound of profit’ at a time of year when there wasn’t full capacity and provided guests with somewhere to stay whilst enjoying 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 exhilaration of dancing without clothes on then add that to your bucket list) and Nudefest was born.
Andrew Welch, a spokesman for British naturism, attended this year’s Nudefest (above) in Somerset, an event he founded in 2007.
Today, it takes place in Somerset, on a sprawling campsite with up to 700 people enjoying a week in the sun (fingers crossed). Guests also come from across the UK and abroad.
So what is Nudefest and what can you expect? It’s quite a revelation for newcomers to social nudity that it’s like any other outdoor summer event.
There is nothing that happens that is not seen in thousands of places around the country, or even the world.
If it’s warm enough, people do without their clothes (which is different, I admit), but it creates an incredibly relaxed, happy and body-positive atmosphere.
Because guests are part of the same like-minded community, there is a feeling of togetherness and mutual understanding, and the knowledge that we have all chosen to be there simply to have a good time.
So what is Nudefest and what can you expect? “It’s quite a revelation for newcomers to the world of social nudism that it’s an outdoor event similar to any other summer event,” says Andrew
Andrew enjoying the Nudefest
Venue owners, vendors and artists often say that we are the best audience they deal with.
It’s (almost) impossible to run out of things to do.
There are activities all day, every day, including craft sessions, workshops and talks, guided foraging walks, yoga, fitness and meditation sessions, sports and games including a run around the site each morning and a volleyball match each afternoon, massage sessions, heated saunas and hot tubs, life drawing (there’s no shortage of models), a circus show, visits to local cider houses and a naked walk to celebrate World Naked Walking Day, a holi paint skirmish and a 25-metre-long slip-and-slide to help you rediscover your inner child.
There are many opportunities to simply do nothing, sunbathe on the grass, relax with friends or people-watch.
Nudefest takes place in Somerset at a sprawling campsite. Around 700 people from the UK and abroad attend.
A Nudefest attendee walks past a sign reading “tramps in towels”
BN’s charity partner, the British Heart Foundation, set up a stall and spoke to guests about their excellent and much-needed work. ITV’s Lorraine programme with presenter Lucie Cave was broadcast live one morning and interviewed some of our ladies.
Lorraine Kelly’s take on the studio was disappointingly cliché, but you can’t argue (pardon the pun) with the exposition.
It’s not a music festival, but the music looms large (or maybe it should be “loud”) with live music every night, from bands playing classic tunes from the ’60s, ’90s and ’00s, to pop songs from every decade at the request of dueling pianos. , shanties of the energetic and multinational Old Time Sailors, a magnificent ABBA tribute band and the Last Orders Pub Party with one of our own.
Music also included a ‘disco’ ceilidh, karaoke, pop quizzes and Nudefest favourites, the Magic Teapot (they always look forward to taking their clothes off themselves) where tea and music can be enjoyed from early until late. Don’t just listen, join in!
Andrew writes: ‘People who have never been there often ask if it is essential to be naked. Well, that is the general idea, but no’
“There are plenty of opportunities to just do nothing, sunbathe on the grass, relax with friends or people-watch,” writes Andrew
We were also able to enjoy a wide variety of acoustic music from talented artists, some were guests, others came especially to perform, including singer-songwriter Anna, in her first Nudefest and first time performing without clothes.
“I just thought it was the right time to do it,” he told me, “and I’ll definitely do it again!” We laughed out loud (wait for it…) at Comedy Night with the TV joke masters, including Laura Lexx and Javier Jarquin, who received a standing ovation before uttering a single word, taking to the stage completely naked.
People who have never been often ask if it is essential to be naked.
Well, that’s the general idea, but no. The British weather often dictates that and due to the cloudless days, the temperature at night was cool.
By the time you strut your stuff on the dance floor, you’ve probably taken everything off, as have all the dancers around you. Strange? No, context is everything, and the presence of people still wearing some clothes does not matter or stand out.
Do what you choose.
Having a good time is what’s important.
Over the years, there has been an increase in partial or full exposure of flesh by non-guests: behind the bar or concession stand, by band members and other performers. There is no “them and us”, if people are inspired, why not, even if they are working?
One Nudefest attendee said: “You can talk to anyone without fear of prejudice. You run much less risk of upsetting someone here with a different point of view, you are simply valued for your love of life.”
There are activities all day, every day, including craft sessions, workshops and talks, guided foraging walks, yoga, fitness and meditation sessions.
It’s not a music festival, but there is live music every night, reveals Andrew
It’s easy to assume that being naked for a whole week is the main attraction, but I spoke to many guests and not one mentioned it as the reason they were there.
Jeremy told me: “I love Nudefest because it gives me the chance to meet up with old friends and make new ones.” Richard “likes how well organised it is and the events are fantastic.” Charley has been coming for three years and thinks “it’s a very inclusive place and people feel safe.” Fiona loves “the freedom and the company.”
Anthony, who was invited for the first time, had a new perspective on working and making music at Magic Teapot and had “met a lot of people.” He added: “It’s a very sociable and tolerant place, as well as respectful.”
Steve, a naturopath for just two years, said: “It’s a social equalizer and you get to meet all kinds of people, and the highlight is being able to share it with my wife.”
Geoff was more philosophical: ‘You can talk to anyone without fear of prejudice. You run much less risk of upsetting someone here with a different point of view, you are simply valued for your love of life.’
Andrew Welch is a spokesperson for British naturism. Nudefest will return in July 2025, but British naturism (bn.org.uk) hosts a variety of events throughout the year, indoors and outdoors.
