World Naked Bike Ride
Here’s the poster for the London ride.
You can find details of rides in other cities around the world at http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/
the UK page is at http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/uk/
Happy 10th birthday to us
Naturist Accommodation UK began in late April/early May 2002.
It had an earlier history as a Yahoo group called Naturist Lodgings run by a guy called Barry W, who should be thanked for the initiative. When I took it over I expanded the remit, hence the change of name. In time the group moved from Yahoo to Smartgroups, which closed down, and then to Google.
A web page listing accommodation first began as a part of a naturist web site I ran at the time (which itself started in 1995) and then Naturist Accommodation UK got its own web domain. If you are wondering why it’s called naco.org.uk (which, of course, is not an abbreviation of Naturist Accommodation UK), it’s because naco was originally bought for another naturist initiative that never happened, and the domain proved too convenient not to use. I still see from the site logs that people are clicking on links somewhere to that old web page which now redirects to naco.org.uk.
in 2009 the accommodation list was up and running as the searchable directory that you see now, and since then various bells and whistles – the blog, Twitter and so on – have been added to make the site more interesting and help market the listed accommodation. And, of course, to promote the whole idea of naturist and clothes-optional accommodation.
Perhaps we should have a party? Looking forward to another 10 years…
Alex Polizzi, the Hotel Inspector on Channel 5, has been giving Clover Spa the benefit of her advice, which will be shown on TV during the summer. I guess this stunt was her idea.
Cheesy stunts apart, I’ve written elsewhere that it’s worth becoming a naturist to visit Clover Spa, even if you aren’t a naturist already. Clover Spa is almost unique in the UK and certainly in its area – a hotel that is 100% naturist but is also excellent value compared to similar hotels that are not naturist. I have stayed there several times. The rooms are comfortable, spotlessly clean and have extra touches like heated floors in the bathrooms. The spa facilities, included in the charge for accommodation, are excellent and the food is good value. The spa is also open to visitors. The hotel is handy for both the M6/M42 motorways and a suburban rail station 15 minutes out of central Birmingham. It has a garden that I have not yet been able to use but will be lovely for the sunny weather.
Adam’s Naturist Retreat near Banbury
John writes: I have stayed at Adam’s Naturist Retreat three times over the last couple of years, after discovering the place whilst looking for somewhere to stay when I was in the area on business. In that time the place has evolved as the hosts, Jeremy and John, now offer a wider range of facilities than they once did, including naturist massage and a year round hot tub on the covered patio. During my last stay I got to meet Richard, the NACO group manager, and chat about the various places he has stayed, and I know from my own experience that not all are as pleasant and comfortable as Adam’s Naturist Retreat.
On first arriving at this wonderful home nestled in a small village in Northamptonshire close to Banbury, you’re greeted warmly and shown to your room, of which there are two to choose from. I usually opt for the en-suite room, which is very spacious and comfortable and very tastefully decorated with large fluffy towels and premium toiletries supplied in the en-suite bathroom. The bed is very comfortable with premium Egyptian cotton sheets etc. You’re left to undress and settle in at your leisure, take a shower and then join your hosts downstairs where a drink will be waiting for you. When I first stayed here you took a bottle of wine with you if you wanted an alcoholic drink, but these days John and Jezz include wine in the price of the accommodation; and if you have stayed before then you’ll find a very nice touch as they will remember your preference of tipple.
The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, both John and Jezz are very easy to get along with and so it’s very easy to simply chill out in naked company and feel right at home. Jezz used to be a hotelier and so he brings his hosting skills and attention to detail into their home for their naturist guests. I’ve never managed to stay in the warmer months, but if you do then the gardens are secluded and offer opportunity to lounge outdoors naturist style. On my last stay in January 2012 I did get to sample the wonderful hot tub, which was a nice treat before dinner. Although I haven’t sampled the massage, which is John’s area (John is a fully trained masseur), this is conducted in the garden room which they had especially built as a therapy suite.
Evening Meals
If you’re going to book into a naturist bed and breakfast, especially one that offers evening meals, then there really is no point in getting dressed again to go out and eat elsewhere. Here, you can dine with John and Jezz for an extra £25 and receive an excellent 3 course meal. The food is always fresh, plentiful and very tasty with wine included, and of course you get to eat in the buff! No-one has to ‘dress for dinner’ unless you count your birthday suit as such.
After dinner you can relax some more and have a great time in the company of your hosts and retire at your leisure to a warm and comfortable bed.
The next morning you’ll be treated to whatever you want for breakfast from cereals, toast, fruit, porridge or a cooked breakfast if you prefer, with fresh coffee (or tea if you prefer).
Adams Naturist Retreat really is a naturist haven for guys, especially those of us who occasionally travel with our jobs and need somewhere to stay where we can feel comfortable and be nude; it’s relaxing, very welcoming and you’re guaranteed a great stay in wonderful surroundings with excellent hosts and perhaps another guest or two if the other room is booked.
One of the best places I’ve stayed, naturist or textile!
Another recommendation, from Rob: I recently stayed in the accommodation listed as Adam’s Naturist Retreat near Banbury and I would like to recommend it to anyone looking for superb first class accommodation and service. The property is excellent in every respect, all the facilities superb and the hosts could not do enough for you. The evening meal is 5 star in every way, well done chef, all in all a great way to relax after a real tough day. 
Naturist Action Group: Taking the London Question Forward
Naturists identified 17 parks and open spaces in London during 2011 as possible locations for naturism. The London Question is a Naturist Action Group project and 50 naturists of both genders responded constructively. Key naturist bodies have informed their members about The London Question. Three meetings were held in London during 2011 and several locations were checked. You may recall that NAG volunteers went on a fact-finding mission, to see how citizens of Munich take to naturism. NAG supporters are now researching legal issues in London. All of this will help NAG to plan further positive action in 2012.
A London Question Review and Action Planning meeting will be held by NAG at 3.00pm – 5.00pm on 25th March 2012 in McGlynn’s Freehouse (www.mcglynnsfreehouse.com). McGylnn’s is a pub located on the corner of Whidborne Street and Argyll Street, WC1H 8ET, close to Kings Cross and St Pancras Stations.
This NAG project is led by our volunteer John Paine. Your enthusiasm and support for The London Question this summer will be very welcome. More details are available from this website and financial donations to help The London Question succeed are always welcome.
If you intend to take part on the 25th March meeting we would appreciate you contracting John Paine at http://naturistactiongroup.org/contact/john/ .
Clothing Optional at the Abbey House Gardens – 2012
Abbey House Gardens in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, the home of the Naked Gardeners Ian & Barbara Pollard, has clothes-optional days each summer. In 2012 the dates are:
Sunday 27th May 2012
Sunday 17th June 2012
Sunday 15th July 2012
Sunday 12th August 2012
Sunday 2nd September 2012
The gardens are open between 11.00 and 17.30 . Usual admission costs apply.
Parking is in the Long Stay car park adjacent to the gardens and currently costs 50p for 4 hours
or £1 for all day parking.
For full details, see here.
Church Spa, East Markham, Nottinghamshire
I received some information from the Church Spa in East Markham, near Newark on Trent in Nottinghamshire. They have a spa with various treatments as well as accommodation (which looks luxurious, with prices to match!).
I decided not to include them in the directory as they are not a naturist establishment, but they may still be of interest as they offer exclusive use of the spa (they don’t say about the accommodation) so the spa might make an enjoyable visit for a group of naturists.
I include their description below. As always, if you want to make a booking you should check that it meets your requirements before you commit yourself, and especially confirm their policy on nudity during your visit.
“A late 19th Century former Methodist Church sympathetically restored into this luxurious and peaceful Spa with luxury accommodation. Offering absolute tranquillity within the in-house Spa there is an oasis of exclusive relaxation facilities awaiting guests. You can bathe in privacy, in the exclusive indoor heated swimming pool, use the steam room and therapy hot tub. Take advantage of the Spa’s treatment room.”
Website: www.churchspa.co.uk. Tel: 01777 871811
Naturist accommodation in Peñiscola, Spain
John writes:
Situated in the coastal holiday resort of Peñiscola, we offer naturist accommodation to couples and singles. This residence is situated right on the seafront and only 5 minutes walk from small, secluded naturist beaches. With the last remaining undeveloped national park, Tierra D’irta, on our other flank, our location offers an ideal setting for nude hiking, ending the walk at the nude beaches.
Guests who like to stay at base can enjoy the sun on the roof top terrace, with a roof top bar, and dine clothes free (as well as breakfast we do lunch and dinner, all home cooked ).
We are naturists of 25 years standing, myself a former BN club treasurer. We offer a genuine service to genuine naturists, whether experienced nudists or first timers.
I started as a naturist when I was at university in Leicester and I went along to an open weekend at Charnwood Acres. After that I was hooked, and when I returned home to Yorkshire I joined Leeds Naturist Group and, being an accountant, I ended up as club treasurer for over 10 years. I was also a member of the Pendale club in West Yorkshire.
As a single guy I definitely didn’t have the typical single guy experience. LNG and Pendale were very welcoming to singles, and appreciated the fact that often it was the week on week money coming in from singles that paid the venue rental. It is this open-minded atmosphere and attitude that I have always tried to adopt here at our naturist venue.
I moved to Spain in 2005 with my partner, and we chose Peñiscola because it really is a picturesque resort, quite unknown in the UK so it’s not all bingo and fish and chips. It was the setting for the film El Cid and it has a Moorish castle set into the coastline, jutting out into the waves. The money from the film helped local families develop the modern part of the town, with its bars, cafes and restaurants. (In 2011 Peñiscola actually got its first gay bar! It is not, as a guest surmised, two Spanish guys and a Kylie record!).
We decided to offer naturist accommodation, as we went nude 24/7, and it made sense to offer the spare rooms to other nudists. We opened to couples and singles, male or female, gay, bi or straight.
I like the fact that we charge normal bed and breakfast rates – we don’t overcharge just to exploit guests wanting to be nude. We are naked too (and believe me that is not always a given at other naturist venues), and we often take guests into the resort and they feel part of our family… important if holidaying alone. We don’t just leave guests to get on with it, and feel like loners.
See the website: http://peniscolanaturista.vpweb.co.uk
Do you want to post an article in this blog?
Do you want to post an article on the Clothes Are Optional blog? This may be an opportunity to inform naturists about your accommodation, or recommend a place where you have really enjoyed staying.
We welcome articles related to naturist accommodation in the UK or abroad, or about naturist places and events and other news or topics of interest to naturists.
When appropriate, links to the articles will be created in Overseas Accommodation, Naturist Links or the UK directory. If you don’t have your own web site, the article will do instead.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t think you can write – just provide the information and we can edit it into an article! Please note that all articles are subject to editing and we reserve the right to refuse to publish.
Articles should be more than just advertisements. For example, an article on particular accommodation might be written from the point of view of the guest’s experience there, the owner’s experience of running the accommodation or how they came to live there in the first place, interesting things about the locality, local events or things to do or see, or some personal experience or insight that would be interesting to readers.
Pictures are welcome. They should be relevant (pictures of the accommodation, for example) and reasonable quality. Having people in the picture makes it more visually interesting – the people do not have to be recognisable. The total size of files attached to emails to the naco email address should be less than 500 kb or they will not be received successfully. (If necessary, we can give you another address.)
Please be factual – falsehoods and malice are against defamation law and will have to be rejected. Equally, avoid ‘hype’: promising too high leads to disappointment. We want people to find accommodation, places and experiences that are just right for them!
London social meeting with Naturist Action Group
Note from NACO: I don’t think this is a naturist event, but NAG is pushing for naturist facilities in London, so if you live in London do go along!
You are cordially invited by NAG to a gathering of like-minded people on the 21st November 2011. This will be from 5.00pm at McGlynn’s Freehouse.
McGlynn’s is a pub located on the corner of Whidborne Street and Argyll Street, WC1H 8ET, close to Kings Cross and St Pancras Stations.
Come and meet other naturists, and NAG supporters, who live or work in London socially. Members of the Management Board for the Naturist Action Group will also be there, and happy to answer your questions about our aims for NAG and the projects we have initiated to advance naturism in the UK, including The London Question.
Food is available from the public house’s kitchen from 5:30pm and the menu can be found at www.mcglynnsfreehouse.com/menu.html.
We look forward to seeing you there and an RSVP to the chairman would be appreciated.
How to get there:
We do not recommend that you come by car, especially if you intend to sample any of the alcoholic beverages.
Several underground lines go to Kings Cross/St Pancras: Victoria, Northern, Piccadilly, Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith and City Lines.
On leaving the station cross Euston Road (A501) by either the lights at the junction with St Pancras Road (the road between the two stations) or the pedestrian subway, and head towards Argyll Street, which should be almost opposite. Walk down Argyll Street and Whidborne Street will appear from the right, at the end of Argyll Primary School, while Argyll Street continues off towards the left.
From Euston Station, walk along Euston Road towards St Pancras Station, then follow the above instructions.
A number of bus routes pass along the Euston Road to King Cross Station, or close by it, and we suggest that the journey planner at www.tfl.gov.uk/ is checked for your right route.
