Inside Nudefest – the UK’s largest naturist festival, where a great time is guaranteed

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

There are queues at the various food stalls, tables outside the beer tent filled with animated chatter, piano music emanating from the dodecahedron music venue that is the Magic Teapot, groups listening intently to conversations in marquees, creations being made, under expert guidance, from willow branches, a sauna and hot tub offering something for those in need of relaxation, others opting for the option of lounging on huge cushions under cramped canvas structures, a gong bath meditation session at the Zen tent, a horse-drawn cart circling the perimeter filled with people rocking with its movement as it navigates through the grass, and the show floor filled with a mass of bodies creating a human mandala, a drone flying skyward 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 founded, started in 2007 at a caravan and camping park in Cornwall. The owners saw the value of the ‘buff pound’ at a time of year when capacity was not quite full and offered guests a place to stay while enjoying a naked evening at the world famous Eden Project (yes, that Eden Project ). There were a few activities, including a late night disco – if you’ve never experienced the euphoria of dancing without clothes, add it 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

Nowadays it takes place in Somerset on a sprawling campsite where up to 700 people can enjoy the (crossed) sun for a week. Guests come from all over 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 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’s warm enough, people ditch their clothes – which is different, I admit – but it creates the most incredibly relaxed, happy, body-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.

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,” says Andrew

Andrew enjoys Nudefest

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

It is (almost) impossible to stop doing things.

There are activities throughout the day including craft sessions, workshops and talks, guided foraging walks, yoga, fitness and meditation sessions, sports and games including a run around the grounds every morning and a volleyball game every afternoon, massage sessions, wood-fired saunas and hot tubs, life drawing (no shortage of models), circus show, visits to local cider farms and a nude walk to celebrate World Nude Walk Day, holi-paint skirmish and a 25m slip and slide to help you rediscover your inner child.

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

Nudefest takes place in Somerset on a sprawling campsite. About 700 people from Britain and abroad are attending

A visitor to Nudefest walks past a sign with ‘homeless people on towels’

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, featuring an interview with 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 the music looms (or perhaps that should be ‘loud’) with live music every night, ranging from bands playing classic tunes from the 60s, 90s and 00s, to pop songs from past decades requested by dueling pianos, stirring shanties from the energetic, multinational Old Time Sailors, a cracking ABBA tribute band and the Last Orders Pub Party featuring one of 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 clothes off themselves). From early morning to late evening you can enjoy tea and music. Don’t just listen, participate!

Andrew writes: ‘People who have never been there often wonder whether it is essential to be naked. Well, that’s the general idea, but no’

‘There are plenty of opportunities to just do nothing, sunbathe on the grass, chill with friends or people watch,’ writes Andrew

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

“I just felt like it was the right time to do it,” she told me, “and I’m definitely going to do it again!” We laughed our heads off (wait for it…) at Comedy Night with TV comedians including Laura Lexx and Javier Jarquin, who received a standing ovation before they said a single word and then walked onstage completely naked.

People who have never been there often wonder if it is necessary to be naked.

Well, that’s the general idea, but no. The British weather often dictates that and because of the cloudless days the temperature was cool in the evenings.

By the time you strut your stuff on the dance floor, you’ve probably taken it all off, just like all the groovers around you. Foreign? No, context is everything, and the presence of people who still have some coverage doesn’t matter or stand out.

You do as you choose.

Having a good time is the most important thing.

Over the years there has been an increase in the full or partial 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 at work?

One Nudefest visitor said: ‘You can talk to anyone without fear of prejudice. You are much less likely to upset someone with a different view here, you are simply appreciated for your love of life.’

There are activities all day, every day, including craft sessions, workshops and talks, guided food gathering walks, yoga, fitness and meditation sessions

It’s not a music festival, but there is live music every night, Andrew reveals

You would think that being naked for a whole week would be the main reason, but I’ve spoken to many guests and no one mentioned it as a reason for coming.

Jeremy told me: ‘I love Nudefest because of the chance to meet old friends and make new ones.’ Richard ‘likes how well it’s run, with fantastic events.’ Charley has been coming for three years and finds it ‘really inclusive that 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 says: ‘It is a way to unite social contacts. You meet all kinds of people and the highlight is that I get to do it with my wife.’

Geoff was more philosophical: ‘You can talk to anyone without fear of prejudice. You’re much less likely to upset someone with a different viewpoint here, you’re just 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.