Clothing recommended for train journeys but not on naturist beaches

Is naturism allowed in the UK?

I do love a legal grey area and naturism is a great example. Taking your clothes off in public is perfectly legal unless, according the Public Order Act 1986, you doing so causes ‘harassment, alarm or distress’ to other people. Because of this, we don’t have many officially designated nudist beaches. But we do have plenty of beaches, or sections of beaches, that have been used for naked swimming and sunbathing for many years (the best naturist beaches in the UK).

And you can get to some of these by train.

UK naturist beaches by train

I do, of course, recommend that you keep your clothes on whilst on board the train. Even when the air conditioning isn’t working, I suspect your fellow passengers might feel both ‘alarmed’ and ‘harassed’ by such close naked presence. Some may even feel ‘distressed’. It’s also worth remembering that many nudist beaches are actually sections of beach. Some beaches, like Studland Beach in Dorset have clear signs denoting the naturism areas but others do not. It might be really obvious from the level of clothing present, which areas you’re in but if you’re not sure and feeling confident, you could always ask a local.

Here are suggestions for five naturist beaches to visit by train (one requires a bus but it’s a great ride).

And yes, I have visited one but it was night time, I was sneaking a bivvy camp by train, and I kept my clothes on.

Sunny Cove Beach – Falmouth, Cornwall

• Nearest station – Falmouth Town (30 minutes walking)
• Grid reference – SW 8010 3042
• How to find – Coast path between Swanpool and Maenporth beaches
• Also known as – Arthur’s Beach
• Official nudist beach – No
• Nearest toilets – Swanpool Beach

Morfa Dyffryn Beach – Cardigan Bay, Wales

• Nearest train station – Dyffryn Ardudwy (45 minutes walking)
• Grid reference – SH 5676 2280
• How to find – North end of Morfa Dyffryn Beach
• Official nudist beach – Yes
• Nearest toilets – Benar Beach

Norman’s Bay – Bexhill, East Sussex

• Nearest train station – Norman’s Bay (10 minutes walking)
• Grid reference – TQ 6838 0538
• How to find it – Stroll past the end of the campsite
• Official nudist beach – No
• Nearest toilets – Near the station

Knoll Beach – Studland Bay, Dorset

• Train and easy bus service
• Nearest (easiest) train station – Bournemouth
• Bus – Purbeck Breezer 50 service to Swanage (includes the Sandbank Ferry)
• Grid reference – SZ 0348 8408
• How to find it – Walk through the dunes from Ferry Road
• Official nudist beach – Yes (National Trust)
• Nearest toilets – Knoll Beach

Black Rock Beach – Brighton, East Sussex

• Nearest train station – Brighton
• Grid reference – TQ 3298 0340
• How to find it – Walk east along the seafront (or catch the Electric Railway)
• Official nudist beach – Unknown
• Nearest toilets – Black Rock Volk’s Electric Railway Station

More information about naturism in the UK

If this post has sparked an idea, you might be wanting to find out more. From legalities to leisure ideas, British Naturism has all the information you need if you fancy a venture into nudity. They can help you find a community, get naturist holiday discounts and join in with online events. Have fun!