I attended the UK's only naked cruise - here's the strict rule all passengers must follow

Daily Mail​

3 days ago

A man who stripped off and set sail on the UK's only naked cruise has revealed what goes on during the three-hour annual trip - and the strict rule that all passengers must abide by.
Journalist Ben Endley bared it all as he set sail on a double-decker ship along the River Exe in Devon.
In a revelation that will leave some shocked, the first-timer told how the event was not attended by swingers or the sex-obsessed but rather those keen to experience the sense of freedom that comes with baring all.
What's more is that there's a rule in place for those who 'misbehave' - they will be banned from future trips, according to the organisers of the double-decker 'Nude Cruise', which tours the River Exe.
Ben, who was on board the Nude Cruise, described it as 'remarkably normal' and not dissimilar from a boat trip 'organised by a local village church group' in The Sun.
And now, in its 13th year, the outing hasn't strayed from its organiser's original promise of creating a 'safe environment' for all participants.
Rachel Wick, a local authority administrator who launched the boat trip in 2012 with her partner Nigel, said that people need not associate being naked with sex.
The 50-year-old added that, should people attend the cruise, they would see that it doesn't have a sexual nature.
She said: 'If somebody misbehaves, they will be on our banned list. Not that it's ever happened but we're always mindful that this has to be a safe environment because you can feel quite vulnerable when you haven't got your clothes on.'
Participants, who pay £22 for a ticket, which comes with a free hot pasty, include barristers, doctors and prison officers, according to Nigel, who added that the nudist events they organise are popular with venues because guests tend to stay put and enjoy food and drink.
Nigel explained: 'It is the sense of freedom and being relaxed in your own body that draws people in. It's a very friendly environment. If we go to a hotel, people generally don't go out; they stay all day.'
He added that they have never experienced any fights at an event, and that the attendees are typically older.
What's more, Rachel and Nigel see their naked cruise as an important leveller - precisely because people remove clothes that might signify wealth in other environments.
She added that people don't have to look a certain way to attend, and that the group is made up of attendees of all different shapes and sizes.
And, its not just those on board who welcome the Nude Cruise. When it sailed past pubs and restaurants in Topsham, the cruise was greeted enthusiastically by people on the shore, some of whom had turned up in fancy dress.
British Naturism, the UK's national representative body for naturists, which traces its origins to 1891, has around 10,000 members. While membership isn't soaring, casual naturists are on the rise.
A 2022 survey reported that more than six million people in Britain occasionally get naked recreationally, up almost 12 per cent in 20 years.
In April, Daily Mail spoke to Tom Dryer-Beers about his life at Spielplatz, the UK's longest-operating naturist resort that's situated just off the M25 in the village of Bricket Wood in Hertfordshire.
A professional life model for many years, Tom moved to Spielplatz - German for playground - eight years ago and lives there with his wife, Victoria.
He explained: 'We used to visit naturist places because it's such a lovely experience. We love the sunshine and being outdoors and it's just a lovely social occasion. We dipped our toes for several years before we came to Spielplatz and realised there was an opportunity to enjoy the lifestyle without having to travel.'
While residents at Spielplatz have the opportunity to be nude whenever they like, it isn't compulsory, said Tom.
He said: 'You're free to choose whether to wear clothing or not. Most people will take advantage of the warm weather whenever it comes up. People tend to feel temperature differently so everybody takes part as they wish.'
Tom is one of around 50 permanent residents at Spielplatz but the resort also has seasonal occupiers who live in caravans or chalet homes while they're there. The season tends to run from April to the end of September.
Keen naturists can also visit Spielplatz for the day with Tom explaining that guests tend to 'lounge about the place' enjoying the resort's 'lovely swimming pool and sauna' as well as its fully 'licensed bar'.
But while Spielplatz is keen to encourage new members, there are also some pretty stringent rules to keep out any 'voyeurs', explained Tom.
He said: 'We do ask that if any visitors come, they give evidence of having had naturist experiences before, because we are looking for people who know what it is like to respect the movement and the residents.
'It's for everybody's safety and security. There are people who don't understand naturism and don't respect those who just enjoy being socially naked with friends and we don't want them visiting.'
When a person applies to visit Spielplatz, the reception team will ask them to demonstrate their commitment to naturism, Tom said.
This could be membership of the British Naturism Society or evidence of having visited other naturist resorts around the world.
Tom added: 'If they have no background of that, they should come as a guest of someone [who lives here]as we are not looking for voyeurs.'
Spielplatz also has an electric gate to provide security but Tom says the community generally doesn't 'have much trouble at all with people'.
He explained: 'We tend to have neighbours who respect this place and are actually quite grateful we're here because we're good neighbours.'
Visitor numbers tend to depend on the season, with Tom revealing visits have fallen for the last couple of years due to the UK's 'relatively poor summers'.
And while the majority of work inside the resort is done by residents, outsiders will come in to do work that Spielplatz residents 'don't have the skills or equipment for'.
Tom said: 'They wouldn't necessarily be naturists. But we don't encourage them to come during our open season. We try to reserve any work of that sort for the off times.'
The majority of Spielplatz' residents are 'middle aged couples upwards to retirees', said Tom. '[That's] largely because they have the time and the interest to relax and just enjoy company.
'Younger people tend to be busy rushing around and have lots of things to do. We do get some families with young children coming in. Of course, they love the pool and running around on the grounds but the age range will generally be from 30 upwards.'
Tempted to give naturism a go? Tom said: 'The most important thing is just to realise that we all have bodies.
'Everybody's body is beautiful. Respect each other, respect yourself and just have a good time. There's no need to make it more fussy than that.'