I visited UK's Swingathon fest with 50-person orgy & spank shows – here's why this year was younger & SEXIER than ever

The Irish Sun

21-07-2025

BEAUTIFUL women in barely-there bikinis strut past as a young man pulls a blonde into a tent.
She gives a quick, saucy wink over her shoulder before they disappear inside.
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The Sun's Georgette peels back the entrance to orgy tent at the Swingathon
Credit: Olivia West
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OnlyFans stars Shania Howard, right, and Jazzy strike a pose as they make their debut at the raunchy event
Credit: Olivia West
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Sexy dominatrix Annabella Stanyer met partner Josh Gill when she booked him as a sex slave for her circus act
Credit: Olivia West
For a moment, I almost feel I'm at Glastonbury — until I glance to the side and clock a full-blown threesome in a tent.
Welcome to
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As The Sun's sexpert, I've been granted exclusive access to the steamy three-day romp-fest.
It's not my first rodeo — I
As
Some look like they have just strolled off the set of Love Island and straight into the hot tub.
'It just takes you out of normal life and into a whole new world,' says Macy, a model and mum from Blackpool, who is celebrating her 25th birthday today.
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Clad in a neon green fishnet bodysuit that's cheekily cut away at the back, Macy gives me a tour of her tent in the glamping quarters. She is sharing with her long-term partner Karl, 34, who she has been with for six and a half years.
The pair, who also have a child together, tell me they discovered the lifestyle a few years ago and haven't looked back since.
'It's our first Swingathon but we've been to a few clubs,' explains Karl. 'Everyone is dead accepting.
The Sun's Georgie Culley visits UK's largest sex fest Swingathon
'I've seen lots of willies'
'We're a pretty open couple and are open to anything but we tend to stick to softplay (sex with your partner in front of others, but not swapping), but it all depends on the people and couples.'
The pair say they do have rules but don't have a safe word.
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'She's my queen and I won't see her disrespected,' Karl continues. 'We are in sync with each other and connect with our eyes.'
The couple haven't played with anyone else just yet — but the night is still young.
'There's a couple of girls I'm eager to get my hands on,' Macy laughs, excitedly.
Their advice for curious couples? 'Don't knock it 'til you've tried it,' says Karl. 'It's a place where you can live out your wildest fantasies.'
Macy adds: 'It's about being you, and being free — you don't have to do anything. Just being here is enough for some people.'
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There's a couple of girls I'm eager to get my hands on
Macy
Nearby, I find Annie, 38, a carer from Bristol and her long-term partner, Dave, 39, a scaffolder.
'We have a really good, healthy sex life,' says Annie, 38, who's been in the lifestyle for nearly 18 years.
'And then we'll come here and treat it like a sex toy — something you use and then put away. For us it's an enhancement of our sex life, not something we need, something we enjoy.'
Friday's scorching sunshine caught many out — and let's just say the combo of baby
oil
and blazing July heat was not ideal.
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A reveller poses in a barely-there feather outfit at the event
Credit: Olivia West
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Macy and Karl from Blackpool say they are 'pretty open'
Credit: Olivia West
There were plenty of red bums on display by sundown, as revellers soaked up the rays — and each other.
For some, Saturday's downpour was a welcome relief — finally, something cool in a weekend that's anything but.
Still, a bit of bad weather hasn't dampened the mood or slowed anyone down. In fact, there are loads of new additions to the festival this year.
'We've got Naked Attraction — like the Channel 4 dating show, but live and fully interactive,' one organiser tells me.
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'There's Kerry's Kinky Quiz, spanking displays, foam parties, a group massage class, naked discos . . . and of course, dozens of orgy tents.
'There's also the new glamping village which is great for socials.'
Each play tent comes fully stocked with
bowls
of condoms (we're talking hundreds), plus lube, blue roll and disinfectant. Revellers are expected to clean up after themselves and leave the space as they found it — or risk a fine for being messy.
'Last night we were in here with 12 other couples,' continues Annie.
'It was very hot and sweaty. We like to play with other women and sometimes that does mean a couple swap. But it's got to be pleasurable for everyone.'
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Festival organisers tell me they've come well prepared — with a jaw-dropping 4,000 condoms and hundreds of bottles of lube and baby oil stocked up for the weekend.
And judging from the saucy stories I've heard echoing from every corner of the site, none of it's going to waste.
As I walk to get a drink from the shiny phallic-shaped drinks bar, a group of beautiful women rush past me, wearing nothing but painted handprints smeared across their bodies.
They giggle wildly, slipping into an outdoor bath, splashing and scrubbing each other down in a
blur
of skin, suds and laughter.
In the content creator tent I find two Only Fans models posing up a storm.
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They tell me how it's their first time at Swingathon.
Laughing, Jazzy, 34, says: 'I've seen lots of willies out which I like — I've had a right old gander at that.'
'It's a bit crazy, innit?' adds Shania Howard, 25, from Surrey. 'There were loads of people having sex in the play tents. I know I do Only Fans but that's wild.'
Last night we were in here with 12 other couples
Annie
As the day gets into full swing — pun intended — more and more revellers emerge from their tents.
At one point, I overheard a couple casually plotting a 50-strong orgy for later that evening — just your average Saturday night at Swingathon.
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Elsewhere, others strip off without a second thought and slip into the outdoor hot tubs, cocktails in hand, as if it's the most natural thing in the world.
Nearby, I meet circus performer couple Annabella Stanyer, 28, and Josh Gill, 32, from Bristol.
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A kinky sex warning at Swingathon 2025
Credit: Olivia West
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The Sun's sexpert Georgie was granted exclusive access to the steamy three-day romp-fest
Credit: Olivia West
What is Swinging?
SWINGING, also known as partner swapping, is a sexual activity where partners in a committed relationship engage in sexual activities with other people.
All parties involved must give explicit and enthusiastic consent.
Open and honest communication between partners is crucial.
Many swingers engage with a community or attend events specifically for swinging.
Such activity can enhance intimacy and trust within the primary relationship.
It provides an opportunity to explore sexual fantasies and desires.
But it is not suitable for every relationship and requires a strong foundation of trust.
Jealousy and emotional challenges may arise and need to be managed.
'Sleaze on our doorstep'
'I hired him as a sex slave for a festival,' dominatrix Annabella says. 'And the rest is
history
.'
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It's the pansexual pair's first time at Swingathon after Annabella bagged a free ticket by winning Best Fetish Model at the Alternative Awards.
The pair have been together a year and set clear boundaries to ensure they don't get paranoid about anything and 'just have fun'.
'You're OK with me playing with a girl,' says Annabella. 'And he can play with boys individually and we play with both genders when we are together.'
Josh adds: 'It's important to take things slowly and communicate with each other, which you should be doing in a relationship anyway.'
While most locals I've met seem unfazed by the festival, one grand- father said: 'Our beautiful and peaceful little village has become synonymous with swingers.
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'It's outrageous, and we don't welcome it. We don't want it here. It is sleaze on our doorstep.'
They call us dirty swingers and say we are spreading this and spreading that
Matt Cole, founder
But the founder of the event, 37-year-old Matt Cole, disagrees. He says: 'Live and let live — we are not hurting anyone and no one can hear or see what is going on inside, unless you are attending it.'
His wife Stacie, 30, chips in: 'One of the main negative comments we get from people is that we are one big STD festival.'
Matt adds: 'They call us dirty swingers and say we are spreading this and spreading that.
'But if we can make it all free for attendees to get tested beforehand then that stops that. In every play tent there are condoms and lube and most people play with safe sex.'
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For the first time in the five years they have been running the event, Matt explains how he asked festival-goers to test this year before they arrived.
He says: 'I sent free NHS kits to everyone and 50 per cent of people here today have taken them.
'Next year, I'd love to work with an online testing company so we get everyone tested and then we will be the first festival that is as safe as can be.'
As I peruse the stalls selling sexy underwear and kinky sextoys, a stunning brunette casually strolls by wearing a little jacket and nothing else.
It's 7pm and the sun is starting to set over Britain's biggest swinging festival.
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But judging by what I've seen — and heard — it won't be the only thing going down tonight . . .
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Founder Matt Cole pictured with wife Stacey
Credit: Olivia West
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A reveller poses at the event's bar
Credit: Olivia West