I sunbathed naked for the first time at 40 & now I can't get enough – this scorching weekend I'm hiking starker

The Sun

3 hours ago

LAYING out her picnic blanket after enjoying a walk in her local woodland, Estelle Keeber, 42, basks in the dappled shade of the trees and feels thankful she's escaped this weekend's scotching UK sun.
The only difference between the mum-of-two and the millions of other Brits heading outdoors as temperatures skyrocket around the country is Estelle is completely starkers.
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"My first foray with nudism began when I started sunbathing topless in the garden at age 33," she explains.
"I wasn't initially happy with my post-baby body, but after taking my top off in the garden I changed my mind and realised 'Yes, this is great'.
'Our garden is overlooked by houses. I found a spot where people couldn't see me if I was topless. That was the first step to embracing the nudist life.'
Now Estelle loves sunbathing, hiking, picnicking, glamping and even BBQing naked and doesn't care who sees.
"I fully stripped off for the first time on a nudist beach at age 40," says the body confident mum, who has two sons aged 16 and 14.
"It was to mark my landmark birthday and now I am obsessed.
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'I found myself at a crossroads as I laid on that sand in Spain. I was a mum to two teenagers, and I decided to make a conscious effort to overhaul my life and improve my confidence.
'I'd broken up with my children's dad in 2015 and trying to make ends meet as a wedding photographer. I knew things had to change.
'But as a mum, learning how to handle my body image was a real struggle.
'I had preconceived ideas about naturist or nude beaches including pervy people, but I was wrong.
'I put down my towel and no one looked or cared. There were people of all different shapes and sizes enjoying the sun like me."
While Estelle, who lives in Leicester, loves getting her kit off, she does have some limitations.
"Of course, I'm always careful not to enjoy my naturist challenges around my sons," she explains.
'They roll their eyes at my antics,' she says.
'But, I knew I couldn't encourage other women to be body confident if I didn't walk the naturist walk.
'Now, I love lying in the sun feeling the warmth on my body and getting the maximum dose of vitamin D I can. It's one of the best things I have ever done. I get my kit off as soon as the sun pops its head out."
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In January 2024 Estelle started a year-long naked challenge sharing her experiences especially during the summer months on her @nakedadventureswithme account on Instagram .
One of her favourite naked days was a nude spa break in Birmingham.
Estelle enjoyed a nude all over body massage, sunbathing, using the jacuzzi, hot tub and even dined in the buff for an evening meal.
'The spa offered naked dining,' she says. 'That was the most challenging thing for me, walking into a dining room and seeing people eating in the nude,' she says.
'I did not know where to put my napkin or how to deal with food sploshing on my bits."
But after her naked spa experience, Estelle admits her body confidence grew.
'I realised I was worrying too much about what everyone else thought about me," she adds.
'I should simply do what makes me feel good or challenged. Every time I did that, my self esteem improved.
'Once I had embraced naturist beaches and a naturist spa, nothing stopped me."
I was shaking when I first took off my clothes looking around thinking I'd be told off by people.
Estelle Keeber42
Estelle has enjoyed another five naked spa visits in Britain in the past nine months.
Last Christmas she even attended her first naked Christmas party at a naturist spa.
'It was a bit weird topping up your lipstick and walking into a Christmas event au naturel, but it was amazing."
And her 12 month challenge was so enjoyable, she's continued it into 2025.
"I've attended naked BBQ's and this year I've been a nude life model for art groups and I will be enjoying a spot of naked glamping in the summer.
'It sounds bonkers, but to accept my body I needed to stop hiding and do things which took me well out of my comfort zone,' she says.
'I know some people will troll me for my naked challenges. I simply don't care. The overwhelming positive response I get from women is amazing.
'I love sunbathing in the nude. Hiking in the buff is just the same.
'This weekend is International Naked Hiking Day and there's no way I'm missing out. In this weather, to indulge in some revealing rambling wearing just boots, a hat, and some sunscreen is perfect for anyone wanting to try.
'I am proud to be celebrating summer with over forty confidences like this.
'It's empowering. I am not doing it to be perved at. I am doing it for me.
'Taking a walk in the sunshine in just a pair of boots is exhilarating. It's not something which should be trolled.
'The first time I went naked rambling was in September 2021.
'I was 41 and went for a two-mile commando wander through forest and bushland.
'I was searching for a naturist beach and took the wrong path.
"The naked ramble was an impulsive decision. I was alone with just my bag and towel."
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According to Estelle if she'd planned ahead, she might have talked herself out of the buff wander.
'My 'in the moment' decision showed I wasn't naked hiking to get clicks on social media; I was doing it to improve how I felt about my body," she explains
'I was shaking when I first took off my clothes looking around thinking I'd be told off by people.
'But within a few minutes the anxiety and worry were replaced. There was no one else around and no one was judging me,
'The breeze on my body, the extra Vitamin D and the sheer freedom of baring all was invigorating, transformative and yes, just a little bit naughty,' she says.
'It's something every woman should try even once. "
With soaring summer temperatures expected this weekend, Estelle believes it's a great time to try to indulge in some topless or even naked rambling.
International Naked Hiking Day is held on the summer solstice, this year the 21st of June, and Estelle is keen to encourage people to embrace a naked hike as a cheeky and fun way to celebrate the day with the most daylight hours.
The event began in the US in 1999 and is now celebrated globally.
In the UK, British Naturism has walks and outdoor gatherings planned in Hertfordshire, Northwest, the Southeast of the country and in London with naked swim events.
if someone sees my boobs or bum, I really couldn't give a fig."
Estelle Keeber42
An Ipsos survey found 6.75 million or 14% of British adults describe themselves as naturist.
This includes an estimated 2 million women or 30% of naturists who are stripping off using the summer weather as a vehicle for improved body confidence, self-esteem, and mental well-being.
Women-only naturist events are now so popular they are sold out months in advance.
Estelle says: 'Mums like me and women of all shapes and sizes are learning to love their bodies on their terms.
'We're celebrating it by challenging ourselves to try everything from topless sunbathing to naked hiking, gardening and swimming especially in summer.'
"Marking International Naked Hiking Day is not just another challenge but a chance to enjoy the great British outdoors when the weather's amazing,' she says.
'I'm not doing it simply to add to a 'click list.' I do this because I enjoy how it makes me feel.
'I love encouraging other people, especially women and mums like me to have a go.
'It's natural to be natural. "
CAN I SUNBATHE NAKED IN MY GARDEN?
It is not an offence to be naked in public which means it is not against the law to be naked in your own garden in the UK.
However, all that changes if your actions alarm or distress those around you.
The law states: "In the absence of any sexual context and in relation to nudity where the person has no intention to cause alarm or distress it will normally be appropriate to take no action unless members of the public were actually caused harassment, alarm or distress (as opposed to considering the likelihood of this)."
Barrister Lynette Calder told The Sun that it's fine to be naked in your own garden - as long as your intent is not to harass or distress whoever lives next door.
She said: "Unless you are in contravention of section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 - ie 'intentionally exposing your genitals with the intention that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress - then there is no specific rule against nudity in the UK."
The best way to ensure you don't end up in hot water with the police while enjoying the UK sunshine is to exercise some caution.
It's also worth considering that somebody may ring your doorbell during your nude sunbathing sessions.
It is not illegal to answer the door to your home in your underwear or walk around the house without clothes on but if the nudity becomes a regularity, and if your neighbours complain to the police enough, then they may take action against you.
Estelle does warn that naked hiking, especially in potential heatwave conditions, is not without its risks.
'Sunscreen is critical - cover yourself with as much as possible,
'Watch out for bugs. There is nothing worse than a bit on your bits and always have a towel to sit down on. You don't want dirt and sand in unseemly places."
In Britain, people are within their rights to be topless in public.
There's no law against it but if you disturb or annoy anyone then you risk 'outraging public decency.'
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, public nakedness must be done in a way that is not intended to cause 'distress, alarm or outrage.'
During the summer of 2023 one UK police force went as far as to suggest that if you're doing it in your own garden, you should let your neighbours know your plans.
'If I am in my garden, I make sure I sunbathe in a space where people can't see me doing it," Estelle says.
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If you're planning on some naked sunbathing or swimming at a local beach that is possible too.
British Naturism, the UK's top naturist organisation, has 81 naturist locations, encompassing beaches, resorts, lakesides, and parks where people can enjoy naked hiking, sunbathing, camping, and swimming.
'Check their website or local online maps for the best places to enjoy some safe naked sunbathing, swimming, or hiking," Estelle says.
'Get out there, enjoy a revealing ramble and have some fun in this lovely summer sun," says Estelle.
'Challenge yourself to have a go. Blaze a trail in the buff and enjoy a burst of body confidence."