Swinging in the rain! Sex fetishists don't let thunderstorms and mud dampen their ardour at Britain's biggest swingers festival
Around one thousand kinky revelers have descended on a sleepy Lincolnshire village for Britain's biggest swingers festival taking place this weekend.
The X-rated three-day extravaganza kicked off on Thursday and is now in its fifth year of attracting sexually adventurous guests from across the UK.
Set in the middle of sleepy farmland near Grantham, this year's edition promises more risqué fun than ever before.
And while attendees enjoyed a hot and sweaty first two days, basking in the UK's ongoing heatwave, ticketholders were less than impressed by the sudden rain.
However they didn't let that stop their weekend of fun and many took to social media to emphasise the activities on offer and reassure organisers they would still be indulging their kinkier sides.
For £200 a single ticket – or £250 per couple – attendees are treated to a raunchy line-up of saucy entertainment, including mobile dungeons, pole dancing, BDSM equipment stalls, and steamy hot tubs.
Among the more eyebrow-raising activities on offer are spanking paddles for sale, kinky workshops, lingerie boutiques, foam parties and a game of butt-plug bingo.
There's also a strong presence of kink culture, with dedicated 'play tents' and a focus on everything from bondage to consensual non-monogamy.
Stalls selling sex toys, whips, chains and other NSFW gear line the grounds, as well as giant words written on the ground saying 'kink', 'play' and 'love'.
But the rain has stopped some from enjoying.
One attendee who goes by the social media name Baby Kink took to her TikTok to give a weather update.
She said: 'Hi guys I'm down in the field today and it's a little bit wet - but not in the right way.
'We still have amazing things happening today. Lots of games and karaoke and wet thing.
She added that there was still plenty of fun to be had despite the terrible weather.
Another swinger who went by the name Saurora Aurora took to her Instagram story to complain about the weather.
She said: 'Good morning guys it's definitely a different morning, day today it's obviously the British summer weather of rain and cold so we're not fully clothed which is really boring, fully clothed and cold.'
But she said it was 'really good to chat to people in the lifestyle' and added she would be doing some 'spicy workshops' which she was looking forward to later in the day and finished by telling her followers she was excited for the final day.
Pictures posted on social media showed revellers enjoying their weekend of hedonism in Lincolnshire, dabbling in body to body painting, BDSM workshops and foam parties as well as educational workshops and erotic dances.
The event has previously attracted criticism from nearby residents who complained about 'loud moaning sounds' coming from the site.
But it has since relocated to a larger, more rural location as numbers increased and organisers say they are committed to challenging the 'sleazy' stigma around the festival.
Matthew Cole, who started Swingathon in 2020, says it is not exclusive to traditional swingers and it is more an 'adult alternative lifestyle event'.
He said: 'Contrary to some beliefs, there are no keys in bowls, seedy music, lecherous individuals or a high level of STIs amongst this community.
'In fact, individuals within this community are respectful, conscientious, and more likely to practise safe sex or be regularly tested than the average person you might meet on a night out in a club.
'The team are passionate about normalising the sexual freedom that alternative lifestyles provide and continue to strive against prejudice and adversity to bring the community a safe and inclusive social, play and learning space.'
The festival says it celebrates a broad range of adult alternative lifestyles, including LGBTQ+ identities, consensual non-monogamy, kink, and more.
The event with also feature live music, DJs, workshops, demonstrations, stalls and games - all in a 'safe, inclusive space' which 'celebrates diversity.'
Matt and his wife Stacie say they remain committed to challenging stigma and they have taken steps to ensure both safety and credibility.
They claim attendees are vetted in advance and the event has a 'strong focus on consent and personal responsibility.'
Matt added: 'Swingathon is not a sex party, but rather a gathering of open-minded individuals where friendships and relationships can begin or thrive.
'It aims to bring together a community with an inclusive positive experience, where friendships and relationships begin, rekindle and flourish through the embracement of uniqueness, regardless of the rumour mill.'
However, some residents still oppose having the 'seedy' festival on their doorsteps and say it is not welcome in their quaint rural hamlet.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: 'We're becoming known as the swingers capital of England just because of this festival and that's not a title we want.
'Its mostly elderly people and families here so you can imagine them spitting their tea out when they learned we were to be the home of Swingathon.
'It's usually the talk of the village, some say let consenting adults do whatever they want to do, but I know many are not pleased they have chosen here for such activities.
'It's just a bit seedy and sleazy isn't it? Not for me I'm afraid.'
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