|
|
SOUTH WEST ENGLAND
South West England has coastline on two bodies of water. The smaller body of water is the Bristol Channel, which is a major inlet that lies on the north side of the area shaded in red in the map above. The English counties of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall lie on the southern side of this channel, while Wales is on its opposite coast. The larger and more familiar body of water is the English Channel, which separates England and France. The entire southern shore of England lies along the English Channel. Of the five counties considered on this page, Gloucestershire borders the narrowest part of the Bristol Channel but is virtually landlocked insofar as beaches are concerned. Somerset has coastline only along the Bristol Channel, Devon and Cornwall have coastline on both channels, and Dorset has coastline only along the English Channel. The beaches below are listed in geographic order, starting at the border of England and Wales and at first going southwest along the Bristol Channel, then around the southwesterly tip of Cornwall, then eastward along the English Channel. To accommodate this listing scheme, the county of Devon is split into two areas.
Gloucestershire
MAP [ ↑ ]
|
|
NATURIST RETREATS
Wyvern Sun Club
51.9967N, 2.3599W 
Bromsberrow
|
Somerset
MAP [ ↑ ]
|
|
NUDE BEACHES
Berrow Beach
51.2654N, 3.0197W
| A few nudists visit a remote corner of the village beach of Berrow, but attendance is light and most nude sunbathing occurs in the dunes. |
NATURIST RETREATS
Ridgewood Sun Club
51.4516N, 2.7924W
Clevedon
|
Devon—North Coast & Interior
MAP [ ↑ ]
|
|
NUDE BEACHES
Sillery Sands
51.2345N, 3.8031W
| This beach within Exmoor National Park, just east of Lynton, is spectacularly situated beneath a steeply sloping hillside. Overall attendance is light since the hike down to the beach is steep and strenuous. A good many of those who make the effort choose to enjoy the scenery in the buff. |
Wild Pear Beach
51.2108N, 4.0317W
| This small cove in Combe Martin is a haven for nudists due to its hidden location and inconspicuous access trail. The beach is reached via a hike of half a mile, and the pastoral views en route are quite beautiful. |
Saunton Sands
51.0880N, 4.2221W
| Near the town of Braunton, this 3-mile-long beach attracts a few nudists to one end, well away from part of the beach where textiles gather. |
NATURIST RETREATS
Acorns Naturist Retreat
50.9540N, 3.6818W
Rackenford, Tiverton
PLACES TO STAY—GAY
Holly House B&B
51.2043N, 4.1059W
Ilfracombe
Number 3 B&B
50.9082N, 3.4831W
Tiverton
|
Cornwall
MAP [ ↑ ]
|
|
NUDE BEACHES
The Strangles
50.7317N, 4.6516W
| This lightly attended and off-the-beaten-path beach southwest of Bude has three coves, one of which is a gathering place for nude bathers. |
Penhale Sands
50.3700N, 5.1480W
| Penhale Sands is a 2-mile-long beach that extends north from Perranporth. A few nudists gather at the far north end. |
Fishing Cove
50.2369N, 5.3728W
| This small, sheltered and scenic cove near Camborne is lightly attended, and nudity is well accepted. |
Porthkidney Sands
50.1943N, 5.4416W
| This expansive sandy beach at the River Hayle estuary near Lelant draws a small number of nude bathers, many of whom sunbathe in the dunes. |
Pednevounder Beach
50.0444N, 5.6426W
| Near the southwestern tip of Cornwall, Pednevounder Beach is an idyllic and extraordinarily beautiful cove with a shallow bay of turquoise water that lends it an almost Caribbean aura. Although textiles are usually a majority, nudity is freely tolerated, and access challenges keep away the masses. While all the previously listed beaches on this page are along the Bristol Channel, Pednevounder and all the beaches farther down are along the English Channel. |
Arthur's Beach
50.1312N, 5.0812W
| This beach on the outskirts of Falmouth is close to residential areas yet still very hidden and unlikely to be discovered by anyone not specifically looking for it. Most of the few visitors who come here opt to enjoy the beach in the nude. |
Vault Beach
50.2327N, 4.7943W
| Nudity is the norm along one end of this large cove near St. Austell. The beach is well attended but does not get crowded. This is arguably the best nude beach in Cornwall. |
Downderry Beach
50.3608N, 4.3444W
| The beach that extends east from the village of Downderry is well known for attracting nudists, but visitors must be careful to mind the tides to avoid becoming trapped at high tide. This is the closest nude beach to the town of Plymouth. |
NATURIST RETREATS
Carbeil Holiday Park
50.3653N, 4.3664W
Downderry
|
Devon—South Coast
MAP [ ↑ ]
|
|
NUDE BEACHES
Slapton Sands (Pilchards Cove)
50.3037N, 3.6315W
| This beach on the western side of Dartmouth draws nudists at one end. Slapton Sands is among the more popular beaches in England, and visitors appreciate the ease of access. However, parking is problematic on peak days. |
Scabbacombe Sands
50.3578N, 3.5211W
| This beach between Dartmouth and Brixham is along a very beautiful and pastoral yet lightly visited stretch of coastline. It is a hidden jewel that is frequented by a few nudists in the know. |
Petitor Beach
50.4881N, 3.5145W
| This tiny niche in Torquay is popular with local nudists. Just about everyone who comes here bathes in the nude. |
Budleigh Salterton Beach
50.6252N, 3.3350W
| Budleigh Salterton is a seaside town especially popular with retirees, and part of its pebbly beach, just beyond the town development, is designated and signed for naturist use. The nude area is beneath dramatic red cliffs. |
Weston Mouth Beach
50.6848N, 3.1895W
| This pebbly beach east of Sidmouth and Sidford is access by a longish but very beautiful hike through pastoral countryside, and part of the beach is signed for nude use. The nude area is spacious and never feels crowded. |
NATURIST RETREATS
Manor Farm Camping
50.3150N, 3.6299W
Strete, Dartmouth
|
Dorset
MAP [ ↑ ]
|
|
NUDE BEACHES
Cogden Beach
50.6835N, 2.6858W
| A small number of nudists frequent a remote stretch of this beach near Dorchester. |
Ringstead Beach
50.6316N, 2.3362W
| This rather remote beach southeast of Dorchester is lightly attended overall, and a few nudists gather at one end. |
Durdle Door Beach
50.6230N, 2.2887W
| Durdle Door Beach is one of the scenic wonders of England. Droves of visitors come to photograph the famous natural arch over the water at one end of the beach, and the beach is gorgeous apart from the arch. Half a mile from the arch, the opposite end of the beach draws a few nudists. As a naturist site, Durdle Door is rather minor, but for those who love natural beauty, it is a must-see. |
Studland Beach
50.6655N, 1.9467W
| Studland Beach between Swanage and Bournemouth is the most famous and popular nude beach in the U.K. About half a mile of the beach is officially signed for naturist use. There are always substantial crowds here when the weather is nice, and on summer weekends and holidays there can be traffic gridlock. |
NATURIST RETREATS
Rivendell
50.8571W, 1.9207W
Horton Heath, Wimborne
PLACES TO STAY—GAY
Hamilton Hall
50.7271N, 1.8473W
Bournemouth
|
|
