The fact that it took so long to find a suitable main image for this blog speaks volumes about the way that the human body is portrayed in the media. Could I find an image of a naked body in natural surroundings that wasn't airbrushed, romanticised or sexualised in some way? I gave up after two hours and at the end of perusing wall to wall body-beautiful, felt a great deal more inhibited about my own body than I had at the start of the search.
In the end, Andy Eke from Acorns Naturist Retreat in Devon helped me out by supplying an image taken at Acorns: two people enjoying a walk through the countryside, the lack of clothing being the only notable difference to the walks I usually take. Andy, who owns and runs Acorns with his wife Kathy, has agreed to demystify naturist camping for those of you who, like me, have not yet experienced it. So, thanks for your help on both counts, Andy!
Perhaps you are reading this wondering whether or not naturist camping is for you? Hopefully the questions I asked Andy Eke in preparation for this blog are the ones you would have asked too!
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What kind of people do 'Naturist Camping' and are all of the people who use your campsite people who would class themselves as 'Naturist'?
"We get a full range of people from families to old folk, from all walks of life and from all over the world. Just as you would expect to find on any camp site."
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Acorns Naturist Retreat, Devon
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"Some people using our site class themselves as naturists and do belong to BN the naturist organisation in the UK. Many others just like the freedom and feeling of being naked in the fresh air, not really classing themselves as a naturist.
At Acorns, we also get a tremendous amount of people who come here to try it for the first time, to see if they enjoy the whole experience.
I think because we are not a club and you don't have be a member of anything to come here, many people are happy to give it a go.
We are just like any other camp site, you just pay for your visit and hopefully enjoy your stay."
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What advice would you have for someone who hasn't been Naturist camping before and thinks that they would like to try it?
"As the saying goes 'Don't put off till tomorrow, what you can do today. Because if you do it today and enjoy it, you can do it again tomorrow !'
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My advice to anyone who want to have a go at naturism, is DO IT. So many people come here and say 'I wish I had done this years ago!'
Just book in for one night, or come for a day visit, you don't have to book up for a whole week. Then if you do find it's not for you, all you have lost is the cost of one night. If you enjoy it, you can then extend your stay."
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Tything Barn Naturist Site, Pembrokehsire
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What information do I need in order to expel daft myths about Naturism?
"A couple of things people need to know before coming on a naturist break are firstly, naturist camping is ordinary camping, without the need to wear clothes. It is not a swingers venue or one big sex party, " says Andy.
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Merryhill Leisure Naturist Site, Norfolk
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"If the weather is warm enough people do everything that other campers do, but in the nude. However, if it is cold and wet, put some clothes on, you don't have to be naked!
At Acorns if you so desire you can be naked 24 hours a day, whereas some naturist venues you have to dress in the evenings, or at meal times. Our only rule on nudity is that if you wish to use the hot tub, sauna or swimming pool, you must be naked.
Finally, when at any naturist venue you are always expected to sit on a towel or something of your own when sitting down. So it's handy to carry a towel or sarong with you, to put on furniture before sitting down, for obvious health reasons."
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Choosing a Naturist Campsite
As Andy says, each Naturist Campsite has a different atmosphere and some different rules; like all campsites, the facilities on naturist campsites differ too.
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A good starting point is to search Campsite Chatter's Naturist Camping specialism, where you can read through individual site listings and learn about the ethos and facilities of each of these naturist holidays UK.
Whatever your reasons, be that the search for a healthier lifestyle, a quest for greater freedom, the pursuit of higher self-esteem or simply relaxation and well-being, you'll find a naturist site that suits you.
As with all our listings, you can use the 'Things to Do' tab on each listing, showing well over 1000 local venues, services and attractions, many with images and reviews: invaluable for planning your stay.
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Springwood Naturist Club, Essex
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Finally, congratulations to Acorn Naturist Retreat which has just been awarded the Trip Advisor 2014 Award of Excellence, placing this naturist campsite in the top 10% of hospitality businesses in the UK, based on the feedback of their customers.
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