Naturist Holidays

England:

Dorset,

Head to the far west for more sunshine hours, incredible sunsets over the sea and probably the best beaches in the UK if not Europe. Throw in friendly locals, country pubs and many clothes optional beaches and you are in for a great holiday.

With the M5 and A30 link roads giving easy access Devon and Cornwall are the places to be this summer. Cheap flights into the Plymouth and Newquay airports means if you don’t want to drive down why not do a fly drive? Pick up your rental car from the airport and what you save in petrol goes a long way to pay for your hire car.

To find the hidden gems of fantastic beaches check out the Bare Briton book or look at last years Cornish Crème articles in your H&E magazine.

My personal favourites are the secluded coves near Lands End, Pednevounder and Treen beaches. With a look of the Caribbean these white sand beaches and azur blue waters tempt many to take the twenty minute walk from the tiny village of Treen down the coastal footpath to these granite cliffs backed beaches.

Treen is famous for the “Logan Rock” which is a huge granite rock that balances above the far end of the beach. A few years ago the story goes that a group of over enthusiastic soldiers levered from the rock from its pivot and sent it crashing down to the beach. A local outcry forced the army to send a task force to hoist the rock back up to its original resting place.

Treen has a wonderful pub and a local shop along with a campsite and a smattering of Cornish cottages available for rent. Armed with a few pasties and a cold drink my family and I have spent many happy hours on these beaches. There is a good mix of textiles and naturists on the beach although it is only suitable for sure footed individuals as the last twenty feet down to the beach is fairly steep. Another thing is the tides, check them out because the beach will disappear at high water but still sun lovers just climb back up the cliff a little and bask on the hot granite rocks till the tide recedes.

The next cove along is Porthcurno which is well known for two very different reasons.

One, it was the place where Marconi made the first transatlantic telegraph call and

Two, The Minnack Theatre which is an open air theatre with what must be the best back drop in the world.

A little further on is “Lands End” the most westerly point on mainland Britain with the theme park and hotel It’s a great place to watch the sun go down over the Seven stones lighthouse.

Cornwall being on an peninsular has great beaches on both coasts and another favourite is Fishing cove also know locally as “Fishermens”. The cliff backed cove is just north of Godrevy with the lighthouse as a good landmark. Park at the top of the  hill leaving valuables out of site and take the coastal path down to the beach. Again check tide times or be faced with no beach and no sunshine. A few hundred yards on is the “Hells Mouth” beauty spot with a café for refreshments.

Fishermens used to be my local naturist beach and I have fond memories of three old guys who had used the beach for years. All in their late seventies they were a familiar site perched by the rock face taking every bit of sun available. In the bay are three offshore rocks which were markers for their daily swim. 1^st rock, 2^nd rock and 3^rd rock all much too far for most of us to swim to but these old guys braved the cold water nearly every day and put us all to shame.

Another splendid beach is the 3 mile long Perranporth beach where at the far end called “Penhale” is another popular naturist spot. After a spot of trouble a few years ago the beach is now ok to use so long as you do not stray into the dunes owned by the military. It’s a long walk from the town but there is a shorter route by driving through the holiday camp midway along the beach. Be sure to buy a parking ticket from reception or be faced with a hefty fine. On a fine day marvel at the paragliders hovering overhead or the surfers in the great surf pounding the beach.

For naturists who want a completely naturist holiday in Cornwall there is only now the excellent Southleigh Manor close to Newquay. They now have some log cabins in addition to the static caravans but also take tourers and campers.

Carbeil at Downderry also have caravans to rent and are close to the C/O beach.

Others may prefer just to rent a secluded cottage or farmhouse with a private garden and some with pools and hot tubs.

Wherever you plan to stay in the West Country you are sure to find a warm welcome and plenty to see and do.