Naturist Swimming for Londoners and London Visitors

 

Everybody has what it takes to be a naturist. That's ... nothing at all, apart from the birthday suit you were born with ! And now, at last, London again has a place where you can do exactly that.

Detailed information of the new unisex naturist swim (and sauna, hot tub and gym) in Central London is below. But first, let's make sure you properly understand what naturism is about. Also some additional information that might help if you're considering trying it for the first time.

You may have been brainwashed by your ancestors or peers into thinking that being naked is inherently sexual or something to do with porn. The reality is the complete opposite. 

A properly organised naturist event will be totally non-sexual. There will be no pornographic or improper activity. It will be just you and other enlightened people, together enjoying activities without the artificial barrier of clothing. That has to be experienced to be understood, but for many the question is why they never tried this before. 

Some people like to swim, others like the sauna, the steam room, the hot tub or the gym equipment. Some like them all, and move frequently between them. Some like to stop and talk.

NAKED SWIMMING IS EASY.
JUST GRIN AND BARE IT :)

A small towel, just big enough to sit on, is usually required for sauna and other seated activites. If it's your first time, you may also want to carry a larger towel as you move between activities, but that towel is mainly there only to give you that initial confidence.  

On your first visit, a good idea might be to go in the pool first. There you'll experience everybody around you enjoying themselves and you can start to do the same. After a few minutes you will probably forget you're naked. Then you can forget the bigger towel even when moving about, unless the venue requires you to pass through areas shared with non-naturists.

HOW DOES A NATURIST SWIM EVENT DIFFER FROM A PUBLIC BEACH?

Public beaches may not be the best place to try naturism for the first time. Beaches vary, but non-naturists cannot be excluded from a public UK beach. At the more accessible beaches some people there may not understand what a naturist beach is intended for. That could include taking photos or do something sexual or otherwise improper,

A naturist swim or other event will probably be a better place to experience naturism for the first time.

An organised naturist swim event will usually be in a private place that has restricted public access. Ideally look for one organised by a group that's a member of British Naturism (but in many cases, you don't need to be a BN member yourself to take part in an organised naturist swim). It is likely to have rules that allow only non-sexual activity, no cameras or mobiles permitted. Unless otherwise stated, it is likely to prohibit non-participating visitors. They may have occasional clothing-optional sessions, but most will require everybody fully naked in some or all areas including the pool.

SHOULD I GO BY MYSELF, OR SHOULD I GO WITH FRIENDS?

That's entirely up to you.

If a friend seems interested, then you may choose to go together (or even, with a bigger group) for the first time. Make sure they know that they will be going to naturist event and that they understand that properly organised naturism is entirely non-sexual.

Many people prefer to try naturism on their own first. Often, for the first time it's easier to feel comfortable being naked with naturist strangers, rather than with somebody you know. Some of the people you meet may also be trying naturism for the first time.

It's unlikely at a well organised naturist event, but if anybody does anything you think is improper, discuss it immediately with the organiser.

 

NATURIST SWIMMING IN LONDON

Opened in May 2025, London Naturist Circle is currently the newest place in London with regular unisex naturist swimming sessions. It's close to Tower Bridge and also has a sauna, steam room, hot tub and gym equipment, all exclusively for naturist use during its Saturday and Sunday evening sessions.cc

To register for your first booking

• Visits must be booked in advance to to limit attendance to safe numbers.
• Use this link to go to London Naturist Circle's booking site.
  

• After reaching the site, use the Request Access button under the New Users heading, then follow the instructions on the site.

• More information here or click on the pool.

 

You may also read about a pool called Energybase in the Hackney/Stratford area. Sadly you can't trust journalists, web sites and publications to check their information is up to date. Energybase has been closed since 2019. It was hosted by London University in conjunction with British Naturists and was London's only naturist swim for many years.

OTHER NATURIST SWIMS THAT ARE ALMOST IN LONDON

Just outside London, there is Watford Naturist Swimming Club. Though not geographically in London, it's served by London's underground network. But it could be quite a long journey unless you're in one of the Northern boroughs. Meetings are Friday evenings and include sauna and steam room -- details at wnsc

. Those with a London Freedom Pass who ignore National Rail and go by Overground (to Watford Junction) or Metropolitan line (to Watford Underground) get free travel.

There was until recently Noahs Ark just outside London in Ewell. That too was reachable by London's underground, tram and buses. Again it could be quite a long journey unless you're in one of the Southern boroughs. Sadly its regular pool has been sold for development so is currently closed. Noahs Ark hopes to find a new venue -- see https://noahsark.jimdofree.com/ to follow their progress.

FURTHER AFIELD

Here are some UK swims that we know about, but please check with the organiser to make sure they are open and to make arrangements for your first visit.

SEE ALSO

• British Naturism
• Great British Skinny Dip  
• BBC Naturism articles 
• Outdoor swimming in London (note: as far as we are aware, none of these have any naturist sessions -- an obvious missed opportunity)

PLACES TO AVOID

• Commercial spas that are not British Naturist members and do not very clearly forbid sexual or inappropriate activity
• Venues whose terms and conditions require you must consent to being photographed for publicity purposes, unless it's a special free day specifically for promotion or there is an obvious and clearly communicated method to opt in or out (eg by coloured armbands).

NATURISM IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY

Naturist events are entirely non-sexual. If you're looking for something sexual, none of the above are for you.