About BN

British Naturism (BN) is the UK’s internationally recognised organisation for naturism and exists to unite and support naturists, to protect naturist places and provide more, make social nudity more acceptable across the UK and to provide comprehensive information on naturism and naturists around the world.

See here for a full list of BN's Aims.

British Naturism came into being in 1964 when two societies – The British Sunbathing Society and the British Federation of Sun Clubs merged. We are the UK’s only member of the (INF) International Naturist Federation, which exists for similar reasons to us, but acting and operating across the world. BN is one of 30 member federations in Europe, North & South America and Australasia and INF also has correspondents in ten other countries, including some in Africa and Asia.

We have approximately 12,000 individual members and over 100 sun clubs and swim groups who support the aims of the organisation through their subscriptions and receive certain other benefits in return.

British Naturism is a volunteer organisation which means that any members (subject only to a minimum period of membership) can stand for election to the Executive Council (EC), the equivalent of our board of directors. We operate with reference to our constitution, which can be modified and updated at our AGM, at which all members may attend and vote.

BN works hard to raise the public profile of naturism, through media work and by lobbying local and national government.

In May 2010 we launched a Three Year Plan providing a framework for all of our work and services to naturists everywhere.

Who runs British Naturism?

As mentioned above, the organisation is run by elected volunteers and a small, paid staff at our Head Office in Northampton.

The Executive Council (often referred to as the “EC”) is currently made up of 16 individuals all of whom give their time for free, although they can claim expenses for travel and other items. The EC is our board of management and meets 4 or 5 times a year to discuss the issues, administration, marketing and finance of the organisation, forming strategies and policies as a result. 8 of those elected are regional representatives, one from each of our regions. Only members in that region get to vote for them. The others have a specific area of responsibility - President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Sports Officer, International Officer, Youth Officer, Public Relations Officer and Research & Liaison Officer and are elected by the membership nationally. All 16 have one vote each at meetings. If it wishes, the EC has the power to co-opt a member if a post is unfilled at election time. Some posts provided for by the constitution are currently unfilled, but the EC has chosen not to co-opt anyone at present. All posts are elected for 2 years with roughly half the posts being elected each year to avoid wholesale change in personnel and ensure some continuity after the AGM.

A Members’ Representative – not an elected post - is appointed by the President to be a point of contact, information and advice to members living in the region they serve. Generally, each region has one, some two, and the Representatives are often people who are on the EC. There is no limit to the time they can serve, in fact, they often only change when a Representative decides not to continue.

Child Safeguarding

It's an important area, but, despite perceptions, there are relatively few incidents. Our Child Safeguarding committee meets regularly to keep our policies, processes and learning up to date.

Click here to read a statement from former President Pat Thompson on child safeguarding issues.

Click here to view our official statement and 'code of practice' on child safeguarding.

Click here to read our child safeguarding policy.