Blackthorns Sun Club

Blackthorns is a naturist club founded in 1959 which has owned its own woodland grounds since 1969, at Pippin Wood in the Bedfordshire countryside near Sharnbrook, a few kilometres from Bedford. It is a members' club run by volunteers: there is a heated outdoor pool open from April to October, where swimwear is not allowed, a clubhouse with a large kitchen for dinners and evenings with music or quizzes, a communal barbecue lit almost every Saturday and a kiosk at summer weekends; in winter there is a sauna-and-dinner evening once a month. Sport plays a big part, with miniten, pétanque (the club has hosted the national championship several times), badminton and minigolf, and there are woodland paths. Nudity is the rule when the temperature allows, but first-time visitors can take their time. Singles, couples and families with children are welcome, but the club keeps a balance between individual and couple or family memberships and only takes on new members when there is room: those coming alone may have to wait. Pets are not allowed, except assistance dogs. It is not a campsite open to the public: you visit by appointment to get to know the club and then, if you wish, join; in August, during the shared holiday week, many members stay on site in caravans or tents.