UK Nudist Beaches

Brighton (Kemp Town)

East Sussex

Official beach on Brighton's city seafront. Very popular. No shade or cover - very open. Lots of tourists. Pebble beach. Easy access.

General

This city beach is a short walk from Brighton town centre. It is a shingle beach at east end of Brighton's sea front promenade (in Kemp Town, close to Brighton's Marina). Officially opened in 1980, this is one of the best known, most accessible, most public naturist beach in the UK - and with some consequent problems. Not, perhaps, the best environment in which to try naturism for the first time.

Access & Parking

Satnav: BN25U (Marina car park)

Brighton may be reached with ease by all main means of transport. On reaching the seafront, turn left (east), go past the pier, and continue towards the marina. After Peter Pan's playground, cross the tracks of the minature Volk's Railway on to the beach.

"As you face Brighton pier, turn left and walk along the beach or road, until you come to bushes/park on your left. Directly on the right is the beach and the nudist boundary. If you walk along the road, you will have to cross over the railway line at some point (the Volk's Railway)."

"I think the following might be of use to other first time visitors. Drive towards the sea front and look out for 'To the marina' signs. Follow signs for the Marina or drive East (Left as you face the sea) through the centre of Brighton along the sea front keeping in to the right hand traffic lane. You will see signs for the Marina Village. Take this lane and then keep to the left lane as you do. Drive into the marina area and you are faced with a 9 level multi storey car park. When coming out of the car park, head out towards Asda and climb the stairs by the car wash. The beach is then in front of you. With the marina at your back walk West to the beach. The nudist beach is a few hundred yards from there and at the first stop of the little railway."

There is pay parking on Madeira Drive (the beach road), or park in the Marina, which has a large car park (4 hours free, but beware very tight turns if you have a longer car) and an Asda.

Description

The beach is shingle/ small pebbles, with consequent discomfort. Sandles are useful (especially if swimming), as it something to lie on. No shade. Sand by the water's edge at low tide.

Facilities

Every facility you could possibly want - and more -can be found in Brighton. None are accessible, of course, without dressing. An Asda, a Wetehrspoons, and serveral restaurants in the Marina

Official Designation

Situated to the east of Palace Pier between Peter Pan's playground and the marina, this short stretch of Brighton's pebbly foreshore entered the history books in 1979, when it was designated an official clothing-optional beach.

A vociferous "No" campaign was unable to persuade Brighton councillors that bathing in the altogether was a disgrace and, following a trip to the site by a working party, the 59-strong Tory controlled-council passed the proposal.

The campaign for Brighton's nudist beach was led by Councillor Eileen Jakes and, as a result, she was accused of "pandering to weirdos and perverts".

"I was told I should be ashamed of myself and that I was a horrible lady," said Ms Jakes, who got into naturism during holidays to the south of France.

Fellow town councillor John Blackman said the beach was a "flagrant exhibition of mammary glands".

"I personally have no objection to people showing their breasts and bosoms and general genitalia to one another," said Blackman. "Jolly good luck to them, but for heaven's sake, they should go somewhere more private."

Brighton's deputy Mayor Alfred Feld said: "It is a bold move ... but we feel we are just moving with the times".

Water Quality

The Environment Agency says: "Brighton Central bathing water typically achieves a high water quality standard. Surface water drains which discharge at various locations along the Brighton foreshore can lead to a lower standard of water quality after rainfall."