I live in a naturist camp just outside the M25 with 50 people who are nude all day!
“I can be nude any time I want.”
Tom Dryer-Beers is talking to “Nude Is Normal” about his life at Spielplatz , the UK’s longest-operating naturist resort that’s situated just off the M25 in the village of Bricket Wood in Hertfordshire.
A professional life model for many years, Tom moved to Spielplatz – German for playground – nine years ago and lives there with his wife, Victoria.
He explains: “We used to visit naturist places because it’s such a lovely experience. We love the sunshine and being outdoors and it’s just a lovely social occasion. We dipped our toes for several years before we came to Spielplatz and realised there was an opportunity to enjoy the lifestyle without having to travel.”
While residents at Spielplatz have the opportunity to be nude whenever they like, it isn’t compulsory, explains Tom.
He says: “You’re free to choose whether to wear clothing or not. Most people will take advantage of the warm weather whenever it comes up. People tend to feel temperature differently so everybody takes part as they wish.”
Tom is one of around 50 permanent residents at Spielplatz but the resort also has seasonal occupiers who live in caravans or chalet homes while they’re there. The season tends to run from April to the end of September.
Keen naturists can also visit Spielplatz for the day with Tom explaining that guests tend to “lounge about the place” enjoying the resort’s “lovely swimming pool and licensed bar”.
But while Spielplatz is keen to encourage new members, there are also some pretty stringent rules to keep out any “voyeurs”, explains Tom.
He says: “We do ask that if any visitors come, they give evidence of having had naturist experiences before, because we are looking for people who know what it is like to respect the movement and the residents.”
“It’s for everybody’s safety and security. There are people who don’t understand naturism and don’t respect those who just enjoy being socially naked with friends and we don’t want them visiting.”
When a person applies to visit Spielplatz, Tom says that the reception team will ask them to demonstrate their commitment to naturism.
This could be membership of the British Naturism Society or evidence of having visited other naturist resorts around the world.
Tom says: “If they have no background of that, they should come as a guest of someone [who lives here] as we are not looking for voyeurs.”
Spielplatz also has an electric gate to provide security but Tom says “the community generally doesn’t have much trouble at all with people”.
He explains: “We tend to have neighbours who respect this place and are actually quite grateful we’re here because we’re good neighbours.”
To find out more visit the Spielplatz Website.
