As I sit writing at my desk, I’m looking out of the window across a lawnmwhere an oak tree is bathed in early morning sunlight. A bright blue sky and the sound of birds chattering away to each other provides a lovely backdrop.
A couple walk by and wave at me. I wave back. They’re not wearing a stitch – and neither am I.
It’s not a figment of an overactive imagination or a sequence from a bizarre dream. Nor am I on holiday at a beachfront resort, where such an occurrence might be considered more likely.
Instead, I’m at home, in the UK.
Welcome to Spielplatz, located in a landscaped 12-acre site in Hertfordshire, not far from St Albans and close to the M25 and M1.
Please don’t conclude that this is a wacky, new, 21st century idea created with the aim of living ‘off-grid’, or for some ecological or environmental higher purpose, or just to be able to ‘commune’ with nature amid the strife of modern life. In fact, Spielplatz will be receiving a telegram from the King in only three years time.
Charles Macaskie and his wife Dorothy purchased the property in 1928, inspired by a burgeoning health and well-being movement in Germany (the name gives that away) and took an unusual step for the time towards creating a healthier and happier life in which to bring up their family.
They were soon joined by others and a community of like-minded people grew.
Andrew Welch lives at Spielplatz, a naturist resort that’s close to the M25 and M1
Andrew (pictured above) first discovered naturism on a beach at age 14
Three other venues started in this area around the same time and three of the four are still going strong today.
Naturism in the UK has been around much longer than people imagine, even with the unreliable and often poor British weather.
Ah, yes, the weather. ‘Isn’t it a bit cold for that sort of thing in the UK?’ you ask.
Well, yes, a great deal of the time it is, but nudity isn’t mandatory.
You must be nude to swim in the large outdoor pool, to relax in the heat of the sauna, or sit in the bubbles of the Jacuzzi, but the rest of the time, it’s up to you.
When the warmer weather arrives you’ll find residents doing some weeding, painting a shed, or washing the car, with nothing on, or – much more sensibly – stretched out naked in the sun on the village green.
A clubhouse with bar plays host to monthly social events, often with a disco, and by the end of the evening, even in the winter, most chairs are draped with piles of discarded clothes.
Just do as the mood takes you.
And if you think that naked dancing – or naked anything – leads to obvious (ahem) embarrassment, then you can put that thought out of your mind.
Andrew (second from left) appeared on This Morning naked opposite Eamonn Holmes
‘It’s been a stimulating and sometimes wild ride,’ he says
It is a completely non-sexual environment and the nudity – despite what you might think – quickly becomes unremarkable.
I first discovered Naturism on a French beach when I was 14.
It would be more correct to say first ‘saw’ Naturism as I didn’t really participate until my early twenties. But once I did, a whole new world opened up for me.
I’ve since made it my career, providing marketing and PR services to a variety of Naturist businesses including British Naturism, the UK’s organisation for Naturists and Naturist places.
It’s been a stimulating and sometimes wild ride, including once sitting (starkers) opposite Eamonn Holmes (who was clothed) on the This Morning sofa.
One of the most exciting – you might also choose to say ‘irritating’ – things about life is that you never know what’s coming next.
I never imagined this is where I would wind up, and I certainly hadn’t planned to live here but a relationship break-up forced a move.
I’d met many Spielplatz residents and members on Naturist group holidays that I’ve hosted over the years and looked into renting somewhere here over what I hoped would be a long, hot summer.
Andrew says that moving to Spielplatz (above) ‘felt like the obvious and perfect next step’
‘But there are houses for sale…,’ I was told. A permanent move for me was a no-brainer.
After over 40 years of being part of the Naturist community, half of that time making my living from it, moving here felt like the obvious and perfect next step.
I well remember the excitement of my early years of Naturism when I was behind the wheel on the way to a club, beach, event or holiday, not quite believing my luck in having found this thing that so enriched my life and about to immerse myself in it again.
Nowadays I wake up in it.
I’m a millionaire, even if my bank manager would tell you otherwise.
Some 97 years on, and with a huge amount of work done by the pioneers and many people since, Spielplatz is essentially a Naturist club, one of around 120 in the UK.
Many of them have land, passionately cared for by members giving them an idyllic escape from the rigours of daily life.
Others hire municipal swimming pools or leisure centres on a regular basis for dedicated skinny dipping sessions.
Spielplatz is protected by a gate (pictured above). Andrew reveals that the camp currently has a ‘few houses for sale’
‘You must be nude to swim in the large outdoor pool (pictured above),’ says Andrew
Usually-clothed venues have even begun to host their own nude events to exploit a new wave of interest as the age-old taboos around nudity erode.
Around 60 people live here year round, with others taking plots that they can use for up to nine months of the year.
Other members pay an annual subscription and come and go as they please, and we are joined through the summer by day visitors and campers.
A few houses onsite are currently for sale.
There is still a great pride here about the pedigree of the place and it’s not just for historical reasons.
Charles and Dorothy’s daughters eventually took over the running of the gated resort and have since passed the baton onto three of the Macaskie’s grandchildren who live here and are mainstays of the site management and community.
It’s green and peaceful but, despite the rural setting, suburban streets and houses fringe our borders.
Watford’s not far away either and London is a mere 30-minute train ride away.
The nervous newcomer to social nudity – enjoying the atmosphere, tranquility, and the welcoming, easygoing company of people who have found something that enhances their life – are often heard to say, ‘Why didn’t I do this before?’
Perhaps you’ll say that too if you pay us a visit…
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .