Police Issue Rules To Follow If You're Sunbathing Naked In Your Garden

Brits are being warned by authorities about choosing to sunbathe nude in their own gardens.

You wouldn't put much thought into stripping off and avoiding getting tan lines while frolicking about freely or lounging in your own private garden.

However, police have warned sunbathers that there are still certain rules you must follow even if getting at one with nature within the comfort of your own home.

Section 66 of Sexual Offences Act 2003 warns that people who want to be naked in public should do so in a way which doesn't cause 'distress or alarm'.

The Crown Prosecution Service stated: "In the case of naturism a balance needs to be struck between the naturist's right to freedom of expression and the right of the wider public to be protected from harassment, alarm and distress."

Police have since advised sunbathers to 'be careful' if they're planning to sunbathe naked in their garden but are 'overlooked by neighbours'.

"An Englishman's home is not quite his castle and your garden is not exempt from the law," they said.

While authorities noted that in an 'ideal world' hopefully police wouldn't be called by a neighbour if they spotted you 'gardening in the buff,' they added that 'in the real world' it's best to take some 'simple precautions'.

Precautions could include sunbathing behind a screen, or finding a corner of your garden which is less overlooked.

"You will have to decide whether your desire to be naked in your garden is more important to you than being on friendly terms with those around you," police reflected.

As long as it's clear you mean no harm or distress in displaying your naked body and letting your bits hang freely then you should be fine and avoid running the risk of breaking any laws.

Members organisation British Naturism added: "There is no law against being naked in public, and so stripping off and enjoying the sun on your skin in your own garden cannot lead to arrest nor can your neighbours make you cover-up.

"Being neighbourly might mean you tell your neighbours that you plan to sunbathe naked but there is no obligation to do so, so don’t hesitate.

"Studies have shown that spending time naked is good for you and so we encourage everyone to take advantage of the wonderful weather and celebrate their uniqueness."

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock

Topics: UK News, Weather

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.