Woman who went to one of UK’s biggest swingers' festivals reveals what really happens there
It's that exciting time of year again when swingers start to count down on their calendars and prep for the biggest few days of the year.
Don't worry, it's not Christmas yet - but there will be plenty of folks sitting on another man's lap and telling them what they want at Britain's biggest swingers' festival.
The lifestyle, as it is sometimes referred to, has become increasingly popular in recent years as people apparently grow bored of monogamy and open up their relationship to others.
While some folks prefer to be a cuck or a hot-wife, and some even take their swinging to television, others head to luxurious Lincolnshire for a spring sex festival.
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The Sun's 'Sexpert' Georgie Culley recently visited the festival for the third time for their bank holiday weekender.
The event ran from Friday 1 May to Monday 4 May, and tickets were £120 for the full weekend.
Culley revealed what actually goes on behind the scenes, suggesting that it isn't the sex with random strangers that the couples enjoy the most.
She said: "People presume that if you’re a swinger, having nookie with a sexy stranger is the most exciting part – but they’re wrong. Every swinger I’ve met tells me how the ‘best sex’ is actually when they reunite with their other half for the first time after sleeping with someone else.
"This belief is SO widespread among the community that they’ve actually coined a phrase for it – ‘reclaim sex’. For many couples, hearing what their partner got up to with someone else is a HUGE turn on."
While a woman who attended last year's festival was waxing lyrical about the various sex areas and the bits that were on show throughout, Culley stressed more about the rules and relationships that people form with other swingers.
Not everything has to be sexual, as she suggests that people will regularly go to the pub or out for meals with people that they swing with, while swingers are also more likely to practise safe sex than someone who sleeps with a stranger on a night out, for example.
Culley writes: "Contrary to common belief, the lifestyle isn’t just about sex. A lot of these events are very social and there are times when you actually forget you’re at a swinging party – and then turn to the side and spot a group disappearing into a playroom."
So, if you're desperate for someone to go to the pub with and you don't know where to find a friend, maybe this swingers' festival is a good place to start?
If you are genuinely considering it, there's still a couple of months to go until Swingathon's main summer event. It takes place over the weekend of 16 to 19 July, and tickets cost £230 for a single ticket and £270 for couple's entry.
Strict rules of UK swingers' festival
Not just anyone can attend - The festival says attendees must 'have a deep understanding of what the festival is about' and 'are active within the lifestyle'.
IDs and verification - The festival explains: "Every single person is checked and verified and has provided ID to ensure the safety of all festivalgoers." To verify attendees, the festival looks at websites like FabSwingers and SwingHub, as well as taking into account recommendations from regular attendees and club membership.
Photos - 'Photography and mobile phones are not permitted anywhere in the festival without prior permission', for obvious reasons. However, you can take pictures inside your own tent.
Dress code - Festivalgoers are 'free to wear whatever they feel comfortable in', with the festival explaining: "There is usually a mix of everything from club wear/fetish wear to onesies. If you want to get naked, you can do that."
'NO means NO' - Any person found to be 'following, grabbing or pestering' someone will be asked to leave, as well as anyone displaying aggressive behaviour.
Breakdown of couples and singles - The festival said in 2024 that they make an effort to balance the guest list with three couples per single male.
Topics: Lifestyle
James Moorhouse