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Original poster

To think the RSPB shouldn’t say if you don’t want to see naked men stay away from the woods/public footpaths?

269 replies

CovidCorvid · 07/08/2021 14:26

So 2 years ago I visited Sherwood forest and was by myself in the forest when I came across 3 naked men. Which was a little unsettling for a woman by herself. It was in a quieter part of the forest so at that moment nobody else about and I hadn’t seen anyone for a while. On a public footpath.

I spoke to some (clothed) men about it further along the path and they said it’s a common occurrence and that the police are frequently getting called and tell them to get dressed.

It’s in the news currently as larger groups of naked men have been seen again. Seems the main areas they stick to are managed by the RSPB who seem to be encouraging it. The land may be managed by the rspb but they’re public footpaths, not a pay as you enter nature reserve. The bit I actually saw the men in wasn’t the rspb bit but there’s no fence/demarcation between them.

RSPB say if you don’t want to see naked men then stay away! Ffs. Why is it the naked men get to ruin things for other people? The police say it’s illegal if someone is offended. 🤷‍♀️

www.visitsherwood.co.uk/plan-your-visit/naturism-on-rspb-reserves/

OP posts:
WouldBeGood · 07/08/2021 14:58

Oh, no, YANBU

This would freak me.

GCAcademic · 07/08/2021 14:58

Ew, imagine the places you could get ticks 🤮

crackofdoom · 07/08/2021 14:58

I’m surprised that no one else seems to be getting how unsettling it is to be confronted by a naked man when you’re out walking on your own. Or how the lines between naturism/ exhibitionism/ indecent exposure frequently seem to be deliberately blurred by these people.

Original poster
CovidCorvid · 07/08/2021 15:00

@SoundBar

If it was clearly marked like a nudist beach would be then I could say they had the right to be naked.

But if there's no clear warning signs then I would have to say it's inappropriate.

The nudists have to give people who do not want to see them, a fighting chance to stay away!

Yes, that’s the difference.
OP posts:
WouldBeGood · 07/08/2021 15:01

You never hear of groups of women doing this. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I can get unsettled by meeting clothed men when I’m out alone in the country, never mind naked ones. It’s just weird.

LemonFantaGin · 07/08/2021 15:02

I mean naturism is a real thing, a lot is to be accepted in this day an age, if you know there are naked people in this area, then I agree with them, stay away from the areas that naturism is acceptable, being naked does not mean they are going to cause you any harm they are just living the life they wish to, airing all of their 'um graces.

Blossomtoes · 07/08/2021 15:04

You never hear of groups of women doing this

You don’t know that women are naturists? I find that very difficult to believe.

StarfishDish · 07/08/2021 15:07

@WouldBeGood

You never hear of groups of women doing this. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I can get unsettled by meeting clothed men when I’m out alone in the country, never mind naked ones. It’s just weird.

Of course women do it!!
WouldBeGood · 07/08/2021 15:07

Of course I know women are naturists. But not reported as wandering round randomly like these men.
Roaming about naked in public spaces is just weird and thoughtless, or designed to intimidate. Why on earth would people do this when it upsets others?

I think in real life and not MN most people would agree with you @CovidCorvid

LubaLuca · 07/08/2021 15:09

If you look at yesterday's newspaper reports on this, you'll see it is women as well.

badpuma · 07/08/2021 15:10

There is no issue at all with naturists using long established naturist spaces and extending those into other clearly marked areas so that people who do not want to see naturists can avoid the areas.

If they're wandering around public footpaths at random throughout a whole country park (not just the naturist area), does that make them flashers rather than naturists?

idontunderstandbananas · 07/08/2021 15:11

I often walk in the woods alone with my dog and I would feel quite unsettled to stumble upon a group of naked men. I probably would not go back to the area tbh. So if the RSPB (who have paid membership?) are saying 'don't want to stumble upon naked people then avoid this area' they have to accept that some people will avoid the area I doubt RSPB will mind if a few people avoid the area. The only thing the RSPB likely care about is if their funding is affected OP. Thanks for raising the issue because I had no idea there were nudist areas within RSPB land.
There is a nudist colony? in an area I walk but it is walled all around and although I can hear people the other side I can't see them, they can't see me and there is no access to or from the encampment except through a clearly marked entrance.

ChainJane · 07/08/2021 15:11

It's perfectly legal as long as they don't intend to cause alarm or distress (the intention is the important thing). Basically just "being naked" isn't a crime provided they are not doing anything that would be illegal if they were clothed.

I find your idea that it would be less concerning if they were naked in a busy area by the cafe though - that would make them more likely to be up to no good, not less. Generally if people want to go naked they will do it with consideration for others and pick a quiet area because they know some hysterical people will get offended by the sight of a human body.

Currently the law means you can be naked anywhere, just as you can be clothed anywhere. Perhaps if there were more designated areas, especially big designated areas, there would be more of a case to have areas where nudity was prohibited too. In general though I think nudist areas are out of the way and often relatively small.

ChainJane · 07/08/2021 15:13

@badpuma

There is no issue at all with naturists using long established naturist spaces and extending those into other clearly marked areas so that people who do not want to see naturists can avoid the areas.

If they're wandering around public footpaths at random throughout a whole country park (not just the naturist area), does that make them flashers rather than naturists?

No it doesn't make them "flashers". Flashers expose themselves for sexual pleasure and are therefore breaking the law. Naturists walking on a public footpath are doing nothing illegal, because they're just walking and happen to be naked.
Blossomtoes · 07/08/2021 15:14

Just googled it. Ah well, I guess it makes a change for a MN thread to be nicked from a news story rather than the other way round.

clickychicky · 07/08/2021 15:14

Do they wear shoes?

Original poster
CovidCorvid · 07/08/2021 15:18

In general though I think nudist areas are out of the way and often relatively small.

I think if it was out the way and a relatively small area I wouldn’t have an issue with it. It was a quieter area than the main trail to major oak but I wouldn’t say it was off the beaten track. If they stayed in the budby bit like the map suggests they should be doing I’d just avoid that but they’re not doing.

It just makes me nervous to go back. I’m sure most nudists are harmless. Though I do think there’s more than an element of exhibitionism and a thrill from it when doing it in places where they know they’re likely to come across non nudists. The issue now it’s been in the press is any local pervert will now think they can come and flash in the woods and get away with it. One local woman says she recently walked past a naked man openly wanking.

OP posts:
Original poster
CovidCorvid · 07/08/2021 15:19

@clickychicky

Do they wear shoes?
Yes, and hats and rucksacks.

They must get some chafing! It was a hot day when I saw them and they were all overweight (as I am). I can’t help but wonder how they prevent chub rub! 😆

OP posts:
SixesAndEights · 07/08/2021 15:24

My ex husband was a naturist. When we used to walk in our local (very extensive) woods he'd be naked (in nice weather) and have something to cover up if we met anyone (very infrequent).

If there were no signs anywhere, perhaps they had wandered out of the naturism bit by mistake.

Jaxhog · 07/08/2021 15:30

It's about a mutual respect. I'll respect their areas if they respect other people's. They may think it's perfectly natural to scamper about a forest naked, but most people don't, and they should respect that.

FreeBritnee · 07/08/2021 15:32

Is Naturism protected by law? It seems very odd for them to ‘tolerate it’ unless they were legally obliged to. They are again I suppose they’d rather not pay someone to manage it so would rather you just tolerated seeing naked people abd not cause a fuss 🙄🙄

lljkk · 07/08/2021 15:32

Reasonable to ask if RSPB could put up some signs to advise visitors that RSPB has an allocated area that allows naturists to do their thing.

The Naturists could fund-raise to pay for the signs, and help choose wording that is respectful to their lifestyle while notifying people who don't want to encounter their lifestyle to choose a different way to go.

FreeBritnee · 07/08/2021 15:33

@SixesAndEights

My ex husband was a naturist. When we used to walk in our local (very extensive) woods he'd be naked (in nice weather) and have something to cover up if we met anyone (very infrequent).

If there were no signs anywhere, perhaps they had wandered out of the naturism bit by mistake.

We’re you naked alongside him?
TheFutureIsUncertain · 07/08/2021 15:35

Clearly marked and advertised places for naturists is OK, so rules and expectations are clear in advance.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 07/08/2021 15:37

I live nearby and about two years ago was walking in the forest with DS (8) and we saw a group of around 8 naked ramblers. This was within a couple of minutes walk from the Major Oak on a busy school holiday weekend. I have no issue with naturists but uts undeniably exhibitionism to choose such a family orientated area on a busy weekend - there are plenty of quiet woodland areas locally they can walk. I didn't feel threatened but had I been alone on a quiet day I can see that I might have been. We go often and it has put us off veering from the main path which is a shame as I can walk from my house through the forest.