At first glance, Broadland Sun, surrounded by Norfolk woodland, looks like any other campsite in Britain, with empty pitches, static caravans and bell tents for holidaymakers to rent.
Except that nobody is wearing clothes – including the staff who greet you. That’s because Broadland Sun is a members’ club nudist site, run by a naturist committee since 1935.
We spoke to former warden Austin Redgrave, along with the current temporary warden Tom Gilks, who revealed what it’s like working there, how guests deal with the cold – and why there’s a launderette.
The role of warden is the only staff position at Broadland Sun and Austin notes that ‘day to day’ it involves ‘being on the campsite, looking after the facilities – toilets, shower blocks, maintaining the pool – cleaning and looking after holidaymakers’.
So far, so normal. However, unlike other campsites, the warden is permitted to be in the buff.
Broadland Sun Association campsite (above) is a members’ club nudist site. MailOnline Travel spoke to former warden Austin Redgrave, along with the current temporary warden Tom Gilks, who say nudity is expected when on the campsite – except for when it’s too cold
Austin comments: ‘There are lots of rules – the swimming pool and the sauna and the sunning green are exclusively nude areas.’ Seen here – guests enjoy the pool at Broadland Sun
Austin explains that he spent 50 per cent of his time in the job nude.
He continues: ‘I tried to spend as much time doing things naked. I greeted customers naked. That didn’t bother me. I lived the lifestyle and got involved in it.
‘However, there is a reality to it – some of the jobs… you can’t be naked.
‘There’s a bit of etiquette, to be honest. So, if I was cleaning the toilet, I wouldn’t do that naked because if I ended up in a cubicle and a guest walked through the door behind me – they’d have that facing them, so, you know…’
And how much time do the customers spend naked?
The majority of the time – and nakedness is enforced – though exceptions are made for the weather.
Austin comments: ‘There are lots of rules – the swimming pool and the sauna and the sunning green are exclusively nude areas.
‘It’s not a clothing-optional site – the official rule is that when it’s clement weather, nudity is expected. If it’s 30 degrees outside and you’re walking around in jeans and a T-shirt there’s an issue with that and you’re probably not there for the right reasons.
‘The rest of the site is, sort of, temperature-based. If it’s five degrees Centigrade outside, you can put some clothes on because it’s cold.
Broadland Sun also offers members access to a fishing lake, petanque court, miniten – a tennis-like game created by naturists – badminton courts, a TV room, pool table, darts and a clubhouse
Tom, the temporary warden, says: ‘I believe that at a naturist campsite, people have more freedom than they would in a hotel’
‘Nobody wants to be naked in that sort of temperature – but there are the hardened ones. You’ve got people who will stick it out in weather that will make you shiver, and they’re still walking around naked. And, that’s great to be honest, all power to them.
‘But, ultimately, if you’re shivering and you’re uncomfortable then why wouldn’t you put some clothes on for warmth? A lot of people will put on ponchos, or women wear sarongs.’
Tom adds: ‘The great British weather [means] some days are not days to be naked.
‘Plus, a lot of our members and visitors do like to dress in the evening when going to a social [event].’
It’s for these reasons that the campsite has a launderette available to guests, which may come as a surprise to ‘textiles’ [non-nudists], who assume that there’s nothing to wash.
As well as the pool, sauna, sunbathing lawn and laundry, Broadland Sun campsite offers members access to a fishing lake, petanque court, miniten – a tennis-like game created by naturists – badminton courts, a TV room, pool table, darts and a clubhouse.
Members pay £201 per year for unlimited daytime access to the site.
Austin says: ‘I tried to spend as much time doing things naked. I greeted customers naked. That didn’t bother me. I lived the lifestyle and got involved in it’. Above – guests enjoy the site’s woodland walks
However, non-members are also accepted at Broadland Sun – and it’s proving popular with first-time nudists.
Pitchup.com – an online booking site – has ‘changed the demographic of people who come and stay’ at Broadland Sun, says Austin.
He notes: ‘It’s introduced a lot of new people to naturism – people sit at home scrolling, see it and gently nudge each other saying “should we give it a go”, and they end up coming here and absolutely falling in love with it.’
Young people are also being drawn to nude holidays, despite naturism having a grey-haired reputation.
Austin comments: ‘I think the demographic of the campsite is slightly older, but we’ve seen a massive increase in young couples staying with us.’
But, what is it that attracts people to the campsite over a traditional resort?
Tom says: ‘I believe that at a naturist campsite, people have more freedom than they would in a hotel. Plus, we are a dog-friendly site and people do not need to get dressed to walk their dog!’
