Fraisthorpe naturist beach near Bridlington Yorkshire

Fraisthorpe was a naturist beach set in Bridlington bay about three or four miles from Bridlington itself.

Our understanding that it’s days as a nudist beach had been over since around 2009 and now this lovely natural beach was used by holidays visitors and dog walkers.

However, we received this email on 26th May 2018 which caused a bit of confusion:-

Dear Sir, Madam, concerning this beach and nudity. We (nudists ) mostly male

at this site are being victimised by the local council. The police are touring the beach and taking names and addresses of men mainly in the nude. I believe that

the Bridlington council have taken this course due to the gay men. The council will not admit this as we all know, if they did all hell would break lose. The gay lobby

would have a field day. And rightly so. All people have a right to pursue there hobbies, life choices ( providing that these are with in the law ) . We must try and do something

to reverse this situation. I believe that the council are persecuting all male nudists because of a small minority ( of gay men ) that have abused the use of that beach. I have been using this beach as a nudist for more than 30 years. I drive 156 miles (return) to use that beach and I do not want to lose the enjoyment I get from being nude with my fellow nudists at Fraisthorpe beach. Is there a chance that we could start some form of action on Bridlington Council to have this ghastly action by the council stopped. If we can lets get going on this problem. I for one would be willing to help out in anyway I can.

I would be most grateful if someone at your organisation could reply to this e mail with any advise that you may have that may help.

I remain

Yours Faithfully

Mr DF

(Name supplied & on file but not published)

* * *

The reason why we at Nudist UK were so perplexed was because we were under the impression that there had been signs erected since 2009 or even before, advising that the beach was no longer naturist. There had been a bit of history where the original nudist beach was frequented by ‘Doggers’ and perverts.

The police and local councils had cracked down on this, but as a result lots of innocent naturist’s had seemingly lost the use of the beach despite plenty of protest. This information came from various comments on the internet.

So clearly, taking the above letter into account, it appears that naturist’s are still using the beach. As the law stands there is no law against public nudity unless it causes offence, distress or alarm. (Please see the public order act 1986 and the sexual offences act 2003 for more information) so it will be interesting to find out why the police and council appear so interested in this beach.

We first thought that perhaps this was something that British Naturism could take up, but we decided to do some further investigation first.

So the first point of enquiry was Bridlington council who we contacted on 29th May 2018 who advised us that it was nothing to do with them and referred us to Barmston and Fraisthorpe Parish council, who in turn referred us to East Riding of Yorkshire council.

They explained to us that they had had tenure of the beach at Fraisthorpe but had “handed it back” to a company called Carter Jonas, who are a land management company for on and behalf of the Crown Estate.

We spoke to a representative from Carter Jones and he has promised to update us further. We’ll let you know what happens, if anything.

However, the good people at Barmston and Fraisthorpe Parish Council said that Fraisthorpe had been a nudist beach since the 70’s but because of disturbances from young people on bikes, people ogling, and complaints it was decided to stop naturists using the beach sometime around 2009 so it is definitely not a designated nudist beach official or otherwise. They said there may be confusion because the warning signs that prohibited naturism were continually being washed away.

So now we will wait to see what the people at Carter Jonas have to say.

*******

We received this update on 20th November

Confusion over nude use of the beach.

Naturist use of this beach dates back to just after the war (and possibly prior to this). It had “official status” granted by the then local Council (following Brighton and then Scarborough) but local opposition caused the new East Riding Council to drop that designation in 1994. Ambiguous signs were erected some years later indicating that naturist use was no longer allowed and suggesting it being illegal.

Local police action followed harassing beach users and on two occasion the 12th and 13th July of 2003 (circa 200 naturists on the beach) the police helicopter was involved and a police team on foot took some personal details. No further action was taken by the police or CPS. This however allowed a formal complaint to be made to Humberside Police. They responded promptly acknowledging that this beach “is frequently used by naturists and has been used for this purpose for some time now. Further they went on “…. it is not our intention to take any stance that would disadvantage responsible individuals who wish to carry out naturist activities in a quiet and dignified manner”. They did however indicate an awareness that some sexual activity had prompted complaints from the public and they retained the intention of investigating any offences reported.

Liaison with Humberside over the following months opened a dialogue to assist in avoiding any further difficulties but the actual legal position of public beach naturism had at that time yet to be clarified by the new legislation (The Sexual Offences Act 2004). By the spring of 2004 however it was accepted by the police that Fraisethorpe was a place of traditional naturist recreation and as such public nudity there was not unlawful (See appendix below). Again the proviso was retained that any legitimate complaints by any member of the public, including naturists would be investigated by the police.

It is accepted by the naturist community that some individuals do visit an area adjacent but geographically well apart from the naturist area, as commonly used but that the assumption should not be made that the two groups were one and the same.

Humberside Police did express some frustration at the ambiguity of Council erected signs juxtaposing a statement about the beach no longer being designated as a naturist venue and a statement asserting that any acts of indecency would be reported. This has led to confusion of some individuals who subsequently complain to the police, a complaint they feel obliged to investigate.

This was the situation that pertained and as I understand it pertains to the present. I did not know of the problems encountered by your correspondent Mr.D.F. Neither I nor any contacts using the beach have had a similar experience.

If details an be passed to me I will investigate

Appendix of publications supporting evidence of traditional naturist use:

– personal statement by “Eddie” 85yo beach user since 1976

– 1981 Bridlington Holiday Guide, Bridlington Council publication.

– 1987 “Free Sun” Phil Vallack

INF “Naturist Holiday World Site Directory”

JH. (Full name on file.)

Does this clear it up for you? Let us know

Either comment below or email us at

info@NudistUK.com