We went into the family pub naked – the patrons were outraged, but we didn’t do anything wrong
The shocked pub-goers went into rage when a couple came in completely naked to eat and drink.
Dissatisfied customers at The Railway in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, were left unable to touch their food after seeing nudists settle down at the bar.
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Scathing complaints were posted on TripAdvisor by families who felt the couple’s naked presence in a restaurant full of children was inappropriate.
An angry customer stormed out of the pub and wrote: “We went to the pub tonight (Friday) at 6pm for dinner.
“While ordering drinks, a couple walked up to the bar naked, which came as a shock to everyone in the pub.
“We expected the barman would refuse to serve them.
“There were several families with children in the pub, including us, so it was not appropriate to serve them.”
“We decided to leave the pub and have dinner somewhere else in town. Unfortunately another family could not attend as they had already ordered food.
“If you advertise as a family pub, you should uphold these values.
“Locals who frequent the pub apologized to us, but staff seemed to think it was fine.”
“Very disappointing.”
Another viewer, who took her parents to the pub, fumed: “Horrible. If you want to go to a family pub with average food and staff serving a naked man accompanied by a naked woman then this is for you.
“I took my parents with me.
“Outraged.”
Unsurprisingly, this reviewer gave The Railway a paltry star.
The inclusive pub, however, was undeterred by all the negative opinions – the staff knew about the arrival of the nudists and welcomed them.
Neil Cox, 34, and Danielle Quiggan, 35, called ahead to ask if they could dine at The Railway.
Once they realized it was legal, the pub staff explained that they accepted the booking as a “learning experience”.
Neil and Danielle were off to Cornwall for a weekend getaway and made their way to Bunham-on-Sea.
The day before their arrival, they were also spotted naked in a Bristol pub while strolling through Clifton Downs.
Neil explained Somerset Live: “During our break we were naked most of the time.
“Where I live there are shops, grocery stores and pubs that I go to regularly and they accept that I am naturist.
“We don’t think the response on TripAdvisor reflects what actually happened at the Burnham-on-Sea pub.
“We had first inquired at the pub and received their permission to visit.
“It was a new place and people weren’t expecting it and there was a certain surprise when we first walked in.”
“We sat in the corner of the pub and ate.
“People quickly got back to their drinks and got on with their day.”
“After all, it gets boring quickly when two naked people sit in a bar corner and have a beer and a burger.”
The 34-year-old from Cheshire even said some people stopped to chat and ask for a photo.
Neil, a veteran naturalist, completed a 1,000 mile naked bike ride across the UK for charity with friends last year.
And he is used to a number of reactions related to his lifestyle choices.
“We also stopped in Bristol on Thursday night and went to a pub there and got no reaction at all that we were naked,” he explained.
“I have visited over 500 shops, bars and other establishments naked and to my knowledge none of these visits have ever resulted in a single negative review.”
“Danielle and I are deeply saddened that in 2023 an individual attacked a small business trying to demonstrate acceptance and tolerance.”
A Railway Inn spokesman said: “We have received both negative and positive comments which we have taken into account.
“However, naturism is legal in the UK and we pride ourselves on inclusivity, embracing the individuality and differences of everyone.”
What are the nudity and decency laws in the UK?
In England and Wales, the two laws most likely to apply are Section Five Public Order Act 1986 and, for aggressive nudity, Section 66 Sexual Offenses Act 2003.
Here are the official texts of the laws:
Section 5: Public Order Act 1986
A person commits a criminal offense when they “make threats”. [or abusive] Showing words or behavior or disorderly behavior, or displaying threatening writing, signs or other visual representations [or abusive]within hearing or sight of any person who is likely to be bothered, alarmed or alarmed by it.”
Section 66 Sexual Offenses Act 2003
A person commits an offense when they “deliberately expose their genitals with the intention that someone will see them and thereby cause fear or distress”.
A person guilty of an offense referred to in this section shall, on summary conviction, be sentenced to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the maximum imposed by law, or both; punishable by imprisonment for up to two years if convicted on the charge.
NATURIST LAWS IN GREAT BRITAIN
Is it illegal to be naked in public?
- British Naturism has published Public nudity guidelines in England, Wales and Scotland.
- Nudism is the act of undressing in a non-sexual manner and is legal.
- The guide states: “UK law is clear that nudity in itself is not criminal unless there is a sexual context or intent to cause distress and distress.”
- Although it is not a criminal offense to be naked in public in England and Wales, it can become a criminal offense in certain circumstances.
- Similarly, there is no law specifically against public nudity in Scotland, but incidents can be classified as ‘an offense against good morals’ and ‘an offense against the public peace’.
- According to the Crown Prosecution Service, “a balance must be struck between the naturist’s right to freedom of expression and the general public’s right to protection from harassment, alarm and distress”.
Famous Arrest
Steve Gough, also known as the “Naked Rambler”, has been behind bars almost continuously for years for refusing to wear clothes in public, in court or in prison.
In all, he has been convicted of walking naked for around 17 breaches of the peace since he first made headlines in 2003 when he walked naked from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
The eccentric ex-Marine consistently denies the allegations against him, claiming that the courts’ order to wear his clothes violates Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
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