Can you sunbathe naked in your own garden and is it illegal in the UK?
OPPORTUNITIES to sunbathe in the UK can be scarce so it's understandable that some people might want to make the most and sun themselves naked in the privacy of their own garden.
But if you're wanting to strip off in a bid to avoid tan lines, or just like sunbathing in the nude in general, there are some considerations you'll have to make before taking in the rays.
Is it illegal to sunbathe naked in your garden?
It is not an offence to be naked in public which means it is not against the law to be naked in your own garden in the UK.
However, all that changes if your actions alarm or distress those around you.
The actual law states: "In the absence of any sexual context and in relation to nudity where the person has no intention to cause alarm or distress it will normally be appropriate to take no action unless members of the public were actually caused harassment, alarm or distress (as opposed to considering the likelihood of this)."
Barrister Lynette Calder told The Sun that this means it's fine to be naked in your own garden - as long as your intent is not to harass or distress whoever lives next door.
She said: "Unless you are in contravention of section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 - ie 'intentionally exposing your genitals with the intention that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress - then there is no specific rule against nudity in the UK."
The best way to ensure you don't end up in hot water with the police while enjoying the UK sunshine is to exercise some caution.
It's also worth considering that somebody may ring your doorbell during your nude sunbathing sessions.
It is not illegal to answer the door to your home in your underwear or walk around the house without clothes on but if the nudity becomes a regularity, and if your neighbours complain to the police enough, then they may take action against you.
What have the police said?
Back in 2018 the police told the that it is best for people to be "discreet" when sunbathing without their clothes on.
This means it's probably best not to go if you have neighbours who can see into your garden - and also rules out stripping off when you're in your local park.
They also told that under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, "it is not an offence for a person to appear naked in public but it becomes an offence if it can be proved that the person stripped off with the intention to cause distress, alarm or outrage".
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How can you get around it?
If you are determined to enjoy the hot temperatures in the UK in the nude then you will have to be in a garden where you aren't overlooked to ensure there are no legal issues.
Glasgow mum Jessica Rampant, for example, revealed to The Sun in June 2023 that she built a fence around her garden so she could enjoy sunbathing topless in private.
If you are certain your neighbours won't get offended then there is perhaps less of an issue.
The advice is still to let your neighbours know ahead of time to avoid any awkward situations, such as TikTok user Lisa Bennett, who faced complaints from her neighbours after sunbathing topless in the June 2023 heatwave.
Of course, those living in the countryside or a remote location will be fortunate enough to be able to sunbathe without worry.
There are also a number of nudist beaches in the UK that will gladly accommodate naked sunbathers.
Aside from upsetting your neighbours, there are a number of potential dangers associated with sunbathing.
Doctors have warned that millions of Brits are not protecting themselves properly with sunscreen.
A May 2023 report revaled that one in 10 said they rarely use SPF while one in 20 say they never do so - despite advice to apply it every day.