Looks like a nice walk and not far from J26 of the M5. Must remember if I'm ever over that way.

What to do about the valuables? I've been using a ruck sack but its big and gets sweaty. I think the answer is a small shoulder bag. I have a Tumi shoulder bag but its not skin friendly at all. Ideally it would be made out of something nice like suede with a suede or leather strap and with the option of a short handle for carrying by hand. Here is one option but the price is ridiculous!

Any ideas anyone?

i use a shoulder bag i got at a boot sale... think its supposed to be a laptop bag... main compartment takes minimal clothes ,camera lenses , water bottle etc..  tother bit takes wallet , phone and car keys and remains securely zipped for the walk .   

would love to do a naturist walk in the plymouth area if anyone is doing one.

I think the answer is a small shoulder bag. I have a Tumi shoulder bag but its not skin friendly at all. Ideally it would be made out of something nice like suede with a suede or leather strap and with the option of a short handle for carrying by hand. Here is one option but the price is ridiculous!

Any ideas anyone?

I have a bag of similar size and style to that which I bought in River Island this spring. Cost just under twenty quid as I recall. Still more than I really wanted to spend but far better value than £250!

Argos also carry a selection of bags and the cheap Rip Curl canvas bag I bought there is a good size for carrying a few light clothes plus camera, wallet, keys, phone etc. As a bonus the colour of the bag makes it easier to hide if I should decide to stash my belongings while I have a skinny dip. The picture below was taken at Derwent Reservoir (Co Durham) last week, the bag is between the two larger rocks, close to the right hand one.

Have fun,

Ian.

Fairweathersailor

I walked the path that you refer to in your report a few weeks ago as part of a longer route.
 
I set out from Hemyock walking various footpaths with a view to reaching the Wellington Memorial.  I walked the whole section of your route, from the south, nude and didn't see a anyone.  I must have been lucky because I walked naked most of the way along the road too, without seeing any cars, towards the Wellington Memorial car park where I did cover-up.

I continued up to the Memorial, where there were too many people about to be nude,  and returned via Culm Davy forest/hill which is ideal naked walking territory.  I returned to Hemyock via the road.

I'm intrigued by the idea of walking completely naked, I assume your suggesting the idea of  not carrying any cover-up?  To make it absolutely perfect I would want to try walking barefoot as well.  As far as I remember there was a lot of grass and soft ground along this route and not too many stones.  I wonder if it may be possible to park at the south end of your path and walk north?  The road to the south is very quiet.

I've never really found anywhere that I would feel 'safe' in being completely naked (other than the beach) but would love to.

As regards car keys, I've used a thick rubber band around my wrist and just slip the single car key under that when walking minimalist style.  Everything else can be put in the boot of the car out of sight.  If I know I'm going walking and will be leaving the car somewhere quiet I leave money, wallets and valuables at home.  I stick my credit card under one of the floor mats and hope it won't be found.  Of course it could be a bit difficult if the car is stolen and your left at the roadside stark naked!

Ha.  The more I think about it the more this may be worth giving a try.  A 3Km walk completely naked through the countryside on a nice warm day next spring - there's something to look forward to.

Fairweathersailor

...I'm intrigued by the idea of walking completely naked, I assume your suggesting the idea of  not carrying any cover-up?  To make it absolutely perfect I would want to try walking barefoot as well.

...<snip>...

I've never really found anywhere that I would feel 'safe' in being completely naked (other than the beach) but would love to.

...

Ha.  The more I think about it the more this may be worth giving a try.  A 3Km walk completely naked through the countryside on a nice warm day next spring - there's something to look forward to.

Something I do regularly Martin... I truly liberating experience! 🙂

http://www.naturist-corner.co.uk/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1285924800

Mark

I have walked totally clothes free a couple of times and agree it is absolutely exhilarating.  But, those walks have been really quite limited in time/distance.  I've walked on beaches but somehow that's not the same - in a way nudity is expected/accepted.  It's the open countryside that appeals.

In my part of the world you never seem to know who you're going to come across round the next corner/in the next field.  I was marching along one day in what I thought was the middle of nowwhere and nearly walked straight into a school party who were sitting (surprisingly) quietly taking a break!  Even on the commons and on Dartmoor when you think you're alone, along comes someone.  If the area is remote I don't bother to cover-up but I feel I need that option if required.

The other issue is parking.  Most car parks and the immediate surroundings are well used, often by dog walkers and 'strollers'.  So it's difficult to actually walk away from the car.  I'm not too keen on the idea of stashing my clothes somewhere - you never know whose going to pass by and think 'Ahh, what's this'.  Even if they just pick your stuff up they may leave it elsewhere and that would make life uncomfortable.

I've just read you post about your walk yesterday (3 November) and am extremely envious.  Woods, streams open country, no clothes, warm weather, perfect.  It almost makes me want to move.

Perhaps if someone has found a route in the SW where they can leave the car and walk totally clothes free (much like the route described above) they can hint at where this spot may be please.

Martin

Here's a short, linear walk you can do without much chance of upsetting anyone. It's about 1.5 km (so that's really 3 km, as you have to return). It's mostly in or near woods, but there are two fields to cross where farms are visible - though quite distant across the valley. Not a lot of exercise to be had or time spent over this distance, but you could stop for a picnic!

These coordinates are taken from OS Explorer map 128:

North end of footpath: ST138168. Park in the car park (ST143167) for the Wellington monument and walk westwards along the road to the footpath entrance on the left.

South end of footpath: ST138152.

I did the walk from the north end, but the road is quite busy and not pleasant to walk along. Next time I'll try it from the south. If there's truly no-one else around, I should be able to park the car in the limited space right by the footpath and leave my clothes there. Still have to carry the wretched key, though. Sod's law says that if I hide it in the undergrowth a squirrel will run off with it!

Wow...that is so weird seeing a description of a walk i've done a few times and an area around Wellington monument i've visited regularly for walks after work as it's right on my way home (about 5 minutes drive away!). To be honest it's never entered my head that it should be a good place for naturist walks but FairWeatherSailor's put the thought into my head now! I can't believe that there can't be other great opportunities around the Blackdown hills or Exmoor. It'd be great to read about some recommendations to muse over before the spring.

It'd be great to read about some recommendations to muse over before the spring. 

Check out the Somerset Strolling Bears section, we have regular walks in both areas you mention.
Today I was even walking nude in Dunster Forest
Don

Bit nippy was it Don?...i mean i'm pretty warm blooded but...all year round? Not sure about that... 😮

I've applied to have a look at your other site though. I'd certainly be glad to find out more about your walks.

One of the beauties of nude walking is that, within reason, you can do it anywhere.  Perhaps when Simon T visits the Wellington Memorial after work there are more people about.  When I visited recently it was mid-morning on a weekday and there was one small group of people who were leaving as I arrived.  I was able to wander about the monument naked, for quite some time, before continuing my walk.

It's a bit like the walker at Sidmouth  mentioned in my post yesterday under 'media'.  He was walking close to a car park and on a popular 'gentle walk/lovely views' circuit on a Saturday morning in the middle of the school holidays.

Do the same walk on a weekday, during term time and after the dog walkers have been out for their morning exercise and you won't see anybody.  I know because I've done it and I wouldn't do it at the week end.

Over the years I've walked in what may be considered unlikely places quite successfully while naked and haven't been spotted.  I think you have to make the most of opportunities and sometimes plan ahead.

It's much easier to strip off in the summer when people are only wearing shorts and tee shirts anyway - you do look a bit strange in just shorts at this time of year.  But, as Don has shown, it is perfectly feasible to walk naked all year round.  You do have to pick your days though.

Martin2,

I think that is good advice, particularly as to the time of day, day and time of year and checking out a walk in advance. I think also just adding a degree of common sense in choosing a route or area is sensible.

Thanks to Martin and nat. I'll bear that in mind next time i go walking in those parts. It's true that I don't think i've been there when there has been no cars in the car park (bar mine), but then i've always been at prime dog walking time!

We (Somerset Strolling Bears)  have facilitated several walks in this area and are nude most of the time until we reach the inhabited area of the monument and the road up to it which is often heavily infested as most times. A cover-up garment is usually all that is needed and then we toddle off for pasties and creame eggs 🙂 A single walker is often 'sensationalised' while a group of walkers are seen as 'quaint'.