I took my first naturist visit to Lavernock beach yesterday, having seen 1 man naked there several months ago.
I got there around 2pm on the hottest day of the year yet and there were a total of 4 people on a beach nearly 2Km long. So i set myself up under the cliffs about 300m from the path down and directly under the holiday park. Then had a quick swim.
A fantastic beach and by far the nearest naturist beach to Cardiff. It is probably best not to go too close to the Sully Island end (large family oriented pub) or stay to close to the path down at Lavernock point.
As a local I've been to this beach many times with friends, never nude though. This past week however I have been out walking alone to make the most of the good weather, and found myself wandering towards Lavernock. The first day at about 3pm I walked along the length of Penarth beach which was deserted past the sea wall section near the pier, and took some time under the cliffs to sunbathe a bit, before putting on shorts again to head towards Lavernock. When I got there the beach was empty save for a family at the base of the entry path from the Lavernock point car park, and a couple walking a dog far down towards Sully Island who eventually started swimming themselved (in costumes). I hadn't planned to strip off and go for a swim but the opportunity was too good to miss, especially since I hadn't yet done any sort of public nudity like this.
I was concious of the caravans/ holiday homes parked at the top of the cliffs, but figured I was too far away at the edge of the low tide for any detail to be seen, along with the fact that it shouldn't matter if I'm seen or not. I took a dip and afterwards picked up my bag from the sandy area to walk towards the cliff base to sit and dry off, before realising that a fossil hunter had been hidden in the cliff's shadow by the sun shining directly in my eyes. I stopped where I was and sat down so as not to seem as if I was walking directly towards him, before getting dressed and returning home.
I went again today with the intention of going swimming, later due to the heat so about 6.30pm and there was only one fisherman set up around halfway along the beach between the holiday homes nearest the cliffpath entrance and sully island. I had expected it to be a lot busier due to the weekend, school holidays and the heatwave, but was happy that it wasn't. I felt a lot more confident this time, i had unknowingly timed it to the lowest tide level so there was a fair bit of distance between the nearest dry rock area where I left my bag and towel and the edge of the water, and though I could hear voices sat outside the holiday homes on the cliff I walked straight into the water and swam for about 20 minutes as the sun started to hide behind the cliff. A great feeling, especially as I had not yet swam nude other than quickly slipping my shorts off and back on in the water once.
Hopefully the quietness continues through the next week of great weather and I can continue, otherwise I will bring my trunks as backup.
I found Lavernock disappointing. Monknash, not too far away is more vast, more beautiful and less textile populated. I think that Monknash is also more beautiful.
Yeah I’m definitely aiming to get out to Monknash as soon as I can - only passed my driving test about a month ago so hopefully I’ll have a car before it gets quite chilly again
I went down again today around 6pm and was happily surprised to see a few other sunbathers, one of them naked which really put me at ease. After taking a short swim I lay naked for the first time, and didn't feel the need to cover when people walked past (there were only two couples in the hour and a half that I was there).
My new naked comrade seemed to be doing yoga or stretches of sorts right at the tide's edge, and remarked that "It's fantastic here" in a German-ish accent as I walked past to go home. I regret not stopping for a little chat. Part of me wonders whether he comes on this forum or any others too.