I've realised I've mentioned this beach in various posts over the years but never started a specific thread for it. On the few days in a year when it's warm enough and the wind is kind, it's one of the best beaches in the world. We've been going there since 1988. Search for it in the forum to see my previous posts about it in other threads.
The car park is free, with an honesty box, and recently improved toilets that are only open 10-5 daily. Some days there's an ice-cream van. There was a portakabin cafe, which was removed last autumn (2021) with signs saying a proper building would be erected, but there's no sign of that yet. We've always been able to park, even on a sunny Sunday.
From the car park the beach stretches miles in each direction. At high tide it's all shingle. At low tide there is a vast expanse of sand and shallow (cold) water.
Most days, the "crowds" stay in front of the car park. A few anglers and walkers, with or without dogs, venture 10 minutes or so either side. Beyond that you're unlucky if there's anyone within 1/4 mile of you. At low tide the beach is so wide that you can usually skirt round anyone by 200 yards or so and remain nude, in fact it's as well to do that rather than let them think you're "in their face" with so much space available.
More in a later post - I've just been called to dinner!
From the car park, we walk north. I strip off as soon as I feel comfortable. Mrs F usually keeps her summer dress on until we reach "our" spot about 30 minutes walk away. This Monday & Tuesday (record heatwave days) we were there early (9.30) nobody much was around, and we were both nude within a couple of minutes of the car park.
From "our" spot we can keep an eye on any other beach users and pick our moment to walk naked further up to Gutterby, about 2.5 miles from Silecroft. Very rarely there has been another male nudist or two. We've never seen another naked female - what a shame!
You can also walk south towards Haverigg, but there's a golf course overlooking the beach (no problem if the tide's way out). We used to go that way sometimes but prefer the north side. Between Haverigg Prison and the beach, in the dunes, is Lakeland Outdoor Club, a nude camping site for members. A couple of times we've been down there and been approached by a friendly member suggesting we join, but they have NO facilities (not even fresh water) so you really need a well-equipped motorhome or caravan, and that's not our thing. Also, they seem very shy about being seen, which is strange these days, scooting off into the dunes when others approach. I guess they had hassles in the past.
The only real disadvantage is the weather. We were so lucky in the three good summers of 1988-90 that we went there a lot. Most years we do have to watch the weather forecasts carefully and try to have no commitments on the suitable days. With the distance we walk, we don't want to be carrying bulky stuff like windbreaks. The main thing is to have enough bottles of water, which we put in clumps of sea-kale for shade, with driftwood on top.
We have been seen nude by textiles, but usually from some distance, and have never had a problem.