I paid my bucket list visit here on the wonderful Wednesday 15th April, hottest day so far, and the earliest I have stripped off outdoors. The Watford bound bus from St Albans drops you right at the end of Lye Lane with the stop announced on a screen. Surely it has to be the most accessible club in the UK?! The M25 junction is just a little further on, but aside from a distant hum you will never know it. Not only that, but the bus had power points and leather seats. In the north you are lucky to get seats. A five minute walk up the lane brings you to Spielplatz on the left. A ring of the bell outside, gates open, name and address filled on a form with payment and it was all there to enjoy for a day. I arrived about 9.45, so not much sign of life aside from one gentleman uncovering the lovely pool. He assured me the natives tended to roll out about 11am. I did a quick exploratory of the vintage clubhouse which I loved on first sight right down to the tea and coffee stuff on a table inside with an honesty dish. All it needed was Miles Malleson sitting outside shelling peas.*
So it was an action packed day of not doing very much. Lounger, books, mp3, chat, swims, and even singing some 50s/60s vintage stuff with a young professional singer/songwriter on a guitar by the pool with a beer as it hit 75 degrees. A ridiculously good day, which couldn't have been any better if I had planned it. Did a walk around of the chalets. All quite different. I can see the appeal of the place. If ever you get really fed up to the back teeth of the outside world, and let's face it, we all feel like that at times, this is a prime bolt hole.
By the afternoon there was around 20 people around on the two sunbathing lawns. Quite a few in their own gardens. Half I would say were visitors, and a nice mix of ages including a young family. Outside until 7pm, then moved into the clubhouse with the good sized sauna which was extremely efficient. Not one of these infra red nonsenses. In fact, on a day like that, too hot. Had a break to eat a quiche and salad from the kitchen and bought a beer from the bar. Left at 9pm. Clubhouse very busy, not sure if it would be like that every night as it was my good fortune that the sauna was open on the Wed night, but a good craic.
So what next for them? I m sure they will find a way forward to break away 'just' from the residential moniker and to inject new blood. They are doing that with the YBN visits and other things. I think for sheer atmosphere, it can't be beaten. The history is tangible and every British naturist would recognise it as something unique. The shock of going back into the real world was awful to be honest.
I loved it, and would love to go back. I would love to live there actually.
*I'm All Right Jack, 1959.
'I figure life's a gift and I don't intend wasting it. You never know what hand you're gonna get dealt next.' Titanic.'Shine as a glow worm if you cannot as a star.' Thomas Andrews, shipbuilder.
'We'll miss the matinee but we'll make the night show.' The Greatest Show on Earth 1952.
Sounds like you had a great day
>I paid my bucket list visit here
Also been on my list for far too long.
Thanks for the detailed report.
It has made me more determined to visit.
8)
Simon
Great write-up, Brigitte. This sounds like the Spielplatz we know and love.
🙂
Doug & Rodica
Great write up Brigitte and agree with all you say! It was great meeting you too, just a shame it was as I was heading out!
Jez, fully house-trained laid back guy looking for like-minded friends! Let's connect - drop me a line!
Thank you Brigitte
Great report.
Will be off there as soon as sunny.
Below a couple of emails I have had with Spielplatz
You are very welcome to visit for the day. It's £15 per person for a day
visit and reception is open 7 days a week, 9am till 5pm. You don't need
to book, just turn up. Please bring some photo ID or your current club
membership card with you.
Hope to see you soon
Kind Regards
Janet
Reception at Spielplatz
You don't need to leave by 5.00. You can stay as long as you like.
Wednesday and Fridays we have sauna evenings with hot food and licensed
bar available, so you can certainly stay for these. At weekends lunches
are served in the clubhouse, with Roast dinners on Sundays. Snacks,
tea/coffee, cold drinks etc. are always available on a self service
basis. Let me know any other questions.
J&HFriendly Naturist couple
Applause to Spielplatz for being so straightforward and hassle free.
'I figure life's a gift and I don't intend wasting it. You never know what hand you're gonna get dealt next.' Titanic.'Shine as a glow worm if you cannot as a star.' Thomas Andrews, shipbuilder.
'We'll miss the matinee but we'll make the night show.' The Greatest Show on Earth 1952.
If there was a "like" button I'd push it! 😀
Boundaries are there to be stretched!
Spielplatz is our favourite local naturist venue because we have always found the staff and residents to be very welcoming and friendly. My wife & I have spent some of the most relaxing clothes free days at Spielplatz. The tranquility on the lawns among the trees are so rejuvenating.
The Milton Keynes Naturists Meet & Greet Group occasionally hold their socials at Spielplatz because there are facillities to keep everyone entertained and the participants are always made to feel so welcome.
Roy & Yvonne Snell
Nude is not rude
Unless you're a prude
Big thumbs up from me too for Spielplatz.
I visited twice in 2015 - for my first time visits to this tranquil oasis.
Both days were midweek and pretty quiet with up to approx. 10 visitors each time.
Everybody I met were friendly and polite. It was also very easy to arrange the visits.
Loved the pool and it was great to have a stroll around the whole area.
Looking forward to going back in 2016.
Ah! Spielplatz, my first club in the 60's it only cost 10 shillings to get past the lady on the gate. Her name escapes me - something like Dolly I think. I remember that she had married her school teacher. I spent many happy hours there sun-bathing and using the homemade see-thru plastic sauna when I should have been doing my college homework.
We are determined to visit this year. But said last year but good weather and able to go never coincided. Same was true for YSS. Perhaps we just need to harden up?
J&HFriendly Naturist couple
Perhaps we just need to harden up?
That's a rare statement from a Yorkie!
I really should have been born on a tropical island
Originally a soft southerner!
J&HFriendly Naturist couple
ah - that explains it!
I really should have been born on a tropical island