SHOCKED pub goers were fuming when one couple walked in for a meal and drink – stark naked.
Unhappy punters at The Railway, in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, couldn't touch their food after seeing the nudists settle in at the bar.
Scathing complaints were plastered on TripAdvisor by families who thought the pair's nude presence was inappropriate in a restaurant full of children.
One fuming customer stormed out of the venue and wrote: “We visited the pub this evening (Friday) at 6pm to have dinner.
"Whilst ordering drinks a couple walked up to the bar naked which was a shock for all in the pub.
“We expected the barman to refuse to serve them.
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"There were several families with children in the pub, including ourselves, therefore it was not appropriate for them to be served.
“We decided to leave the pub and find somewhere else for dinner in town. Unfortunately another family were not able to as they had already ordered food.
“If you advertise as a family pub you should maintain these values.
"Locals who frequent the pub apologised to us, but the staff seemed to think this was OK.
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"Very disappointing.”
Another onlooker, who had taken her parents to the pub, raged: “Appalling. If you want to go to a family pub with average food and staff serving a naked man accompanied by a naked woman then this is for you.
"Took parents.
"Outraged.”
Unsurprisingly this reviewer only awarded The Railway a measly one star.
But, the inclusive pub was unfazed by any negative opinions – staff were aware of the nudists' arrival and welcomed them in.
Neil Cox, 34, and Danielle Quiggan, 35, had called ahead to ask if they would be allowed to dine at The Railway.
Pub staff explained when they realised it was legal, they accepted the booking as a “learning experience”.
Neil and Danielle were away for a weekend trip to Cornwall when they ventured to Bunham-on-Sea.
The day before their arrival they were also spotted naked in a Bristol pub and taking a stroll on Clifton Downs.
Neil explained to Somerset Live: “During our break away we were naked most of the time.
"Where I live there are shops, grocery stores and pubs where I go in regularly that accept I am a naturist.
“We don’t think the reaction on TripAdvisor was reflective of what actually happened in the pub in Burnham-on-Sea.
“We had checked with the pub first and got their permission to visit.
"It was a new place and people were not expecting it and there was an element of surprise when we first walked in.
“We sat in the corner of the pub and had our meal.
"People quickly went back to their drinks and got on with their day.
“After all, two naked people sitting in a corner of a pub having a beer and burger quickly becomes boring."
The 34-year-old, from Cheshire, even said some people stopped to chat to them and ask for a photo.
Neil, who is a seasoned naturalist, completed a 1,000-mile naked cycle ride across the UK with friends for charity last year.
And, he is used to a range of reactions surrounding his lifestyle choice.
“We also stopped off in Bristol on Thursday night and went to a pub there and received no reaction to us being naked at all," he explained.
"I’ve made over 500 visits to shops, bars and other businesses whilst naked and as far as I’m aware not one of those visits has ever resulted in a single negative review.
“Danielle and I find it deeply saddening that in 2023 an individual has attacked a small business that is trying to demonstrate acceptance and tolerance.”
A spokesperson for the Railway Inn said: “We have received both negative and positive comments which we have taken on board.
"However, naturism is legal within the UK and we pride ourselves on inclusivity and welcome everyone’s individuality and differences.”
What are the nudity and decency laws for the UK?
In England and Wales, the two statutes most likely to be applicable are Section Five Public Order Act 1986, and for aggressive nudity Section 66 Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Here are the official wordings of the acts:
Section Five Public Order Act 1986
A person commits an offence if they “use threatening [or abusive] words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or display any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening [or abusive], within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby.”
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Section 66 Sexual Offences Act 2003
A person commits an offence if they “intentionally exposes his genitals, and intends that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress”.
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both; on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.
NUDIST LAWS IN THE UK
Is it illegal to be naked in public?
- British Naturism has published guidance over public nudity in England, Wales and Scotland.
- Naturism is the act of going without clothes in a non-sexual manner, and it is legal.
- The guide states: "The law in the UK is clear that nudity itself is not criminal, unless there is a sexual context or intent to cause alarm and distress."
- Although it is not an offence to be naked in public in England and Wales, it can become one in certain circumstances.
- Similarly there is no Scottish law specifically against public nudity, but incidents can be classed as “offending public decency” and being a “breach of the peace”.
- According to the Crown Prosecution Service "a balance needs to be struck between the naturist's right to freedom of expression and the right of the wider public to be protected from harassment, alarm and distress".
Famous Arrest
Steve Gough, aka the Naked Rambler, has been behind bars almost continually for years for refusing to wear clothes either in public, in court or in prison.
In all, he has been convicted of around 17 breaches of the peace for walking naked since he first hit the headlines in 2003 as he walked from Land’s End to John O’Groats naked.
The oddball ex-marine always denies the charges against him, claiming that courts ordering him to put his clothes on breaches Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights.
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