Country
United Kingdom
Reviews
No reviews yet
Family friendly
Yes
Season
April to September
About Spielplatz
Spielplatz is a private naturist club in woodland at Bricket Wood, on the edge of St Albans in Hertfordshire, and is widely described as the longest-running naturist resort in Britain. It was founded in 1929 by Charles Macaskie and his wife Dorothy, who began by camping on a plot of woodland they had bought; a 1957 ITV documentary featured the family, and the club is now run by Macaskie's grandson, Grant Kelly, through the company Spiel Platz Ltd. Its 10 acres are a mix of lawns and shaded corners, with homes along gravel paths where around 50 permanent residents live. Facilities include a swimming pool, a hot tub and a clubhouse with a licensed bar, which hosts social events such as fancy-dress nights. Visitors can come for the day in season, camp or glamp, or take out an annual membership. The atmosphere is that of a small, settled community rather than a holiday resort: management vets newcomers, and the club describes itself as run by naturists for naturists and family-oriented. Another long-established naturist club, Fiveacres, is in the same village.
Legal context & local rules
Nudity is lawful on private premises in England; Spielplatz is a gated private site.
Public nudity in the UK is not inherently illegal, but is regulated under common law (outraging public decency) and Sexual Offences Act 2003 § 66 (indecent exposure). The key legal threshold is "intention to cause harassment, alarm or distress" or conduct that would "shock or offend" a reasonable person. Simply being nude in public is not a crime; the context and intent matter. British Naturism provides guidance on safe practice within law.
What’s here
Getting there and visiting
Spielplatz is on Lye Lane, Bricket Wood, St Albans AL2 3TD, in the countryside south of St Albans; the address is given when booking. Day visits run from 1 April to 30 September by prior appointment only: arrive between 10:00 and 13:00 and leave by 19:00. Book by email (information@spielplatz.co.uk) or phone (01923 672126). Visitors must follow the club's 2026 visitor-member code of conduct; newcomers are screened. Prices were not published on the pages checked.
What visitors say
A 2025 magazine feature portrayed a calm, accepting, slightly old-fashioned community where long-term residents socialise in the clubhouse bar, and noted that membership has fallen since its 1960s-70s peak. Residents and staff stress that newcomers are vetted so that people come for naturism rather than to stare.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Before you go
- 1 Check the current local rules and access conditions before travelling.
- 2 Bring a towel and sit on it when using shared seating.
- 3 Never take photographs of other people without clear consent.
- 4 Respect the venue’s clothing, privacy, and behaviour rules.
Location
⌖View this place on the map
51.7294, -0.3286
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Spielplatz for the day?
Yes, from April to September by prior appointment. Arrive between 10:00 and 13:00 and leave by 19:00.
Do I need to be a member?
No, day visitors and campers are accepted after booking. Regular visitors can take out an annual membership.
Is it family friendly?
The club describes itself as family-oriented.
Is it open all year?
Day visits are offered from 1 April to 30 September; contact the club about other times.
Sources
- Spielplatz Naturist Resort (official site)
- Huck: Where did all the naturists go? (2025)
- Wikipedia: Spielplatz
Researched 24 October 2026 .
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