Abbey House Gardens Clothing Option
A group of people that have been to or are interested in visiting a beautiful garden venue in rural Wiltshire that holds a clothing optional day each month during the Spring and Summer months in the South West of England. The garden covers an area of five acres & is situated beside the 12th century Abbey Church in the centre of Medieval Malmesbury and is truly stunning the year round. For a...
- created by Shammer
Sunday 22nd September
Return to DiscussionsJust a reminder to you all that it is the last clothing optional day of the year this coming Sunday; despite some bad news from the last meet (see other discussions in the group) I hope that many of you will attend to show the popularity of these wonderful days in a great location, to help emphasize the need for them to be added to next years calendar.
That said I will not be able to attend due to an appointment at the local tattoo artists that has become available (at short notice) for an all day session for completion of one piece and a cover-up of another old tattoo that is now beyond saving and completing...
Please feel free to take some pictures this weekend at the garden and upload them and write a review of your visit!!! I will take great delight in reading them and to hear how the garden(s) are looking!!!
That AHG has clothing optional days is wonderful. In order to preserve their attraction to naturists, I'd suggest that AHG enact two simple rules (if it already has not) and prominently post signs announcing them:
Rule #1: Photographs of other patrons are not allowed without the express permission of those being photographed. If any contravening photos are taken, they must be deleted or give up possession of any memory cards which include the photos. Non-compliance is punishable by removal without refund.
Rule #2: Anyone entering with an SLR-type camera must read a form acknowledging they understand and will abide by Rule #1, and then sign the form and print their name, address and phone number, validated against their drivers licence.
Looking forward to the final clothing optional day on Sunday.
I agree there did seem to be a significantly more number of cameras being carried around last time. That doesnt bother me but I do notice that more and more at naturist events (not just here), quite a few people seem to be glued to their phones and could be taking photos when its not obvious that they are. My phone always stays in my bag at events like this, I wish others would do that too. The most I want to carry around is my towel lol
Despite the uninspiring weather forecast I made the trip especially as it was the last of the season and the future is uncertain at the moment. The rain set in and as eleven o'clock approached it was little better. As anticipated there were far fewer people around today, but those that were there were determined to make the best of things.
The rain did ease off after a while and walks around the gardens and the woodland areas were possible as the drier interludes began to outnumber the showers. The gardens had a very different feel to the busy sunnier days when there were lots of people but non the less it was still a great day - and the temperature was usually warm.
As the day slowly improved I hoped there might be an increase in numbers , but it remained quiet all day.
That brings me to the issues raised by some visitors last month. Overall I think they were a little undeserved. Whilst it was true there were several dogs there they were generally well behaved and kept them under control. As for the weeds, there were (and still are) some, especially in the woodland areas, but the roses and other plants in bloom more than distracted the eye from the weeds. Overall it is the total environment of AHG that makes it such a great day out and this more than out-weighs some minor issues. On the plus side there are several signs around the grounds that maintenance and improvements are taking place to bring standards back up and improve things, including the cleaning the carp pool so you can clearly see the fish and many paths have had a layer of chippings/hard-core added to dress the surfaces. So to be fair, there are things being done to tidy it up.
If we are able to have clothing optional days in 2020 I will definitely be there as it is still a unique place. Hopefully people will not be put off and if they have never been, and will give it a go and discover for themselves what we already know.