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Brighton Naturist Beach
Beach

Brighton Naturist Beach

Brighton’s historic naturist beach and a popular LGBTQ+ seaside gathering place

Brighton, UK

Neighbourhood

Brighton

Category

Beach

Vibe

gay beach, naturist beach +8

Official website

About Brighton Naturist Beach

Brighton Naturist Beach is the city’s officially designated naturist beach at Black Rock, between central Brighton and Brighton Marina. Opened in 1980, it was the first public naturist beach in the UK and remains one of the country’s most accessible. The beach has a long-standing following among Brighton’s LGBTQ+ community and is especially popular with gay visitors during warm and sunny weather. It offers a relaxed place for sunbathing, swimming and socialising beside the sea. Large banks of pebbles provide screening and clearly separate the naturist section from the surrounding beach. Signs indicate where the designated area begins. The beach is approximately one mile east of Brighton Palace Pier and can be reached on foot along Madeira Drive. During the operating season, visitors can also take Volk’s Electric Railway to Black Rock station.

What to expect

A relaxed and informal pebble beach where naturism is accepted. The crowd varies with the weather but often includes local naturists, LGBTQ+ residents and visitors enjoying Brighton’s seafront.

Vibes

Good to know

Practical tips before you visit

Officially known as Cliff Bathing Beach
It opened on 1 April 1980 as the first public naturist beach in the UK
Entry is free
The beach is made up of pebbles, so suitable footwear or a beach mat can be helpful

Gallery

Location

Brighton Naturist Beach

Black Rock, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1FG, United Kingdom

Get directions

Always travel safely and be aware of your surroundings.

WhereIs.Gay rating

4.5

284 reviews

Overall rating across Google Maps.

Rating by source

  • Google Maps
    4.5

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Featured Google Maps reviews

Selected by Google Maps. Read more reviews on Google Maps.

One of the most beautiful beaches i have seen , very clean and beautiful sandy beach for good summer outing

Review from Google Maps

Aubs
Aubs

a month ago

Perfect for first-timers. Relaxed, freeing, and judgement-free. We visited on a sunny Sunday afternoon, it was my partner's first-time naturist experience (I have been to two beaches before, but not here). It was pretty busy, but very relaxed, and there was nothing to worry about. The beach is about a 20-30 minute walk east from the main pier. There is a big white sign for the Naturist Beach by the raised mound of pebbles. Walk past the sign and onto the beach. We didn't notice any facilities close by (like cafes, toilets, or showers), so it is worth taking what you need with you. It is so nice to be in an environment where body confidence doesn't matter. The crowd leaned heavily male-presenting (I guess 80:20), but the vibe felt completely safe and welcoming for people of all genders and expressions. A few people wore swim briefs (Speedos), shorts, or cozzies, but most were clothes-free. There was no body shaming at all (I'm a chubby guy). There were people of all shapes, sizes, and ages, with things of all shapes and sizes! No one was out of place, and most importantly, we didn't see any sign of inappropriate behaviour. It was all just so relaxed and enjoyable. (I wasn't purposely looking around, but just like you can vaguely remember the number of people wearing glasses in a room, you naturally notice the diversity.) I had a swim in the sea alongside plenty of others. It was quite cold, but really nice and incredibly freeing to be in the water without swimming trunks. A great location to relax and unwind (though the pebbles aren't great on the feet!). We will definitely be back again.

Review from Google Maps

N O
N O

2 months ago

Amazing to have a place for free and liberating sunbathing and swimming, however as it's in between normal beach space with no barriers I experienced multiple unfortunate unpleasant incidents of fully clothed men coming into the naturist area and sitting right next to me just to stare at me. Very uncomfortable and disrespectful of the safe space that this is supposed to be.

Review from Google Maps

Stella (Nonnq S)
Stella (Nonnq S)

3 years ago

A bit cold but beautiful sunshine and calm sea. Quite a few guys went in the water for a swim. Lovely beach. Happy memories. Now gone. The beach here is now no longer available. It has become part of the "modernization" where you can only walk on set paths through non existent plants. This area is no longer natural in any way. And so it goes..... A pool for only the very privaliged No normal resident can access it. Just another " private use" area paid for by Brighton citizens who have no access to it..

Review from Google Maps

Rod Suskin
Rod Suskin

3 years ago

Very peaceful and safe vibe, everyone was chilled and minding their own business, even though many of the guys were checking each other out. Plenty women present showed how safe and comfortable it feels there. Perfect spot for a relaxed weekend break.

Review from Google Maps

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Listing details

Last updated
5 August 2026
Listed in
Brighton › United Kingdom
Data from
WhereIs.Gay community, the venue and Google