For most naturists going out to the backyard on a sunny day, relaxing in a nice chair with an ice-cold drink at your side, working on a nice tan, while donning only your birthday suit seems like a pretty good way to spend your time. But your neighbors might think differently. While it is legal for you to be naked on your own property, your neighbors could be offended by your actions. And it is not wrong of them to be taken aback, seeing as how it isn’t a part of their daily lives. So you can’t really blame them.
The law
The law states that it is not an offense for an individual to be naked in public, but it develops into an offense if credible proof is provided that the person stripped off with the intention to cause a disturbance. Which basically means that until you intend to cause distress, alarm and outrage, it is okay to be naked in public and is not in conflict with any law.
So don’t worry, you can still catch a great sun tan in your backyard whenever your heart desires. But the thing that you as an individual should really take into consideration is that you give some thought to the idea about informing your neighbors and those around you of your choices, so that when you do go out on that perfect sunny day, you don’t surprise them with all of yourself and make them feel alienated and make them develop negative thoughts about you. By informing them about your lifestyle choice and being open about the situation you could ease them into a place where they may be more comfortable and better equipped to deal with it.
The talk
However if you feel that you unable to have “the talk” with your neighbors, you can try some things to keep your time in the backyard more private and peaceful. One of many great ways to do this would be to have an area or section of your yard cordoned off with screens, and away from other’s eyes, while you work on your tan. In the circumstance that neither of the above is possible for you to do, then you should re-evaluate how important it is for you to catch a suntan in the nude in the ease of your own backyard. Is it more important than maintaining a friendly relationship with your neighbors and those around you and keep healthy social relationships? This is the decision that you will have to come to on your own, but take your time to decide and weigh both outcomes against each other.
It is, however, important to understand that it is not only you who should be concerned about being offensive. There can be an instance wherein not you, but your neighbors might be in the wrong doing. While it is obviously not a common sight in regular life for most people, it is not okay for your neighbors to not respect your privacy. If you feel that your neighbors are being insensitive to how you chose to spend your time, by making you feel uncomfortable by leaning over fences or windows to get a peep at you. It is them who are committing an offense, by invading the privacy of your home. At this point if your concern is growing too high, you should consider talking to your neighbors and informing them of your concern. If they seem to be unaffected by your discussion you should consider seeking help from an authority.
Sunbathe naked in your garden and be a good neighbor too
English law functions on the principle that you are free to do anything you wish to other than that which is specifically prohibited, and if you do you have to take the consequences of your actions and bear the responsibility. So take everything into consideration if you find yourself in a similar situation. You could always be a good neighbor and take the first step to reach out and check with people living around you if they are okay with you stripping off.
Or you could find a nice, serene and secluded space in your garden to cover up your private bits and pieces so they aren’t on full view to all and sundry.