In the Uk we prefer to be called Naturists rather than Nudist as anything with an IST on the end refers to a cult.
Naturism is a way of life and not a cult, personal hygene is important naked or dressed. A towel helps to keep you safe, from bacteria anywhere you sit, you do not know who was there before you.
I think in this day we should have the right to be clothes optional,on beaches saunas, and in your own garden,
as naturists we are mad but not stupid, and try to keep within the law when requiered.

Jim Montgomery, Birmingham, Uk

Try Centre Parks, they quite often have mixed naturist nights, along with many municipal swimming baths. It's such a shame that Miranda can't venture out of her closet, smell the coffee and join even the 20th century.

Alan Naylor, Southampton, Hampshire

How 'hygienic' is it to sweat in a costume...more like completely useless and quite revolting.

And please, the term 'colonies' should be left in the 1950's.

Nancy Bratby, Bridlington,

There is nothing wrong being natural .. as long it is hygenic too .. most naturists will carry towels etc. In UK nudity is stll a stigma which British Naturism and other nudists are trying to change.

Steve, Kent, UK

Miranda Allard writes: "In the UK – we feel we should catch our own waste products within our bathing suits and shower off in private."

What a silly comment! We don't feel that at all. We have a long tradition of being naked in our many municipal spas. It is the sudden influx of Americans and the imposition of their prudish value systems that is eroding our wonderful and healthy ways. The most recent victim of this is Bethnal Green's York Hall, vandalised by Greenwich Leisure and now imposing swimming costumes in the steam room, against the wishes of most of the regulars. Most unhygienic, yuk!

Mike Campbell, London, England

Actually there are at least three co-ed naturist health spas that are costume optional allow naturism. One is Rios in Kentish Town (OK) and the other is Elixir Health Club at Alexandria Palace (spotless). There is also Bristol Gardens Health Spa in Brighton (very spotless).

Chris Brady, London, UK

The only high quality poll (NOP 2001) found that there are about 1.2 million people in the UK who would describe themselves as being a naturist. There was about the same number again who did not wish to commit themselves.

When a naturist gets dressed the disguise is perfect so few people realise how many there are of us.

There are well over a hundred municipal pools that have naturist sessions and most have at least some spa facilities. There are well over a hundred naturist clubs and again most have at least some spa facilities. We don't know how many commercial spas offer naturist (continental) sessions but it is many hundreds.

www.british-naturism.org.uk

Malcolm Boura, British Naturism, UK

Misinformed AND misguided I would suggest that she took some time to research her answers before submitting them for print.

The NUFF directory lists Rio's and also Elixir Health Club at Alexandra Palace. http://nuff.org.uk

Where was Miranda during the WNBR, did she not read about the recent Nudefest in Cornwall, and perhaps she should invest in a copy of the new book by Lifestyle Press, 'The World's Best Nude Beaches and Resorts' or perhaps 'Bare Britain' I even have a spare copy she could have as a gift, with love from me!!

Miranda may be bashful, but 250,000 Britain's who admit to nude recreation in a poll by British Naturism aren't, and there are many more people who enjoy nude recreation than the poll picked up, try going to Studland on a sunny weekend.

Pete Knight, Stourport-on-Severn, Worc's

The list of Turkish baths still open in the UK includes six which make their facilities available to naturists. The list, which includes contact details can be found at:
http://www.victorianturkishbath.org/_0NOWOPEN/England/NowEnglandEng.htm

Malcolm Shifrin, Leatherhead, UK

Your 'Times Online spa expert, Miranda Allard' seems sadly misinformed.
We are aware of a number of spas, commercial and municiple, that offer 'continenal' sessions. Being in the prudish and gymnophobic UK, these are often organised as private sessions by local naturist clubs, but will normally welcome non-members.
We attend our local municiple spa at the sessions organised by our local sun club. Its so natural not to have to wear stupid swimming costumes !!!

C, Essex, UK

Miranda Allard is misinformed. Rio's spa in the Kentish Town Road in London offers a mixed naked experience, as does the 24-hour sauna in Swiss Cottage. And naturists don't have "colonies" - they are not Barbary apes.

Hugh, Cambridge, UK