Upset as Hampstead Heath Mens Pond bans nude sunbathing in the changing area

Uproar at Hampstead Heath Men’s Bathing Ponds changing rooms, where lying in the sun naked has been banned.

“Nude sunbathing is not permitted,” says a new sign. The City of London, who manage the site, took down a “vanity” barrier during Covid, and haven’t decided whether to replace it after renovations. Apparently complaints about the nudity have gone up since the pandemic.

Some regulars told the Camden New Journal they’re planning a “slow strip” in protest. They say that the changing area has had a tradition of nude sunbathing for over 100 years.

Since the 1990s, there has been a “vanity barrier” which was supposed to designate a sunbathing area in the changing room. Now an update is currently ongoing, and the City say they have made no decision about what will be allowed once an this has been completed. A consultation survey was supposed to help decide new rules going forward, but signs have already been put up to tell people not to sunbathe naked.

Lifeguards are now tasked with trying to tell people to put swimming trunks. A police officer was even rumoured to have been called to stop some nudity, but had no powers to enforce the ban.