Families dining in at a pub were left "outraged" and "appalled" when two nudists walked into the bar naked.
Customers at the Railway in Burnham-on-Sea were also left "shocked" when the pair strutted into the premises on Friday, June 2. A number of families with young children had been eating in the bar at the time.
The pair - friends Neil Cox and Danielle Quiggan - were quickly seated by staff before enjoying a meal. But they were met with a flurry of complaints on TripAdvisor from customers alike who said they were left "speechless" by their co-diners.
As reported by Somerset Live, Margaret Lishmund said in her review: “We visited the pub this evening (Friday) at 6pm to have dinner. Whilst ordering drinks a couple walked up to the bar naked which was a shock for all in the pub.
“We expected the bar man to refuse to serve them. There were several families with children in the pub, including ourselves, therefore it was not appropriate for them to be served.
“We decided to leave the pub and find somewhere else for dinner in town. Unfortunately another family were not able to as they had already ordered food. If you advertise as a family pub you should maintain these values."
Customer Sarah L who had taken her parents to the pub on Friday night said she was "outraged" to see the pair in the bar and gave the venue a one star rating.
She posted: “Appalling. If you want to go to a family pub with average food and staff serving a naked man accompanied by a naked woman then this is for you. Outraged.”
Another customer posted saying they would not be making a return visit to The Railway.
Reviewer Euroexp123 said: “We found food and staff pleasant. We went for the second time last night, and were shocked to see a naked couple arrive and be served.
“We were concerned as there were families and young children there. I heard one customer mention this to the staff. As other people have said, the staff seemed unconcerned. We will not be going again.”
Nudist Neil said he contacted the pub, which describes itself as a ‘family friendly’ venue, ahead of their visit to inform staff they were naturists. Staff at the pub say they researched the rules on naturism and took the booking and described it as a 'learning experience'.
Neil, 34, has been a naturist for several years and lives in Cheshire. He and Danielle, 35, from London, were on their way for a weekend break in Cornwall when they stopped off at the boozer.
They had also been in Bristol on Thursday evening, enjoying a naked drink in a pub in the city and walking on Clifton Downs and around the harbourside.
Neil said: "During our break away we were naked most of the time. Where I live there are shops, grocery stores and pubs where I go in regularly that accept I am a naturist.
"We don't think the reaction on TripAdvisor was reflective of what actually happened in the pub in Burnham-on-Sea. It was a new place and people were not expecting it and there was an element of surprise when we first walked in.
"We sat in the corner of the pub and had our meal. People quickly went back to their drinks and got on with their day.
"After all, two naked people sitting in a corner of a pub having a beer and burger quickly becomes boring. Several people came over to us whilst we were there to have a chat and ask questions or request a photo. We had checked with the pub first and got their permission to visit."
Neil, who last year did a 1,000 mile naked cycle ride across the UK with friends for charity, added: "We also stopped off in Bristol on Thursday night and went to a pub there and received no reaction to us being naked at all.
"We spent the day walking around Clifton Downs and the Harbourside. We felt very comfortable in Bristol but less comfortable in the pub in Somerset.
"I've made over 500 visits to shops, bars and other businesses whilst naked and as far as I'm aware not one of those visits has ever resulted in a single negative review. Danielle and I find it deeply saddening that in 2023 an individual has attacked a small business that is trying to demonstrate acceptance and tolerance."
Being naked in public is not an offence. Whilst many naturists will restrict their activities to specially designated areas and/or places where there is a tradition of naked activity, such as nudist beaches, others may wish to enjoy nudity more widely.
A spokesperson for the Railway Inn said: “We have received both negative and positive comments which we have taken on board, however naturism is legal within the UK and we pride ourselves on inclusivity and welcome everyone's individuality and differences.”
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