Naked cinema screenings, alleged swinging events… and a toddler stumbling upon nudists in an indecent act: Why Sussex residents are fighting back against the naughty naturists camping in their idyllic village

Last summer, a local farmer and his three-year-old son were horrified when they turned onto a quiet bridle path in East Sussex with their tractor to see a naked woman kneeling in front of a similarly naked man.

The shocking sight rightly caused uproar in the idyllic village of Whatlington, a stone’s throw from Battle where William the Conqueror defeated the English King Harold in 1066, with the district council documenting ‘considerable anxiety and unrest in the village’.

What has since become clear, however, is that there is more to this uneducational episode than first appears. Because the disturbing lovers were actually lingering on the grounds of Turn A Blind Eye nudist camp, which first opened in May 2024 and has now been accused of enabling indecent acts just outside a public bridge and hosting lively events attended by people from as far away as Hull.

No wonder angry residents, concerned for the safety of local children, are demanding the closure of the campsite.

Almost a year on from the encounter, and with the campground now applying for permission to extend its opening hours, Whatlington is faced with what one resident described as “the hottest battle here since 1066”. So who will prevail against their overly friendly neighbors in this extraordinary saga of the village?

This isn’t the first time Whatlington, home to more than 300 people, has been thrust into the spotlight thanks to sexual proclivities. More than a decade ago, Rabbi Philip Sharp, the so-called ‘stray Rabbi’, was revealed to be living in the village with at least seven of his wives, attracting national media attention.

But this latest story was even more shocking to local residents; especially since a school had recently opened a hostel for 32 young students 80 meters from the campsite.

It also attracted attention from far away. Former newspaper editor Lord Moore, who grew up in Whatlington, wrote this week that he was cycling on the bridleway that runs in front of the campsite.

Pictures shared online show a hot tub, beautifully landscaped lawns, fire pits and hammocks

‘Turn A Blind Eye campsite is an adults-only, clothing optional, laid-back campsite in Battle, UK where you can relax and be yourself,’ according to the official website. Pictures shared online show a hot tub, beautifully landscaped lawns, fire pits and hammocks. In many ways, it looks like an eccentric, naturist campsite, albeit a completely innocent one.

Campground owner Jeremy Stephenson told the Daily Mail this week that “the issue is overblown” and that “we do not encourage swinging on our site”.

‘The site has been developed to enable adults of different ages, ethnicities and backgrounds to come together, relax, socialize and be themselves in a tranquil rural environment,’ he added.

However, the ‘rules and etiquette’ of the over-21 venue, which spans almost two acres, hint at something a little more rambunctious. One rule reads, ‘We ask that you make an effort if you remain clothed,’ but without specifying exactly how much effort is required.

‘Always ask before joining others. ‘No means NO!’ He reads for a second, again without explaining what ‘participating’ means. The third one says, ‘Playing in the jacuzzi or pool is prohibited.’

Plus, the £40-a-night campsite advertises on Spicy Match, a ‘naughty adults’ dating site that also hosts chat forums on everything from sex toys to BDSM.

The site first opened on 3 May 2024, within the boundaries of the High Weald National Landscape of outstanding natural beauty. No planning permission was required as the land was classed as ‘agricultural’ and the campsite would only be open 60 days a year.

A year later, the local farmer and his son witnessed the sex act from the elevated position of their tractor cab. A local source told the Daily Mail that the little boy later told the preschool about the incident, leaving staff horrified. However, this week Sussex Police told the Daily Mail that “officers are investigating”. . . No suspects have been identified. ‘The investigation is now complete, pending further information.’

The ‘rules and etiquette’ of the over-21 venue, which spans almost two acres, hint at something rambunctious

The farmer, who the Daily Mail has chosen to maintain anonymity, is now being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive for allowing his three-year-old son to ride with him in the tractor cab. It is unclear who first reported the tractor incident to the police, but Mr Stephenson insisted to the Daily Mail that it was not him and that he held no ill will towards the farmer or the dissident villagers.

Then, in January this year, Turn A Blind Eye applied for planning permission for ‘the use of the land as a holiday camping, caravan and caravan site, with up to 30 pitches between 1 April and 31 October each year’. In other words, previously it had the right to open not only 60 days a year, but also without permission.

Whatlington Parish Council voiced its opposition, declaring the application ‘disingenuous’ and ‘misleading’. “This is not a campsite,” ward councilor Simon White told the Daily Mail this week. ‘Basically when I was in the army we called it ‘grot bar’. [a seedy establishment].’

Simon, who played a major role in writing the municipality’s objection to the development application, explained that the site has been operating ‘illegally’ since its first opening two years ago. Because while the site hosted guests only 60 days a year, the facilities were located on the land throughout the year, contrary to zoning laws.

Moreover, the council believes that the land should be treated as follows:distinctive‘refers to any property that does not have a specific planning use. Therefore, any change in use, for example as a campsite, will require unique planning permission.

‘This is an adult-themed entertainment venue, it needs to be treated as such,’ Simon added, referring to the campsite where cameras and mobile phones are prohibited and there is nothing about this in the planning applications. Not a word about anything other than camping.

‘Clothing ‘optional’. But if you wear clothes, you are encouraged to “make an effort.” I don’t know what this means. But I can guess. Then he talks about “playing.” What is the game? ‘I don’t think this is badminton.’

However, Mr Stephenson denies this claim. “I’m not sure what entertainment the district council means when they talk about adult entertainment,” he told the Daily Mail. ‘Activities on site include axe-throwing, rowing, yoga and crafts such as dream catcher making, as well as decorating top hats and headdresses for our mad hatter’s tea party later this summer.’

But clearly the church council believes this is primarily a matter of conservation. Not only because of the large number of walkers of all ages crossing the adjacent bridle path, but also because the Leeford Place Hotel – 80 meters from the campsite – has recently been converted into a hostel for 32 students attending Battle Abbey School. According to local resident Sandra, who toured the refurbished property, ‘you can see absolutely everything from the upstairs windows’.

In a statement to the Daily Mail, the £17,474-per-term private school said: ‘The safety and welfare of our students is our top priority and we have considered the situation carefully. The property in question is privately owned and operates independently of the school. We are satisfied that appropriate protection, supervision and pastoral measures are in place for our students.’

District council chairman Roger Fisher, who has lived in the area for 43 years, said: ‘I don’t think anyone is particularly anti-nature. It’s just not a good place for him to be.

‘We are tolerant. If someone wants to do it, they can. But, you know, these are associations. We’re trying to develop a community. But such things spread in waves and do us no good. Now when you meet a new couple at the bar, the first thing you should ask is: “Where exactly are you staying?” ‘

When the Daily Mail visited the soon-to-be-reopened Royal Oak pub, half a mile from the campsite, the new owners admitted: ‘I wonder if we should put a notice on the door that all patrons must be fully clothed?’

The future of the campsite now depends on the outcome of the planning application, which will be managed by Rother District Council.

Of course, not everyone is against keeping the camp gates open. The Daily Mail spoke to a young couple who stayed at Turn A Blind Eye twice last year but asked to remain anonymous because ‘unfortunately the lifestyle has a bad reputation and it can be difficult to explain our choices to family and friends’. The couple said: ‘The site is a naturist site and does not actively encourage swinging.’

But they explained: ‘As with any hotel, campsite or holiday venue, consenting adults may engage in sexually explicit acts, but this is done in the privacy of their own accommodation. There is signage on the site stating that any acts of a sexual nature must be confidential and noise levels must be kept to a minimum.’

The couple plan to return later this year ‘to commune with nature, make great friends and connections, engage in open-minded conversations and relax while getting a full tan’.

‘My wife and I have camped on Mill Lane several times in the last two years,’ a man from Kent said in planning application submissions. We’ve always thought of it as a hidden gem… We both live busy, stressful lives, so being able to step away from time to time and be completely unburdened and free to commune with nature and like-minded people is incredibly restorative for our mental health.’

A local business owner in his representation was equally positive: ‘Any new source of income in the area, big or small, makes a real difference. ‘A campsite will bring in more visitors and more business for local trade, suppliers and other small businesses.’

Other citizens expressed their concerns. “I would like to express my strong objections to the application,” Linda Walker wrote. The noise of events and socializing in the campsite can be heard from all over the valley. ‘Traffic to and from the campsite will be extremely harmful and completely inconvenient.’

Dr. Edward Henderson perhaps summed up the feeling of the village best: ‘Previous holidaymakers at Mill Farm have engaged in completely inappropriate outdoor activities in such close proximity to vulnerable children and young people over the past two summers.’

It seems inevitable that these activities will continue, at least for now. Later this summer, Turn A Blind Eye plans to host events including a solstice party in late June, the Mad Hatter’s tea party in July, and a murder mystery party in August.

But before all that, there will be an ‘open air cinema’ screening over the May Bank Holiday weekend. It’s unclear which film will be released, but as the county council’s Simon White warned: ‘It’s unlikely to be Bambi.’