I used the baths for the first time only a couple of weeks ago
when I visited London for the weekend, and it was a brilliant,
comfortable experience. I use the sauna at my local health
club nude, as do a number of other members, but a significant
number of them still wear swimwear, which can be a little uncomfortable at
times.

At first, I was a little reticent about stripping off but after seeing other
guys casually walking back and forth from the baths
to the relaxation area completely naked, I immediately relaxed, grabbed my towel
and went into the steam room. Then a shower,
then to the plunge pool for a cool down, and then to the hot
rooms, and finally dozing off in the relaxation area, lying on
a bed or chair naked without a care in the world.
Repeat as required for three hours. Blissful.

The nudity is definitely the defining, most wonderfully relaxing
part of the experience. Everyone is naked, equal, non-judgmental
and totally unself-conscious. Naturally, all men – straight or gay
– do check each other out when we are naked together. Every
man would admit this if they were honest. I could see other men looking at my
penis as I relaxed. I in turn would occasionally
glance at another man's genitals – the man sitting opposite me
in the hot room, the guy sitting in the next chair etc. But it was
simply in the spirit of mutual appreciation of each other's nudity – the
atmosphere was completely non-sexual. I felt not only cleansed all over but
quietly accepted by the other men in the baths even thought actual conversation
was minimal. The old-fashioned ambience
and the slightly shabby feel of the décor actually was charming and comforting,
and again enhanced the experience.

Just as I discover the baths, I am disappointed to learn that they are to be
shut down for refurbishment so plan to try to get down to London as often as I
can and make use of the facility. I hope the clothing optional status remains
until it is closed and obviously
continues when the baths re-open for business. I am of the opinion that on
single sex days, nude swimming and sauna should also be made available, but
obviously this would be highly unlikely.

I am dismayed by the female manager's attitude. The adoption of compulsory
swimwear in the baths after refurbishment is simply ludicrous and shows a
fundamental ignorance of the purpose of the baths, and that communal nudity is
an essential part of that single sex experience.

* Sitting down, sweating into a swimming costume is quite simply unhygienic and
does not promote relaxation or cleanliness whatsoever.

* Even in my local health club, where roughly half of the male membership chose
to use the changing room sauna wearing towels and trunks, female staff members
are still not permitted to enter the men's facilities, to save embarrassment in
case they walk on naked men showering and changing. The same obviously applies
to male staff and the women's areas. The woman manager in charge has arranged
the rosters so both male and female staff are at work at any one time to deal
with any problems.

Any chance of protesting at the plans, or perhaps simply ignore them and
continue to use the baths naked??