General
This official beach was first designated as such in 1979. It can be found in the very north of Suffolk, about two miles to the north of Lowestoft .

Getting There

Local Live Map

Corton Village is just off the A12 between Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth to the north. From Great Yarmouth head south on the A12 towards Lowestoft. Follow the dual carriageway until you get to the outskirts of Lowestoft where it ends, past a large roundabout where the new sewage treatment plant is. When you get into the 40mph zone, take the next left turn (seaward) to Corton on the B1385. At the end of this road turn right at the 'T' junction and continue through a wooded section to the (free) car park entrance on the right, marked as the parking for the 'Dip Farm Pitch and Putt' (but it seems that beach users also park there). Otherwise there is extremely limited (and unofficial) road side parking on the left a little further along the road.

A marked "Public Footpath" runs from the north end of the car park (the bottom left-hand corner by the old entrance to Pleasurewood Hills) across the road and through trees to steps that lead down to the pebble beach. At the bottom of the steps, turn left (north) for about 150 yards and the small naturist part of the beach is clearly bracketed with council signs - defaced but still readable.

StreetMap

Description
The beach is described as being a about 100 yards in length, not very wide and composed of stones, gravel with some patches of sand here and there. Reports in 2005 suggested that there may now be some more sand than previously. Running along the back of the beach is a high grassy ridge, sloping sharply down to a concrete sea defence wall used as a path. Wooden breakwater barriers divide the beach, and come quite close to the sea wall, giving quite a narrow beach at high tide. Non-naturists must walk through the naturist part to get to their part of the beach, either between the ends of the breakwater barriers and the sea in front of you, or on the concrete sea defence path behind you. You are also overlooked from the rearby a small holiday caravan park.

Other visitors are less complimentary:
"the beach itself was populated almost entirely by single men who seemed quite content to sit and stare at everyone... it was a very weird vibe and I was feeling quite paranoid quite quickly... the beach is pretty gruesome itself and the sea is not at all nice (sewage outfall actually comes down through the beach, although this is rarely obvious"

"Clientel when I've been there is a mix of folk - the odd couple [and] singles - its not a family beach - no sand. In my view this is a great shame.. all along this coastline there's loads and loads of wonderful sandy beach - some of it pristine clean - and where do they put the naturist section? Where you wouldnt want to go ! My advice - for what its worth - dont go [to Corton]... go to eaither Holkham if you want an official beach, or go to Winterton dunes (but if you do please respect that its not an official beach and is a major bird reserve)

Facilities
A recent visitor reports that the caravan selling hot drinks etc in the car park was no longer present. Toilets are signposted from the car park. It is also reported that "the shop is under new management, blessed with a complete and much needed refurb, they do teas and coffees (china cups I might add) and hot and cold food to eat in or take away."

Anything else you could possibly want available in Lowestoft.

Camping
Many visiting naturists stay at the 'Azure Seas' textile camp site, ideally placed close to the beach. Local Tourist Information Office: tel 01502 565989.

User Comments

Trip Report - August 2005

"..our first time to a naturist beach and what an enjoyable experience it was. The beach was a bit "pebbly", but lovley. A few people walking at the back of the beach do have a good look, but apart from that it was great, with very friendly people. The parking wasn't great, but is manageable. By far the best beach we have been to."

Trip Report - August 2005

"I went to corton on the second day of the air show. The weather was fairly hot that day, but not many naturists were around on the beach - to my surprise and dissapointment. I walked up and back and found myself a space... stripped off and laid back to enjoy the sun and watch the planes flying over. To my horror, I turned to my left and saw a very well endowed many openly stroking a semi erect penis in front of the whole beach and as he knelt up he made no attempt to hide the then full erection from anyone who happened to look his way. Not what any true any true naturist wants to see when they go to the beach. Luckily he soon packed his things and was on his way...

Trip Report - July 2005

"Visiting the beach for my first ever nude experience! It was windy and overcast, I took a while to locate beach, and found I was the only person on it! Nervously I undressed, I'd never been naked in public before, but wandered up and down in the bracing air and dipped my toes in the sea a few times. I would have liked someone, anyone, to have talked to and to have shared this experience with. I was worried that maybe being my first time I would embaress myself in the obvious male way, but no-one would have seen obviously and the brisk sea breeze put a stop to that anyway! I'll do it again, but hopefully on a warmer day"

Trip Report - July 2004

"I visited the nude beach at corton on tuesday the 6th of July and was pleased to see much more of a mix and not so many of the annoying voyeurs who used to patrol up and down the embankment that's situated on the beach. My wife found it much more relaxing and said that it was one of the better days we have spent down there. My only gripe would be the gay men who use the far end of the beach who thought it was OK to lie directly behind one groinand openly play about with each other - no matter who came along.
Needless to say we will be back, but will no longer have walks along the sea afrom one end to the other. My advice stay on the first to sections of beach."

Trip Report - July 2004

"On a visit in July 2004 I found that the caravan in the car park has now gone leaving the area now with no refreshment area - which was very good in past visits. The beach is still small and needs a cleanup of rubbish left by visitors and washed in from passing boats. There is still the odd unwelcome activity being exposed to all on the beach - if these people wish to carry on in this way then go to secluded areas away from people's view. I do not wish this [beach] to be closed or lost [owing] to this behaviour."

Trip Report - May 2004

"I visited this beach during 2003 and it was my first time as a naturist.
The beach was pleasant but basic and the car parking nearby makes it easy to get to. There was a caravan selling drinks and the saleslady had used the naturist beach and did draw it to my attention.
On both occasions there was some 30 to 40 people there - mainly single men but a a fair few couples and some children who were amused by the novelty of naked people. "

Trip Report - August 2002
"The description here is accurate. It is not a particularly fine beach. Not so many people walking through the naturist part - due to the cliff collapse further along. Lots of people on the beach, no families. Many single men. Coming back late afternoon there were many more single men - some of whom were openly sitting or standing with erections - which was off putting. One other couple told us that this was becoming a gay haunt in the evening. On our last evening (28th August) we walked along the beach at dusk to see a small group men by one of the breakwaters. They were watching a couple having sex.

Can't the council do something about this? This is the first time in nearly 17 years of naturism that we have seen this - and it gives ALL of us a bad name. "

Trip Report - September 2000

When I visited Corton in Sept. 2000 I found one thing improved - the signposting, so at least it's clearer where the naturist area is - and one thing less good, that is, access, because of a cliff collapse in the middle of Corton Village. So although there are shops and a Post Office in the village, it is a longer way round to get to them - you used to be able to approach the naturist area from the north end of the beach, but you are restricted now to approaching from the south, that is, the pathway opposite Pleasurewood Hills Car Park. ...if you hear bits of rubble falling off the cliff it might be a good idea to run for it! Clearly the local council will have a long job sorting the collapse out, so it might affect people visiting in 2001

Overall, the beach for me is very basic and rough, and I would agree... about the somewhat strange feeling there sometimes, ie all single men and a degree of surveillance going on...

This year, I saw less of the elderly men who seemed to be more or less resident in previous years - much younger clientele... a good place to chill out.