Gay Naturist Bed and Breakfast in the heart of Devon

STEAMERS Rock Road, Torquay. Phone: 01803 294656

Last visited: March 2005

Going up the hill in Rock Road the entrance is on the left. Because it is built into a hillside the entrance is in fact on the top floor. The reception area includes the changing area and a few seats and tables where sandwiches are served. Down one floor is the main area with cubicles, video room, steam room and sauna. The bottom floor contains a large oblong jacuzzi which is more like a small swimming pool, and beyond it a darkened cruisy area. The facilities therefore are excellent, but the atmosphere fails to match it. I visited it for the first time less than a week after it had opened and was given a very offhand welcome.

CLIFF HOUSE Saint Mark’s Road, Torquay. Phone: 01803 294656

Last visited: May 2009

Confusingly St. Mark’s Road is in the shape of a letter T. Off Meadfoot Road turn up Daddyhole Road, past its car park and round a U-bend. You will see Cliff House on the right set back in its own grounds and looking almost like a private house. Do not park in the drive, there is ample free parking in the road. The entrance is shared by the hotel, so just go up to reception and ask for the steam room. You will be given a towel and a loin cloth. The compact sauna (but without a sauna, so known as the steam room) is in the basement. Changing area with water dispenser leads into TV lounge with just terrestrial TV. To the right just three cubicles with curtains and also a small communal dark room. The wet area is compact indeed; a couple of showers and a very public loo, (I suggest you use the ground-floor loo near the stairs on arrival). Most importantly next to the showers you will find a fairly dark steam room where most of the action takes place. Stairs lead up to a charming jacuzzi in a conservatory overlooking the garden at ground level. Currently the sauna is only open 1600-2200 on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. These restricted hours do at least assure a decent quorum of visitors, though numbers tend to peak soon after 1800. Until recently the place opened at 1700 and some listings may still give the later time. Rest assured there are usually quite a few guys around by 1630.

DADDYHOLE SAUNA, KEYWEST Meadfoot Beach Road, Torquay. Phone: 01803 200063

Last visited: November 2009

Opened in 2009 as part of the excellent KeyWest resort complex, you can use the bar (and open air swimming pool in summer) before going down to the sauna. Unfortunately not always very busy, so hope it gets better known. Cruisy downstairs area, a bit dingy with its grey decor, but with porn cinema and good steam room. Upstairs to jacuzzi with a more cheerful atmosphere with its nearby tables and chairs for relaxation. Very friendly reception where drinks can also be ordered. Open only from Wednesdays to Sundays.

NEWPORT GREENHOUSE 24 Church Street, Newport.

Phone: 01633 221172

John’s Personal Gay Sauna Guide 2010

Born in 1935, I came very late to the sauna scene, but have since been making up for lost time, though I am not overactive and am quite happy to sit back and observe the scene. You could say that I am a bit of a voyeur.

I hope these notes will be of use to you whether you actually intend visiting the saunas or are just curious.

If you have never been to one before, do not be put off. They are not at all daunting and nowadays are unlikely to be unhygienic or sordid. I remember the first one I ever visited (it was the Cliff House), and it took just seconds for me to feel at home. The moment I reached the showers and saw two guys drying themselves off quite unselfconsciously, I knew I was in for a good time.

For most saunas I have not given prices or precise opening times as they can vary. Sometimes, especially in the evenings, there are special events such as Bears’ parties. I strongly advise you to phone ahead to make sure of opening times or even if the sauna is still in existence. (Click on my picture to contact me direct)