Open relationships and the swinger lifestyle continue to grow across London. The popularity of swinger clubs such as Le Boudoir continue to provide a distinct vision of London’s modern dating perspectives. All across the UK, people are experimenting with ethical non-monogamy for various personal reasons. And for many, it’s happily working out.
But what if you’re new to the London and aren’t exactly sure where to begin?
But what if you’re new to London and not quite sure where to start? Although most consider London’s swinger scene to be welcoming, it can still feel rather daunting for a newcomer.
We’ll look at ways you can integrate a bit easier through communities and online portals.
What is an Open Relationship?
An open relationship is an overarching term that encompasses all types of ethical non-monogamy. One of the more popular forms of open relationships is swinging. Swingers are couples who enjoy romantically experimenting with others beyond their primary partner. They often find partners through online dating sites tailored to the swinger lifestyle, as well as meet-ups, swinger clubs, and social connections ingrained in the community.
We won’t delve too deeply into this here, but do know that our UK swinger blog is brimming with information on the subject. So, if you’re looking to expand your knowledge base (and you should), we’ve got you covered.
The Importance of Support Networks
Given that open relationships, especially those involving swingers, aren’t entirely mainstream yet, it can be a bit stressful. At times, you might feel like a trio living on the fringes of society. Support networks are an excellent way to help you maintain positivity, poise, and balance. Being part of a community also helps you better understand the nuances and events within the community. When you are part of a support network, you can fully embrace the swinger lifestyle in London and across the UK. You are less likely to feel isolated.
Online Communities and Forums
We’ll begin with some of the more popular destinations for UK swingers online.
Group Fun
We’d be remiss to not give ourselves a nod. Group Fun is one of London’s biggest online swinger lifestyle destination. And we’re free, to boot. We connect swingers throughout the UK, from Manchester to London and beyond. We represent all types of open relationship types, including throuples. We’re proof that the swinger lifestyle in the UK is absolutely thriving.
Subreddits like r/polyamory and r/nonmonogamy offer discussions, advice, and support from a large and active community. Clearly, you’ll need to filter down the information to your UK based location, but you’ll find a wealth of info in one of the web’s most popular gateways to information of any sort.
There are several Facebook groups dedicated to open relationships and polyamory, such as “Polyamory UK” and “London Polyamory Network.”
Meet Ups, Events
Meetup groups and social gatherings exist throughout London and the UK. Here’s a few you can find and join for local swinger events.
Meetup.com
Search for groups like “London Polyamory” and “Open Relationships London” on Meetup.com for events and gatherings. You’ll find a lot of options you had no idea existed.
PolyDay UK
Annual events like PolyDay provide a space for polyamorous people to meet, attend workshops, and socialise.
Professional Support Services
Therapists and counsellors can be especially helpful to those in open relationships. They not only offer one on one support, but workshops, seminars, and support groups. But choosing the right situation is important.
Ensure the therapist or counsellor has experience with open relationships and comes recommended by trusted sources or communities.
Websites like Pink Therapy and Relate offer directories of therapists experienced in non-traditional relationships.
Organisations such as The School of Life and Love Uncommon host workshops on relationships, including open relationships.
In terms of books, stores such as Gay’s The Word in London often carry books on open relationships, and local libraries can be a good resource for borrowing them.
Conclusion
It all comes down to finding your tribe. The London and UK swinger scene is mostly a friendly space, but integrating through the numerous ways described above can help you on a therapeutic and social level.
Charles Lace is a distinguished UK-based writer, born in 1975 in Brighton, who has become a prominent voice in the open relationship and swinger communities. His passion for exploring and documenting alternative lifestyles, particularly in the UK, has made him a well-known figure in these circles.
After studying Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, Lace began his career as a freelance journalist for London newspapers. In his late 20s, he found his niche writing about non-monogamous relationships and the swinger lifestyle. His breakthrough came in 2005 with the publication of “Open Hearts, Open Doors: An Introduction to Ethical Non-Monogamy,” which became an unexpected bestseller in its niche.
Known for his frank yet sensitive approach, Lace’s writing style combines personal anecdotes with well-researched information and expert interviews. He regularly contributes to various swinger publications, most notably through his column in “Lifestyle Horizons,” a popular UK-based magazine for the swinger and polyamorous communities.