More than half of Brits would now consider taking their clothes off for a summer holiday, a new survey reveals.

A substantial 59 per cent of those questioned by a booking site would either go on a nudist holiday, sunbathe naked or visit a nudist beach - and men are twice as likely to say they would partake.

The findings emerge as naked restaurants are launched in both Australia and the UK, and Madrid announces a national ‘no swimsuit day’.

Nearly 60 per cent of people questioned in a new survey would either go on a nudist holiday, sunbathe naked or visit a nudist beach (stock image)

More than a third of British men polled in the Lastminute.com survey say they would consider sunbathing naked this year and 14 per cent would go on a nudist holiday, compared to 17 per cent and six per cent respectively for women.

Around eight per cent of Brits have been on a nudist holiday in the past, however, a third admit they keep it secret from friends, family and colleagues.

Getting an all-over tan is the most popular reason to bare all on the beach, with 42 per cent of the vote, while 21 per cent do it to ‘reconnect with nature’ and one in five want to ‘step out of their comfort zone’.

Analysis of online search data reveals a 52 per cent increase in the number of searches for 'best nudist beaches in Europe' since January, while searches for 'nudist beaches' are up 23 per cent over the same period.

More than a third of British men say they would consider sunbathing naked this year compared to only 17 per cent of women - pictured, men on the 'Platja de Ses Salines' nudist beach in Ibiza

TOP TEN NUDIST BEACHES IN THE WORLD 1. Holkham beach, North Norfolk, UK 2. Brighton beach, East Sussex, UK 3. Spiaggia di Guvano, Corniglia, Italy 4. Bellevue Beach, Klampenborg, Denmark 5. Praia do Abricó Beach, Brazil 6. Orient Beach, St. Martin 7. Studland beach, Dorset, UK 8. Es Cavallet, Ibiza, Spain 9. Cap d’Agde, France 10. Kampen Beach, Germany Source: Lastminute.com Advertisement

Andrew Welch, from British Naturism, the UK’s organisation for Naturists, said: 'We know that people are far more willing to try social nudity and so it’s great to have confirmation that more and more of us are letting go of any hang-ups and are feeling comfortable in the skin we’re in.

'For those visiting a naturist/nudist beach for the first time, the best advice is to relax, enjoy the sensation of the sun, breeze and sea on your whole body and realise that no one is worried about how you look.'

It would appear that Brits are most adventurous when they’re younger, with 52 per cent of 18-24-year-olds saying they would consider a nudist holiday, sunbathe naked or visit a nudist beach. This is in contrast to 38 per cent of Brits aged over 55.

But it’s not just beaches that are popular nudist spots.

In fact, it’s hotel room balconies that come top of the list of places to catch some rays, with 30 per cent of those surveyed admitting they’ve sunbathed naked on one.

Ten per cent have sunbathed without swimwear by a swimming pool, and eight per cent in a forest or park.

When it comes to beach activities in the buff, more than half of the Brits say they see no harm in people playing volleyball, while 40 per cent don’t see an issue with naked football.