With the warmer summer weather, long balmy nights and the fantastic feel of the sun on your bare skin, thoughts may be turning towards the idea of trying sex outdoors. It’s a popular choice and can add an exciting new element into your sex life. But before you rush on out into the wilds, here are our top 10 tips for successful outdoor sex.

1. Know the law about sex in public places

Before you whip off your clothes and have sex anywhere outdoors, it’s important to be up to scratch on the law about having sex in public places (you don’t want to get caught out like these people).

The exact terms of the law differs depending on the country you’re in. For example, in the UK, the Sexual Offences Act doesn’t say you can’t have any sex outdoors, but it does outlaw indecent exposure in a public place. If you get caught, you could face up to six months in prison. Similarly, engaging in sexual practices in public places is legislated by public order offences and could also result in a prison sentence.

Although it sounds harsh, this doesn’t rule out outdoor sex completely - it just means that you need to ensure a reasonable amount of privacy and pick your outdoor sex spots carefully.

2. Stick a blanket in the boot of your car

Spontaneity is also great and the unexpected is exciting, but amidst all the spontaneousness, a small amount of practicality is good too.

On a practical basis, depending where you’re going to be indulging in outdoor sex, you may need something comfortable, like a blanket, to lie on. It helps to put a blanket down if the ground is uneven, bumpy or uncomfortable. In addition, it’s handy if you’re doing it against a tree, as you can roll up the blanket into a cushion shape and pop it behind the back of the one leaning against the tree to relieve the discomfort of leaning against bark.

Blankets are also handy if you’re indulging in sex in the evening or at night, as you can snuggle down under the blanket too.

3. Watch out for farmers!

Good old fields in the countryside are a popular pick for outdoor sex, but watch out for farmers at work. As one couple discovered and told us, they can appear at the most inopportune of moments.

“We’d chosen a spot that seemed to be really well hidden and secluded - the kind of spot where we thought we wouldn’t be disturbed. We were naked and in full throttle enjoying ourselves, when suddenly we began to hear rustling sounds coming from the other side of the hedge.

“At first, we tried to shrug it off as simply birds or animals moving about, but at they continued we realised that there was someone there. Our carefully chosen spot turned out to be alongside a field where a farmer and his workers were busy harvesting their crops! It was rather a rude awakening and kind of threw us rather off track!”

4. Find fields that are free, so you don’t squash farmers crops

On a similar farming note, as much as you may love the romantic idea of making love in a corn field, farmers will be none too pleased if you squash their crops.

They’ve taken months to grow them and their livelihood depends on successfully harvesting and selling them, so do them a favour by bypassing fields full of crops - not least as it could be embarrassing to get caught having sex there (and anyone who has laid on corn can tell you it’s not comfortable!).

5. Read a map or check out maps online

When you’re trying to find nice secluded spots for outdoor sex, it’s helpful to get to know your local area, or areas you’re visiting, in advance. It will save you time trying to hunt out the elusive spot when you’re dying for a shag, and ensure you’re sure of where you’re going before you set out.

Our top tip for finding great spots is to get reading maps or checking out maps online. It should highlight any spots that are off the beaten track, but also offer insight into what might be in the surrounding area - where you could park, how far you might need to walk to reach the spot or if there are any major public buildings in the near vicinity.

It may sound like a lot of pre-sex planning, but it’s better knowing in advance that there could be a bridge or building nearby that overlooks your great spot before you get stuck in!

For some ideas of places where you could indulge in sneaky outdoor sex, check out this A to Z list.

6. Make a meal of it

Why not combine outdoor sex with the chance to enjoy an erotic picnic with your partner?

You could pack up some culinary delights to enjoy together, such as libido boosting foods (like oysters, bananas or chocolates), or take some luscious strawberries, whipped cream and some chocolate sauce….and let yourselves get carried away.

In fact, outdoors is one of the best places to get carried away with whipped cream and chocolate sauce, as you needn’t worry about accidentally dripping them all over the bedclothes. If you need to wash off afterwards, you could find a stream, the sea or river to take a dip in (skinny dipping, preferably).

7. Protect your skin with sunscreen

You’ll need more protection than this…If you’re going to be stripping off outdoors, especially during the heat of the midday sun, then don’t forget to protect your skin and apply sunscreen.

It’s especially important if you’ll be exposing delicate areas of your skin that don’t usually get to experience the sun, as you don’t want to end up with sunburn in uncomfortable places!

You could build applying sunscreen into your foreplay, as sensually applying sunscreen to your partners body could prove a pleasurable erotic starter.

If you need some shade from the full glare of the sun, then you could rig up a makeshift shade between trees, or use a sunshade or umbrella - it can double up to help screen off your sexual actions too.

8. Keep well hydrated with water

All that outdoor exertion, especially on hot days, can be exhausting and you don’t want to flake out too soon. So ensure you’re feeling in tip top condition throughout your outdoor activities, by keeping hydrated and drinking water.

Bottles of water are easy to take with you and, if things really heat up, you could even tantalise your partner by dripping cold water on their body.  Plus, keeping cool is a great excuse for trying out skinny dipping!

9. Don’t forget your lubrication or condoms

If you’re used to using lubrication and condoms in the bedroom, then don’t forget to have some handy when you’re enjoying outdoor sex too.

Many forms of lubrication double up as massage oils too, so you could have great fun massaging each other before the full-on sexual action begins.

10. And finally, have fun!

If you have any tips to add, then please leave a comment and let us know, or why not share your experiences of outdoor sex.