Over 1,000 thrill-seeking adults have taken over a quiet Lincolnshire village for this year’s Swingathon sex festival. Marketed as Britain’s biggest celebration of alternative intimacy, the three-day event features workshops, fetish demonstrations, themed parties and “play zones”, all under tight security. Local residents express mixed feelings as the usually tranquil area transforms into a haven of indulgence.

Event founders Matt Cole and his wife Stacie, together with co‑organiser Kerry Voellner, welcome nearly 1,000 openly consenting adults to explore alternative sexuality in a secure countryside setting.

Every attendee must pass a detailed vetting process before a ticket is issued, ensuring they are active in the swinging lifestyle, whether through club membership, app accounts or personal referrals.

Matt Cole explains:

“Every person in this field is vetted, we don’t just let anyone in. They all know the etiquette, they all know the rules, it’s not the free‑for‑all that people think it is."

He adds:

“It’s growing, this year I’ve got 30 percent new attendees. We are expecting just short of 1,000 people this year.”

Festival-goers enjoy a packed timetable including play tents, hot tubs, foam parties, mobile dungeons, fetish stalls and themed evenings with drag, burlesque and pole‑dancing performances. Kerry Voellner highlights the safe, inclusive spirit, stating:

“The event offers a very social and safe space for people from different lifestyles to meet new people. This year it’s bigger, better and bolder. There will be fire breathers, pole dancers, acrobats and much more.”

Guests also access workshops and spaces dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community and fetish interests.

Photography and filming are tightly controlled: no images are allowed inside the arena without consent, and camera phones must be stickered at the entrance. Attendees may photograph only in a designated area or privately within their campsites.

Matt Cole sums up the ethos, explaining:

“It’s essentially a standard festival, but aimed at people in the lifestyle who want a safe space to be around like‑minded people and just enjoy themselves. There’s no arguing about ‘I believe this’ and ‘you believe that’ and politics or any bullshit. The vibe of the place is just something different."

While some villagers remain uneasy, commenting that “It all seems a bit seedy if I’m honest, not my cup of tea”, others are more tolerant, acknowledging:

“If everyone attending is up for it, there’s no problem, let them get on with it, enjoy what they want to do.”

The festival cleared previous objections from South Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire Police over concerns including public safety and nuisance. Co‑organiser Cole reports increased local cooperation this year, saying:

“It’s nice to have their support this year, they are working so much better with us, we have sold more tickets than ever and having the council on side as well, it could not be going any better than I wanted.”

Swingathon opens its doors to a mix of couples and singles, with roughly a three‑couple to one single‑male ratio. Kerry Voellner, who runs Manchester’s Adam And Eve’s swinging nightclub and has been involved in swinging for over 20 years emphasises that the festival champions “sexual freedom as a basic human right".

Meanwhile Matt Cole encourages newcomers, advising:

“Everybody should go to a lifestyle club of some description and just try it, if I invite 10 people, nine people would love it!”

With diverse entertainment, strict etiquette and a growing community, Swingathon appears set to grow even further in future years.