Gay Dogging and Cruising

Men meeting other men for sex outdoors has a long history in Britain, long before anyone called it dogging. Today plenty of dogging spots are mixed, and some are mostly frequented by gay and bi men. Here's a guide to gay dogging and cruising: what it is, where it happens, and how to enjoy it safely.

Dogging and cruising: what's the difference?

Cruising is the long-established term for men looking for sex with other men in public places, such as parks, woods, beaches and car parks. Dogging traditionally describes people having sex in or around cars while others watch, and it's usually associated with straight couples. In practice the two overlap a lot. Many well-known dogging spots attract couples, single men, gay and bi men and trans people, sometimes on the same night, while others have been cruising grounds for decades.

Where gay and bi men go

Cruising usually happens in places with plenty of cover and a reason to be there: woodland paths behind car parks, country parks, commons, riverside meadows and the quieter ends of beaches. Some are busy in the afternoon, others only after dark.

Our county guides mention which spots are mostly frequented by gay and bi men, so you can see at a glance which is which. Find them on our UK dogging sites pages, where every spot has its own map.

How it works

Cruising runs on eye contact and patience. People tend to walk the paths or sit in their cars, and interest is shown with a look, a nod or by following someone a little way down a path. If someone isn't interested, they'll walk on, and the same goes for you. Nobody should ever be pushed into anything, and "no" means no.

Online apps and websites have changed things a lot, and many men now arrange to meet at a spot rather than leave it to chance. It takes the guesswork out, and it's safer too.

Staying safe

• Tell someone you trust where you're going and when you'll be back.
• Take a charged phone and a torch, and don't carry more cash or valuables than you need.
• Trust your instincts. If a situation or a person feels wrong, leave.
• Sadly, cruising areas have sometimes been targeted by people looking for trouble. If you're threatened or attacked, report it to the police, and you can get confidential support from the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop.

Sexual health

Use condoms, and get tested regularly: NHS sexual health clinics are free and confidential. PrEP, the medication that protects against HIV, is available free from NHS sexual health clinics across the UK, so if you're regularly having sex with new partners it's well worth asking about.

The law and etiquette

The law is the same whoever you're having sex with: the risk comes when unsuspecting members of the public could see what's going on, and sex in public toilets is a specific offence of its own. Read Is dogging legal in the UK? for the details, and our guide to dogging etiquette for the unwritten rules: keep it out of sight, respect people's privacy, and take your litter home so the spots stay open.

Before you go

Find dogging sites in other counties: Dogging sites across the UK