From the otherworldly fens of the east to the vast dramatic waters of the Lake District, the thundering icy waterfalls of Snowdonia to the secluded sandy coves of Cornwall. Locals who know the secrets of their patch share over 100 spectacular swim spots across England and Wales. Now they are yours to explore too. (Publisher’s Synopsis) Here follows a list of books about swimming. If you are looking for inspiration, you’ll find plenty here. These are mainly memoirs of swimming to survive trauma, but there’s also more bucolic descriptive books plus a warm and entertaining novel. This is my bedside table book list, I’m reading through them all in between my own dips.

Using “Wild Swimming” to build confidence in open water swimming, ensuring good practice and introducing the health benefits of regular cold water immersion. What we offer at Wild Swim Scotland Imagine a summertime tour through the wildest and most beautiful regions of Britain – boating, camping and swimming along the way. Wild Swimming – inspired by Roger Deakin’s cult-classic Waterlog – is a celebration of wilderness dipping, natural bathing and riverside picnics. Best-selling book Wild Swimming combines inspirational photos, engaging writing and practical information to make this a truly unique British travel guide.

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This is a memoir of alcoholism and recovery, Amy Liptrot left rehab in England and returned to recover in Orkney, where she was brought up. She joined a swimming group and found in the chilled waters of the North Sea as well as around the hills and islands of the Orkneys what she needed to truly recover. When you swim in Wales, take a moment to ponder the late Roger Deakin, ecologist, nature writer, campaigner and inveterate wild swimmer who compiled a whole new watery vocabulary to describe the simple, timeless activity of immersing yourself in a natural body of water, be it a river, a lake, a stream or the sea. He not only uncovered obscure, rarely used words associated with wild water – dook, loom, winterburna, bumbel – but also described the feeling of water itself, from a languid, meandering river to a furiously frothing mountain stream. Deakin was attuned to the differences in colour, taste, temperature and even texture of the water he swam in and the variety of aquatic life he encountered. He even coined a new word – endolphins – for the thrillingly pleasurable, all encompassing rush of a wild swim. I’m surprised you missed Swimming Free by Geoffery Fraiser Duncan. Perhaps the best, but not the first book to celebrate swim trekking and river snorkeling. Out of print, this book is both rare and worth the price. Lakes, mountains, pine forests and upland pastures make for a challenging ride in the big hills around Bala. There’s a series of waterfall plunge pools in the clear, peaty waters of the Eunant Fawr stream and at the end of the ride there’s a chance to take a relaxing dip in the cool, calm waters of Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake), Wales’s biggest natural lake. This illustrated book about the social history of swimming was given a great review here. I’m looking forward to getting hold of a copy.

Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, their home is taken away and they lose their livelihood. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall. Based in Portobello, Edinburgh, we offer swimming lessons and supervised swims at locations around the Lothians. We can coordinate day trips to East Lothian, The Pentlands and Central Scotland. Bespoke swims are also available at locations in other areas including The Trossachs, Isle of Bute on the West Coast and Aviemore in the Cairngorm National Park. Swimmers know the deeply calming effects of immersion in water. Here, Tessa Wardley explores and explains why wild swimming can leads to such great awareness and calm. Tessa is an environmental consultant and has written previous books on rivers and woodlands.The story of Captain Webb, the first person to swim across the Channel. A short but interesting read. Swimming to Antarctica by Lynne Cox

This is a classic book about marathon swimming, written in the 1970s. The only copies I could find were very expensive – perhaps pressure is needed on the publishers to reprint it! Swim Speed Secrets A beautifully illustrated book which explores the traditions of cold-water swimming and dipping in Scandinavia and beyond. Dr Susanna provides detail of why Winter Swimming provides such a boost to both body and soul, through this shared experience in the outdoors and in nature. This wonderful outdoor activity can influence our happiness, our energy and our inner tranquility, and give us that winter glow.

Scotland is famed for its rugged coastlines, pristine beaches, endless rivers and deep lochs. The whole country is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. In this unique guide, adventurer Mollie Hughes introduces many of her favourite places to paddleboard, kayak, swim and surf. Mixing world-class surfing breaks with kayaking adventures on the west coast, and urban paddleboarding along the Clyde with invigorating swims in the lochs of the Cairngorms, the book shows us how to access and enjoy these varied blue spaces. Mollie includes her own personal experiences and tips, enabling wild watersports fans of all levels to make the most of the amazing opportunities Scotland has to offer. (Publisher’s Synopsis) The Mindful Art of Wild Swimmingexplores how swimming in rivers, lakes, and seas is the very epitome of conscious living. Zen-seeker Tessa Wardley reconnects the physical and spiritual cycles of life to the changing seasons and flow of wild waters worldwide and leads the reader on to a mindful journey through the natural world. With expert insight and personal anecdote, she shares a sparkling clarity on why our relationship with open water is so fundamental to pure wellbeing, and reveals how wild swimming can be the ultimate Zen meditation. For local / regional (non UK) coverage of wild swimming places, you will find more places, and the additional coastal locations, in our individual Wild Guides, or more detail in the Wild Swimming Walks series.

UPDATE: We got a lot of responses from readers suggesting good wild swimming books so have included them below. More recommendations welcome.] WSS Members can request to borrow the 2008 version from Maree Books with “Wild Swimming” Reflections Taking The PlungeWim Hof shares both his life story and his knowledge / experiences with Cold Water Immersion. He introduces his three-pillar approach, where you can learn to harness the three key elements of Cold, Breathing and Mindset. A great read, regardless of whether or not you choose to follow his methods. He outlines, so many of the benefits which have been brought to us recently through the media. His personal achievements are phenomenal and he encourages each one of us to use his guide to improve our health and performance, although perhaps not go as far as emulating his daring feats! We are delighted to be able to bring you a variety of sessions which aim to accommodate all levels of Wild Swimmer. If you have not yet started this amazing outdoor activity and would like a helping hand to get started, we would love to support you in your first endeavours. A novel: George Owens swims the river Dee from source to sea. Currently only in Welsh but English translation may come soon.