Artist Clare Dales considers the pleasures and curiosities of water in this charming consideration of people and places.

This is more than a charming celebration of swimming. Ponds Pools & Lidos offers a sprightly history, geography, and personal celebration and exploration of watery pleasures, drifting down some unexpected byways. Clare offers brief essays about bathing caps and movie stars, wild swimming and public pools, underwater lighting and swimming suits and of course more.

It all adds up to a distractingly pleasurable browse, and the highlights are Clare’s lovely linocut illustrations – colourful treatments that give the book a wonderful lift.

We have a handful of signed copies to offer. The paperback costs £16.99 - stop by to dip your toe in the water, or take the plunge and order now (posted or to collect at the shop).