It's terrific, I was totally immersed. Loved it! Melvyn Bragg A glorious, evocative, watery treat. Get in, quick! Jenny Landreth - swimmingroundlondon.blogspot.com I loved Taking the Waters. In this age when Health and Safety seems to shut down anything that's a little different, the Hampstead Ponds and Lido are one of the last quirky things we've got left. It's a pleasure to have a whole book devoted to them. It will appeal to swimmers and non-swimmers alike, and to anyone with a love for the offbeat. Tracy Chevalier A really well-produced, rewarding book. Text and marvellous illustrations capture the joys, punishments and unabashed delights of bathing on the Heath. Well worth dipping into. Michael Palin Heavenly pics and riveting story of the Hampstead Ponds. Michele Hanson - Guardian columnist Looks gorgeous! Kate Rew, author of 'Wild Swim' As Davies tells the engrossing story of the ponds development, Corney's modern images of life at the ponds blend with historic photographs to create an invigorating look at how people, no matter where they live, will always find a space to enjoy nature. Outdoor Photography If you're finding it harder than usual to get off the sofa and into a swimsuit, try dipping your toe into Taking the Waters, a scenic celebration of Hampstead Heath's unique swimming spots through memory, history, anecdote and photography Fabric Property Chronicles the social history of all the ponds and the lido on the Heath. The book uncovers that people have been swimming at the ponds for more than 200 years and even champion swimmers and world famous divers have been spotted there. Ham & High Whether you're passionate about the Hampstead pools (as clearly many people are), or wouldn't touch them with someone else's bargepole, you'll find plenty of fascinating history, politics and sporting endeavour in the pages of this book. We suggest you pick up a copy, put together a hamper, toddle along to the lido and enjoy this book cover to cover by the poolside. The Londonist 4* With so much already written about north London's most beloved green space, it's hard to think what else there is to say about Hampstead Heath. Yet Caitlin Davies and photographer Ruth Corney have risen to this challenge with spectacular success, their words and pictures evocatively conjuring the pleasure of swimming outdoors... An enjoyable, refreshing read for those impatiently waiting for summer to kick in. Time Out I defy anyone not to find some pleasure in the pages. The Kentish Towner Well researched and colourfully told. The Observer Corney is an award-winning photographer who provides intriguing, atmospheric images of the Heath waters - a subject she has made her own... Davies has a mischievous sense of humour and an appreciation of social history and knowledge of local affairs which makes for compulsive reading. And viewing too, as there are lavish illustrations of archive photographs, paintings from Constable onwards, newspaper cuttings, advertisements - including a fine array of vintage bathing suits - and other ephemera. Ham & High
