In The Story of Swimming, Susie Parr traces the social history of British swimming, from the earliest references in Roman and Anglo Saxon literature to the decline of British seaside resorts and traditional bathing clubs in the late 20th century.

The Story of Swimming reveals discoveries in medieval and Elizabethan literature and tells how medicinal sea-bathing flourished in the 18th century, leading to the rise of elegant watering places such as Scarborough. The book examines the role of bathing in the Romantic Movement and in the works of a line of literary swimmers from Wordsworth to Iris Murdoch. The work explores the political aspects of swimming too. When the masses descended on Victorian seaside resorts, class-based conflicts – centred on bathing – were played out on the beaches of Britain. Over the centuries, swimming has even reflected changing perceptions of the role of women.

The publication is illustrated with woodcuts, engravings, cartoons, paintings and photographs, including a selection of Martin Parr images.