Countryside Book Club – Summer 2025

Following on from our ‘Spring’ edition, here is some of our PR and Comms team’s favourite countryside-themed books for summer. None of the books mentioned are new and so can easily be found at your local library or even a second-hand bookshop.

At The Pond – Swimming At The Hampstead Ladies Pond – collection of authors

This book is a wonderful relaxing read for the warmer months. It is written by numerous people, all telling their experiences of swimming in the Ladies Pond on Hampstead Heath, London. It describes stories of joy, grief, solitude and transformation of those that have swam in its silky waters. Beautiful descriptions of scenery frame personal stories.

Growing Goats and Girls – Rosanne Hodin

This memoir is the story of Rosanne and her husband Michael, who move from London to rural Cornwall to run a farm. Rosanne’s diaries, which have formed this book, tell of learning how to live off the land, rear farm animals and keep bees. It also depicts thirty years of changing landscape across rural Cornwall and juggling raising two daughters in the process.

The Lido – Libby Page

Our third book is another swimming-related read, but it is so optimistic and sparkly that I just had to include it. Our first fiction book of this summer round-up is the story of an unlikely friendship sparked by a love of swimming. Rosemary and Kate have very different lives, but both love the tranquillity of swimming in their local lido. When the pool is threatened with closure, they join forces for the community. This is the perfect light-hearted read to take on holiday, filled with kindness and the joy of making new friendships.

The Lost Spells – Robert McFarlane and Jackie Morris

This book is so special, it is hard to categorise. It is best described as a collection of poetry by Robert McFarlane, interwoven with beautiful illustrations by Jackie Morris, where every page is a work of art. Accessible to both adults and children alike with its sweeping sentences and stunning high colour illustrations, it is a celebration of nature and of the animals within it. The inside cover of the book reveals it has now been adapted for song, dance, radio, card games and more. A special read.

If you try any of these books, let us know what you think on our socials and look out for our next book picks in the coming months! If you do wish to buy, rather than borrow, you can buy online from a local independent bookshop at bookshop.org

Happy reading!