The Beauty of Cold
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Beauty of Cold
A photographic guide to the joy of cold water and how it can boost mental and physical wellbeing at every age and stage of life
'Brave, playful and full of heart, this book reminds us that in the cold, we find our true aliveness.'
Easkey Britton, big wave surfer and author of Saltwater in the Blood
Cold water swimming is one of nature's most powerful resets - a plunge into the wild that clears the mind and awakens the body.
From reducing stress to improving sleep, the mental and physical health benefits of cold water swimming are well-known. But beyond the science, there's something more profound: a chance to silence the noise of everyday life and rediscover ourselves through the healing power of cold and the calming embrace of blue spaces.
Cold water coach Gilly McArthur delves into this elemental practice. She shares her passion for icy water and wild places, guiding us through some of her most treasured experiences including daily cold-water dips in winter, swimming in caves and rescuing wildlife. Every encounter or 'glimmer' offers a chance for reflection and renewal.
Whether you're seeking resilience, calm, community or simply the joy of being immersed in nature, The Beauty of Cold offers a life-affirming path back to yourself in simple, achievable and lasting steps.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781035435395
Publisher: Headline Publishing Group
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 21 May 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Welbeck
Illustration: Colour photography; colour illustrations
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 24.0mm
Width: 192.0mm
Height: 248.0mm
Weight: 840g
Pages: 224
About the Author
Gilly is a cold water swim coach and free climber born in the north of Scotland. She has travelled the world in pursuit of these passions and has worked in the outdoor industry for over 20 years. Much of Gilly's work is strongly tied into mental wellbeing and nature connection and she passionately shares her love for cold water and nature with CEOs, charities, sportspeople, A-list actors, businesses and individuals. Her work has been profiled in the National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveller and on the BBC, and she has featured in various award-winning films, books and publications. She is also part of the coaching team working with Outside2, a UK-based university programme exploring the applications for outdoor swimming to help improve wellbeing for NHS patients, and is director of the Women's Trad Festival and founder of Blue Mind Men - a men's cold water swim club.
More from Sports
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
