When is a bench not a bench?
When it’s a curiosity, a work of art, a window to a stunning view, a much welcome resting spot or a fitting tribute.
We sent you, our local explorers, out on a mission to seek out the most brilliant or bizarre bench in your local area. Here are our top picks for Brilliant Benches – Mission Complete!
16 of Britain’s best brilliant benches:
Ideas bench – Dorchester, Dorset
Spotter: Jacqui Fogg
Bench intel: This bench is the perfect spot to take some time out, reflect, and come up with new ideas!
Heads bench – Cockington, nr Torquay
Spotter: Jon Cornish
Bench intel: Some great history of past residents on these heads!
Xylem Voices – Alderbrook viewpoint, Surrey Hills
Spotter: Liz Grant
Bench intel: It is called Xylem Voices and was designed by sculptor Walter Bailey. Made from oak, it represents six xylem vessels which are the way trees transport water up their trunks.
Castle bench -Chepstow Castle
Spotter: Gareth Jenkins
Bench intel: A stunningly carved castle bench!
Diving helmet bench – Whitstable, Kent
Spotter: Diane Berry
Bench intel: If you sit where the diving helmet is, you can sit with your head in it!
Fun fact: Whitstable harbour was the first place to develop an underwater breathing apparatus.
Keyboard bench – Perivale Park, West London
Spotter: Allen Tsui
Bench intel: Fantastic keyboard bench in memory of English pianist Nikky Hopkins.
Treorci bench – Rhondda Valley, South Wales
Spotter: Claire Williams
Bench intel: It represents the musical heritage of Treorchy Male Voice Choir, singing throughout the mountains of the valley.
Lock view bench – Loch Vanachar, Scotland
Spotter: Vivian Viljoen
Bench intel: Just a bench with a stunning view!
Colour change bench – Alresford Creek, nr Wivenhoe, Essex
Spotters: Richard Martin & Sarah Sherratt
Bench intel: The colours on this bench change depending on which way it’s viewed and are amazing in the sunlight.
Question benches – nr Barbican Tube Station, London
Spotter: Sonia Field
Bench intel: Part of ‘Around the Corner’ – a commission inspired by a quote from the novel ‘Jacob’s Room’ by Virginia Woolf. Follow the words to get to the end of question!
Afternoon tea bench – Aberchirder, Aberdeenshire
Spotter: Susan Middler
Bench intel: Time for tea and cake on this fab bench. The perfect ending to any adventure!
Brilliant benches spotted by the team at TT Towers
A selection of our favourite brilliant benches spotted by our Trails Writers and TT Towers Team on our explorations!
Framed view bench – Falmouth, Cornwall
Spotter: Jacqui
Bench intel: Just a great spot for a photo! I love the way the stones frame this view.
Bench poetry – Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Spotter: Neil
Bench intel: Whilst we don’t usually set clues on benches (someone might be sat in the way!), we do often spot unusual ones to point out in a Trail, like this fantastic limerick tribute!
Welcome ceramic bench – Stone, Staffordshire
Spotter: Ivan
Bench intel: Created by local school children in 2008, this Welcome to Stone bench certainly gives a warm welcome to any secret agents on the Stone Spy Mission!
Bench with a view – South Bay, Scarborough
Spotter: Jane
Bench intel: Another bench in Scarborough, but it does have so many! This is one I got to sit on and enjoy sharing the view with my dad a few years ago. I took in the castle views whilst Dad enjoyed a spot of birdwatching.
Very long brilliant bench – Stourhead, National Trust
Spotter: David
Bench intel: This bench is perfect for social distancing, or for a very large group not to have to squabble for a spot!
Do YOU have a better brilliant bench near you!
If you have a better bench where you live, we’ve love to see it! Post your brilliant benches on the Treasure Trails Facebook page, or tag us on Twitter and Instagram to show it off!
Get bench spotting on your local Treasure Trail
Spice up your local walk with a Treasure Trail, safe in the knowledge that you can take a rest on a bench at anytime! Treasure Trails offer self-guided treasure hunt, detective mystery or spy mission themed adventures across the UK, and we can officially guarantee you’ll pass at least one bench in every Trail!
rachelfoxton 5th November 2020
Posted In: Challenges
Tags: Benches, Challenge, Competition, Escape the Everyday, Explore Local, Family Fun, Local Treasures, Lockdown2UK, Love Local, Love Where You Live, Mission One
