I have spent the last two weeks with an old university friend who I haven’t seen for 14 years (since her wedding). The key reason for our prolonged separation is that she lives in the British Virgin Islands and I, alas, don’t. However, after a late night Facebook conversation, she flew in the face of sensibility and headed for the UK!
We are both bookworms and so when I suggested we do the London book bench trail, she gave a resounding YES and we had one of the best days out I’ve had in a while. If you haven’t heard about the book benches, you can read more , but basically there are 50 benches secreted around London, each celebrating a different author. They are to be auctioned off in October and I wish I had the means to buy one! They are so beautiful and it was like doing a treasure hunt around London. We walked for 5 hours solid and completed two trails – ‘Riverside’ and ‘City’. Along the way we came across other ‘bench hunters’ and everyone was very amenable when we turfed them off various benches so we could take photos. I loved it so much, I went back with the kids the next day! The Riverside trail is perfect for the kids – most of the benches are children’s authors and it starts at London Bridge and ends by the Globe theatre – all along the South Bank which is perfect to scooter! All three of my children (ages 4, 7 & 9) scootered the whole thing AND over millennium Bridge to St Paul’s AND along Fleet Street and The Strand to Charing Cross. If you find yourself in London and needing a day out, this is perfect. Plenty of cafes and restaurants along the way and all the sights to see – Tower Bridge, The Gherkin, HMS Victory, The Golden Hinde, The Globe, St Paul’s…just brilliant.
I’ll leave you with the benches, which speak for themselves. It might take a few moments to load (go and make a cuppa – it’s worth the wait!)…which is your favourite? Can you guess the author for each one?
4 Responses to “Book Benches”
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Oh how absolutely magical! That was just stunning. From one bookworm to another, I wish I could have been there (unlikely right now as I live in France) but maybe next time. Anna
Thanks, Anna. They are just so beautiful for all the right reasons :-)
I hadn’t heard of these – and to think I studied English Literature in London… Think I’ll have to take my two sometime – the trail looks a lot more interesting than the cat statue trail I once had to do with work!
We’re doing this trail tomorrow! My last day with Gwen AND Austin, before he starts school. A fitting final hurrah, I reckon!
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