Bench Marks

Marking Benches For Benching Enthusiasts

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The First Bench Location: Newtown Station, Newtown, Sydney, Australia. Comfort: 6/10 View: 7/10 This is a very personal bench. It is where I first laid eyes on the girl who would set up THIS VERY website for me. And the girl whom I fell in love with. (They are the same person.) I sat here, anxiously awaiting her arrival all set for our first date, informing her what colour socks I would be wearing so that she could point me out from all the other boys with glasses, beards and enthusiasm for benches. I suddenly became incredibly conscious of appearing overly imposing so I chose to sit with my back to the exit of the train station, looking up towards King Street, saving me from attempting to establish eye contact with someone I've never met. At first, the view was incredibly average, improved suddenly by an impossibly beautiful girl peering down at my socks to determine if I was her date or not. We had ice cream, went to a book shop then drank a few beers. Bench Mark: 11/10

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Behind the Captain

Location: Beacon Park, Lichfield UK

Comfort: 7/10 View: 6/10

An elegantly designed metal strip bench with a green finish, found in the gardens of Beacon Park. You find yourself seated right behind the infamous statue of Titanic Captain Edward J Smith. And there you sit, starting in to the back of his coat.

Bench Mark: 6/10

[tulipnight]

benches at sunset reflecting sunlight by Mimadeo on Flickr.

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What a beautiful shot!

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Bench in the Wall

Location: Youlgreave, Derbyshire, UK.

Comfort: 4/10 View: 4/10

Inscription: “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.”

This bench would’ve got a much lower score if it wasn’t for it’s position. Having just walked up a steep incline from the River Bradford below, we all were in need of a bench to rest for a few moments, low and behold at the top of the path, our beautiful savior. Cleft in to one of Derbyshires iconic stone walls, a well integrated bench. The view was terrible, you’re right on the road and quiet as it was, there isn’t much to look at. But after that walk all you want to do is rest your backside. Although don’t lean back too much! All there is between you and a 3 foot drop is just a thin bar of stainless steel for a back rest. It won’t budge, but it’s absolute agony jabbing your shoulder blades and getting caught in your spine. I tell you dear reader, if it wasn’t for the fact I was shattered, this bench would’ve got a much lower score. But it’s right there for when you need it, and I can forgive all it’s flaws for that. 

Bench Mark: 5/10

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Dartford Plank

Location: Dartford Park, Lichfield, UK

Comfort: 1/10 View: 3/10

Hidden in plane sight on a stretch of popular dog owner destination, Dartford Park, we find a bench that offers, possibly, the best place to view a dual carriageway since carriages were actually used on dual carriageways. The bench is located on a small incline, which gives you a great view over onto the thundering traffic and surrounding hillside. As I walked towards the bench it case a magnificent silhouette against the grey, grey sky. With such a striking pose, I knew this was the bench for me. Now, lets talk about that back rest! A single plank, far too low down. If only it was six inches higher we would have quite a welcoming public bench! Sadly, it’s current position was just right for my vertebrae to uncomfortably nestle, so I had to lean forward and grimace. A right nuisance. But to cheer me up, just on the other side of the path, a whole nest of rabbits. Little did they know just how much they contributed a final score on the internets best public bench reviewing website.

Bench Mark: 8/10 (I don’t know I just really enjoyed myself.)

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The Longest Bench

Location: Lichfield, West Midlands, UK

View: 1/10 Comfort: 4/10

If you take the time to travel down to Three Spires Precinct in the cathedral city of Lichfield, you will find the longest bench in the town centre. Sadly the Three Spires Precinct website doesn’t have much, if any, information on this particular bench, so I was unable to collect the bench’s full measurement. I’m sure it’s a record breaker. What a perfect bench for a whole party, an anniversary gathering or religious ceremony meet ups. What ever the occasion one can invite 7-12 people to sit out side and enjoy the view of Carphone Warehouse employees trying to justify that the word ‘carphone’ is still a popular term. 

Bench Mark: 3/10 on your own.                       4/10 with a large group.

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How many Animals?

Location: Featherdale Wildlife Park, NSW, Australia

Comfort: ?/10 View: 0/10

Well I never managed to sit on this bench, I don’t know how vicious a wallaby can get, but I didn’t want to place my bottom that close to one to find out. Perhaps the pigeon would egg them on after some undeserved peer pressure from the Ibis. Get the animals back in their cages and maybe I’ll be able to do my job more professionally and maybe you’ll get a higher score! (although the view was of the public toilets so it wouldn’t of been that much higher..)

Bench Mark: 2/10

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Here be Dragons.

Location: Cabbage Tree Bay, NSW, Australia

View: 8/10 Comfort: 7/10

The path from Manly to Shelly beach is a habitat to many blue benches and of course, Dragons (or more specifically, Lizards.. or even more specifically Eastern Water Dragons). The bench was comfortable, the lack of four legs was worrying at first, but this bench is strong and polite to your posterior. I may of also given the high comfort rating due to being surrounded by dragons and falling into a game of thrones day dream.

Bench Mark: 8/10

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Bench of Bone.

Location: Glebe, NSW, Australia.

View: 3/10 Comfort: 9/10

Plaque: Sadly worn and un-readble.  

It is quite a striking bench found on Glebe Point road, sitting outside the old post office building (which is now some kind of fashion store). The first thing that attracted me was the unusual arm rests, in some cases they look worryingly organic. The designed tiles on the floor added to the otherworld atmosphere. A well designed and extremely comfortable bench with well varnish wood.

Bench Mark: 8/10

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Gregg’s seat.

Location: Tamarama beach, NSW, Australia.

View: 10/10 or 1/10 (depends which side you sit) Comfort: 6/10

A fantastic little bench, one can almost forget the lack of a back rest due to the incredible view. Such a good spot to watch surfers battle the waves on a Saturday afternoon.

Bench Mark: 7/10

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Coastal Metal.

Location: Bondi, NSW, Australia.

View: 9/10 Comfort: 7/10

Quite a solid rigid frame, fantastic view of Bondi and the coast. Was let down by the comfort, metal benches can get quite cold when the sun isn’t out. Perhaps another day it would’ve got a higher comfort rating.

Bench Mark: 8/10

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Bush Bench

Location: Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia.

View: 3/10 Comfort: 3/10

Interesting Graffiti: Few blue squiggles, possibly words, crafted by a wild young-thing stuck in the country who, in all honesty, needs to be released into an urban surrounding before they masturbate to death.

I’m not gonna lie, it was falling apart and there were bugs on it that could probably kill you. It’s a bench on a track down the side of a mountain for people who are tired.

Bench Mark: 4/10

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First Bench (International) Location: Circular Quay, Sydney, Australia

View : 10/10 Comfort Rating: 2/10 Bench Mark: 7/10

(Guest Bench Marker - CP)

"Thank you to CP for this first post. It really is such a shame that this bench has no back. What is a bench with out a back, but an extravagant plank with feet?"- R