Park benches, benches of parks............wot?

[Crackle]

Best read in a high pitched far back nasally voice, whilst wearing a parka and bobble hat. I might have the voice, not the parka but I do have a bobble hat.

We'll start with my favourite bench or type of bench. A perfect combo of angle and support. Comes in two flavours, the wooden type and the imitation wooden type. The latter dries faster, so I always aim for that one.

Now this one is a wonderful shape but oh so uncomfortable, it virtually folds you in half. Definetly one to avoid.

This one is just minging. Never seen anyone on it.

This is another nice shaped one but a little low and never dries out except when it's sunny.

This one is pretty good but the base is too wide so you can't rest your back easily without slouching.

There you go. A park bench guide.

Next week, memorial badges, shapes, lettering and materials used. Bet you can't wait.

 

[Tim Hall]

I'm a big fan of plaques on benches, with the hope to get something much better than "in memory of xxx". Like this:

 

[Smokin Joe]

You need to stay in more.

 

[MiK1138]

Can't wait for the Dog Poo receptacles guide

 

[MontyVeda]

these ones by the Lancaster canal are too upright to be comfortable for any length of time... maybe to deter loitering.

 

[Crackle]

Can't wait for the Dog Poo receptacles guide

Oh good thought!

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Type 3 are excellent for sleeping on.

 

[MontyVeda]

Being a lanky plank, many municipal seating installations feel a little on the low side for me, however this example in Ulverston is perfect.

...especially on the high side. I spent a good thirty minutes enjoying it whilst having a bite to eat before embarking on the Bay Cycle Way.

Whilst i was sat there, the Google car drove past, but there's still no sign of me on street view.

 

[andabby]

This is my favourite bench, and the view from it

 

[MichaelW2]

Every design student has a go at a chair. Their are countless design books and guides opining on the optimum ergonomic shape and then there is Philippe Starck for those who disdain ergonomics.
Why o why does anyone still make uncomfortable chairs and benches.

 

[Accy cyclist]

The other year i saw someone actually sitting on the metal bolts that held the bench's plank thingies in place. The plank thingies had rotted away so all that was left was the concrete side bits with 4 inch bolts sticking up. Imagine sitting on an upright metal bolt!

 

[plantfit]

Interesting topic, here's a bull carved from a tree trunk and it's surprisingly comfortable, it's in Bassingham village Lincolnshire

 

[Beebo]

My kids on a couple of benches on South Bank.

 

[raleighnut]

Not in a park (unless you think of it as a very long thin one) but I'd always stop here for a brew.

 

[Globalti]

Not quite a bench but Waugh's Well above Rossendale is a lovely place for the weary walker or cyclist to stop. I used to mountain bike there a lot.