In the National Air & Space Museum

Maybe not quite what we're hoping for in business class these days!

Smithsonian benches

On 'The Mall', DC

Benches on 'The Mall', in front of the national archives, DC

The declaration of independence is in the building behind

Bamborough Castle

An 'indoor' bench looking very sophisticated and ornate.

Berwick-upon-Tweed

 This elevated bench on the walls at Berwick has seen better days, but a great idea for seeing the view over the wall.

Dragon Bench

This bench 'was designed by St Oswald's School in 2005, funded by the local Heritage Initiative and others for Alnwick Community Development Trust to commemorate the history of the Market Place.'

Alnwick Castle

Gothic wall bench at Alnwick Castle -
maybe used by Harry Potter??

The Alnwick Garden Benches

A sunny bench by one of the water features

The bench in the Poison Garden is kept under lock and key

Lichen Bench

 I found this lichen covered bench in a corner of RHS Garden Wisley. Can't have been sat on a lot with its extra covering.

London Design Festival at V & A

The V&A have an exhibition of benches - Bench Years - as part of the 10th Anniversary London Design Festival, from today until a week on Sunday. The benches are in the John Madejski Garden and in no time at all, they were being well used by visitors to the Museum.Here is a series of pictures of the benches in use as well as a story about the one bench that hasn't made it into the exhibition. When we asked about it, the reason seemed to be a conflict between the exhibitor and the V&A.

St Quay Portrieux

These jolly benches were along the harbour wall at Portrieux, alternating yellow and blue - should have taken a blue one, but you can see the blue one in the background. In the mind's eye I could see a row of alternating colours stretching along the prom, but that you can't really see in the photo!

St Malo

Outside a lovely florist's these two are not strictly benches, but very attractive, nevertheless!

St Malo

Along the ancient city walls of St Malo, Brittany

Floral crochetted bench

As Craftspace's In:site graduate festival of creativity - on display in St Philip's Square. Photo from Helen.

Polesden Lacey

We visited Polesden Lacey, a National Trust property in Bookham, Surrey and found benches tucked away down leafy paths, green lanes and under hedges. It was lovely.

Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 2012

RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

Saw these two benches by the Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre, London

Iguacu falls, Brazil

The view was stunning, though the seat itself was somewhat damp!

Emerald Lake, British Columbia

Moraine Lake, Banff Park, Alberta

Johnston canyon, Banff Park, Alberta

Harry's Bench!

Downtown Canmore

Downtown Calgary

Dorking

This bench is in the middle of Cotmandene, Dorking. Cotmandene is ancient common ground overlooking the town and across to Box Hill. In front of the bench are the Almshouses and you can also see the spire of St Martin's Church. In the Long Room of Lord's Cricket Ground there hangs an 18th century painting depicting a panorama of a 'two-stump' cricket match in progress on Cotmandene.

This musical bench is on the spot where a bandstand used to be on South Street. As traffic noise increased the bandstand became redundant as was removed. The bench and its twin remind us of the existence of the bandstand.

Blenheim

Audubon Zoo Bench

Peak district bench

The Royal Hospital Chelsea

Powis Castle

This one came in from Jean

Nature Centre, Birmingham

Some blossomy bunnies at the Nature Centre

Thanks Helen for the picture