Our brand-new benches are already getting plenty of attention, enjoying their first use under the glorious sunshine this week!
Thanks to the generous support of the Veolia Environmental Trust with a grant of £16,447 through the Landfill Communities Fund, we’ve replaced all 10 of our old benches with durable, sustainable teak. This hardwood is not only built to withstand the test of time but will grow more beautiful as it ages, adding charm and character to the Gardens for many years to come.
The original benches, also funded by Veolia Environmental Trust, were installed in 2012 as part of a major relandscaping project. After 13 years of service and over 60 million visitors, these benches are still functional, but no longer ideal for the high traffic of Jubilee Gardens. We’re giving them a second life by donating them to local community and green spaces, where they’ll continue to be enjoyed.
Benches are a popular and heavily used feature of the Gardens, 47% of local residents, 57% of workers, and 54% of visitors choose to relax on them when they visit. The new benches have been thoughtfully designed to support accessibility, featuring sturdy arms to assist people when standing up, and are more comfortable than the informal granite seating found elsewhere. They have been strategically placed across all areas of the Gardens, so visitors never have to walk far to find a spot to rest. We’ve carefully repositioned some of the new benches to offer even better views across the Gardens and towards the London Eye, giving everyone a picturesque and relaxing spot to sit and enjoy the scenery.
