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All the United Kingdom England West Sussex The Long Bench

The Long Bench

This multicolored meandering masterpiece is Britain's longest bench.

West Sussex, England

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AdOYo
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The Long Bench shelter.   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
The Long Bench shelter.   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
  Steve 55 / Atlas Obscura User
Long Bench detail   Rob Fearn / Atlas Obscura User
The Long Bench   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
The Long Bench   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
The Long Bench shelter.   AdOYo / Atlas Obscura User
The Long Bench   Jeremy Bolwell
The Long Bench   Mightyhansa
The Long Bench   Mightyhansa
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About

The Long Bench along Littlehampton’s seafront, is the longest bench in Britain. At 1,000 feet long and being able to seat over 300 people, it's also believed to be one of the longest in the world.

Unlike many seaside towns, Littlehampton’s beach is level with its seafront path, allowing those sitting on the bench to have an unobstructed view of the sea. This seafront path is also influential in the Long Bench’s design, for the sinuous seat flows along the path not only in a straight line, but also weaves around lamp posts and bins. 

The bench itself is equally, if not more, naturally varied in its tone. Composed of several thousand slats formed from salvaged tropical hardwood, the slats display a multitude of different species. In addition to the various wood shades, stainless steel bars of many colors are incorporated into the areas where the bench weaves, plunges, and bends.

Enriched not only by its colors and crazy contours, the Long Bench’s creators imagined it much like a charm bracelet that evolved and grew over time. The charms added to The Long Bench come in the form of various messages from supporters engraved into the slats.

As an ever-evolving project, the bench’s personalized slats remain in place for five years before being replaced by others engraved with new memories and messages. The slats are personally engraved, fitted, and maintained by the Aldingbourne Country Centre. 

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Added By

AdOYo

Edited By

Rob Fearn, Steve 55, mbqccd46mp

  • Rob Fearn
  • Steve 55
  • mbqccd46mp

Published

November 26, 2020

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Sources
  • https://www.studioweave.com/projects/longest-bench/#:~:text=The%20longest%20bench%20in%20Britain,award%2Dwinning%20Blue%20Flag%20beach.
  • http://www.longbench.org/
  • https://www.visitengland.com/experience/visit-uks-longest-bench-littlehampton
  • https://www.dezeen.com/2010/08/02/the-longest-bench-by-studio-weave/
  • https://www.dezeen.com/2010/08/02/the-longest-bench-by-studio-weave/
The Long Bench
28 Beach Cres
West Sussex, England, BN17 5NT
United Kingdom
50.802617, -0.535196
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Slayer's Slab

Lyminster, England

miles away

Hiorns Tower

West Sussex, England

miles away

Blake's Cottage

Bognor Regis, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of West Sussex

West Sussex

England

Places 3
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Slayer's Slab

Lyminster, England

miles away

Hiorns Tower

West Sussex, England

miles away

Blake's Cottage

Bognor Regis, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of West Sussex

West Sussex

England

Places 3
Stories 1

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