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December 16th, 2005

The top benches overlooking the sea

I have decided that I am going to make my Guide to the UK my life’s work, for the next day or two at least. It is now at number 634 in the rankings – if you were to link to it it might even get up into the mid 400s.

I am currently needing some more ideas for the ‘top benches overlooking the sea’ paragraph. Where are the top benches in the UK overlooking the sea? Be aware though that should you suggest them they could become very popular with people coming from all over the world just to sit on them. There could be queues and everything.

Thanks to Alice for her bench in Swansea. I don’t think I will list another in Swansea otherwise Swansea will become over-popular with people coming from all over the world just to sit on it’s benches. There could be queues and everything.

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This is a single Cartoon Blog entry, posted by Dave on Friday, December 16th, 2005 at 3:44 pm.

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10 Responses to “The top benches overlooking the sea”


  1. Moog says:

    it doesn’t quite over look the sea, but it is a top bench. It can be found at the top of the McBean(sp?) steps at Scarborough, and is a bench placed there by Jimmy Saville.

    The story is he was sat in a cafe and saw a bench that had been dedicated to the memory of someone who had died. Sir Jim thought it looked a little lost on its own so he had a bench placed next to it, and as he is not yet dead the dedication reads “Jimmy Saville – not quite yet!”

    Now that has to be the number one bench

    December 16th, 2005 at 4:07 pm
  2. blonde says:

    tho to be fair there are several good ones, due to our disproportionate amount of sea and it can get quite tiring just watching I s’pose

    December 16th, 2005 at 4:13 pm
  3. TC says:

    I would suggest the bench(s) atop the cliffs in front of the Abbey at Whitby. Wonderful views over the North Sea in ahead and fantastic views of one of the oldest monastic establishments of the UK behind. Also there is the Count Dracula connection, if you’re interested in that sort of thing. To access these benches there is the flight of 101 steps out of the old town or you can drive up, but there is a minor parking charge during the summer months.

    December 16th, 2005 at 6:20 pm
  4. KT says:

    Pick any bench along Plymouth Hoe and you get a beautiful view, with battleships and submarines parked in the Sound. Go on a Thursday and you’ll see all the HMS’s out on their playday.

    And there’s a bench in Bangor, on top of the hill to the north of School Road that has a lovelly view over the Menai Straights. Can’t remember exactly where as it was dark and I’ve only been there once.

    December 16th, 2005 at 8:43 pm
  5. Dave says:

    Thanks everyone – these are great. I’ll be adding them to my ‘Guide to the UK’ page over the weekend. More would be most welcome. Any in Scotland or Northern Ireland?

    December 16th, 2005 at 9:20 pm
  6. Tractor Girl says:

    The bench half way up the cliff at Bishopstone (on walk between Herne Bay and Reculver Towers – an English Heritage site) is one which gives a beautiful view, taking in not only the sea, but also the recently added windfarm turbines.

    December 17th, 2005 at 11:01 am
  7. Nefertiki says:

    A most worthwhile project, Dave, and one for which you are well qualified. I enjoyed it also because following the GUIDE TO THE UK link brings you to some other amazing titles too, like Guide to Crap Towns in the UK, which lead me to Museum of Bad Art. I will post some suggestions of my own after I research some details of their location as much time has past since I visited them, but I feel they must still be there.

    December 17th, 2005 at 6:01 pm
  8. maggi says:

    in between scarborough and whitby, you really should stop at the bench on top of the hill at Robin Hood’s Bay. Then go down to the beach and walk the length of it, and back up the hill, stopping off of course for a half pint at the pub at the bottom. I recommend half a pint rather than a pint, not just because I’m a girl, but because you might not make it back up to the bench at the top on a full pint. It’s a steep hill.

    December 18th, 2005 at 11:08 am
  9. Nefertiki says:

    My research is done. I can now submit my choice for site for great bench-warming. It is in the formal gardens at Pollok House, Glasgow. I sat on a bench overlooking a body of water (White Cart River?) which I recall as a smallish pond. Delightfully situated across the water was a curious herd of shaggy highland cattle, right where they could have a look at the tourishts. Nice tearoom in the basement of the house. (Very light basement, not dank, dark or dundeony.)

    December 18th, 2005 at 8:22 pm
  10. Liz H says:

    For Scotland, try Coldingham Sands.

    The bench on the hill to the right of the beach as you stand looking at the sea. I have a picture taken from there as my desktop – very serene.

    December 19th, 2005 at 11:52 am