The Friday Photos: London Benches

TimW
By TimW Last edited 145 months ago
The Friday Photos: London Benches
A sun-dappled bench on the South Bank, by markspokes49
A sun-dappled bench on the South Bank, by markspokes49
Ball and chain, by Stephskimo
Ball and chain, by Stephskimo
Hampsted Heath nice and early, by Laura Nolte
Hampsted Heath nice and early, by Laura Nolte
The view from a tube bench, by Alan-S2011
The view from a tube bench, by Alan-S2011
Barber's bench, by Artee62
Barber's bench, by Artee62
Sharing park space with amusing graffiti bin, by artofthestate
Sharing park space with amusing graffiti bin, by artofthestate
Camel Bench at Victoria Embankment, by curry15
Camel Bench at Victoria Embankment, by curry15
Battersea Park in evening light, by IoanWilliams
Battersea Park in evening light, by IoanWilliams
Bottle on a bench, by psyxjaw
Bottle on a bench, by psyxjaw

How many benches are there in London? It is impossible to say. There are benches in parks, benches by the river, benches in courtyards and benches on tube platforms. They are unremarkable but vital objects, providing Londoners with a space to lounge, sleep, eat and contemplate.

But if you take people out of the equation, benches lose their civic purpose. An empty bench is a melancholic — and occasionally eerie — sight, especially in such a busy city. This selection shows that benches can be objects of beauty in their own right too.

All photos via the Londonist Flickr pool. Many thanks to markspokes49, stephskimo, Laura Nolte, Alan-S2011, Artee62, artofthestate, curry15, IoanWilliams and psyxjaw.

Last Updated 10 February 2012