M@
London's Famous Bench Dedications
Other famous dedications
In a city the size of London, we suspect there are dozens of further places where you can park your posterior on a celebrity memorial. We'll add to the list below with any reader suggestions:
See also : London's most outspoken plaques
The 'Reasons to be Cheerful Sonic Vista Bench' can be found in the Pembroke Lodge area of Richmond Park, overlooking sweeping views of the Thames. It commemorates musician Ian Dury. Solar panels in the arms power MP3 players stocked with Dury's music. Sadly, they've been broken on our last few visits, but a fix is in the works . Image by M@.
Lionel Bart gave the world such hits as From Russia With Love, the music for Oliver! and Cliff Richard's Living Doll, so memorably covered by fellow bench dedicatee Rik Mayall and the Young Ones. Bart's bench is in Kew Gardens, and is pictured here by Peter Denton in the Londonist Flickr pool.
Morse actor John Thaw is one of several people to be commemorated in the gardens of 'actor's church' St Paul's Covent Garden. Image by M@.
Kirsty MacColl's tragically short life is commemorated with this plaque in Soho Square, referencing one of her most famous songs. Image by BLTP Photo in the Londonist Flickr pool.
We're not entirely sure if business guru Lord Digby Jones sanctioned this commemoration or not. Nevertheless, the cross-bench peer has a less-cross bench in Phoenix Gardens, Covent Garden. Image by M@.
Alfred Salter was a famous doctor and politician who dedicated his career to improving social conditions in Bermondsey in the early 20th century. His statue beside the Thames was stolen in 2011. Following a campaign, enough money has now been raised to recast the good doctor, along with statues of his daughter Joyce, pet cat and, for the first time, his wife Ada. Image by M@.
This bronze likeness of Spike Milligan was unveiled in his former home of Finchley. "It should have a little mechanism in it that you sit down and it farts," said fellow comedian Terry Gilliam. Photo by Terry Moran in the Londonist Flickr pool.
Perhaps the most famous example of statues-on-a-bench recreates a meeting between Churchill and Roosevelt. Several castings of the sculpture exist - the most prominent can be found where Old and New Bond Streets meet. Image by psyxjaw in the Londonist Flickr pool.
Not a famous person, but perhaps London's most famous bench plaque, on the South Bank. Image by M@.
Slightly off-topic, but we were tickled to find that the various newspapers have reserved pews inside St Bride's on Fleet Street. Image by M@.