News / walking
A bench without a view
If you like sitting down to admire the view, this isn’t the place for you, because a newly installed bench in Bristol directly faces a large stone wall.
Looking the other way from this location on the corner of Canon’s Road and College Green, a vista of the Centre opens up. But while on the metal seat, the only visible view is of the retaining wall of the Grand Hotel’s extension.
Although perhaps you can tell a friend sat next to you that this was once the site of St Augustine-the-Less Church until it was demolished in 1962.
The bench forms part of a £1m programme of works to refurbish the traffic lights at the busy junction.
When announcing these works in February 2025, Bristol’s transport supremo Ed Plowden did not mention the creation of Bristol’s most bonkers bench.
Plowden did say the works would ensure the lights “are in working order while also delivering walking and cycling improvements, including better facilities for visually impaired pedestrians and improved cycling links between Park Street and the city centre”.
There is a view of the Centre from behind the bench – photo: Martin Booth
Online commentators have theorised that a bench facing the wall means less of the extended pavement is blocked by bags or buggies, while others say that at least the view is not of the flaking artwork on the Centre.
Carolyn Crompton said: “Benches aren’t always in place to enjoy a view though. Sometimes they are there to rest your weary feet, drink your coffee or catch up with your phone calls or read that newspaper.”
Matthew Lee Richings added: “Most people who live in Bristol probably feel like they’d rather talk to a brick wall so I suppose it’s rather apt.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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