Book benches in Greenwich

If you've been in Greenwich recently, you'll have come across the 'book benches'. Organised by Books About Town, there are 11 benches in Greenwich situated around the town, in the park and by the river, as part of the Books About Town Greenwich Trail. 

The benches are all designed by local or famour artists and based on literary tomes relevant to the area where they're placed. There are four Trails (Bloomsbury, City, Greenwich and Riverside).

One of the best situated – and most sat-upon, admired and photographed – benches is right by the river in Cutty Sark Gardens and we're proud to say it's by long term Crossfields resident, Michele Petit-Jean (pictured by her bench above). Illustrator, puppeteer, author, musician and multi-talented artist Michele chose to illustrate Samuel Pepys' Diary with a marvellous rendition of the Great Fire of London, which Pepys recorded at the time.

All the BookBench sculptures will be sold at public auction on 7 October at the South Bank, with proceeds going to the National Literacy Trust.