Benches.co.uk Blog

Garden Benches - The Classics

2012-02-09T13:32:00.000Z

Are your thoughts already turning to spring and some warmer weather? It won't be too long before we see some of that spring sun, and you'll be wanting to get back into the garden. What better way to spend time in the garden this year than making a focal point with a beautiful garden bench where you can spend time and enjoy your outdoor area.

Our range of garden benches are manufactured from a variety of materials designed to offer years of enjoyment and hard wearing service, whether you decide upon a classic teak, a mahogany or even a reclaimed wood bench. We also offer more modern materials such as recycled plastics offering contemporary designs for benches and picnic tables.

With all of the benches available from us being created with care and attention by craftsmen, you can be sure they offer quality along with durability, together with style. Our range of benches offers a whole variety of interesting designs such as the Lutyens bench, one of the most attractive benches available at present with a shaped backrest along with rolled arms.

Bengal Garden Swing Seat Set

For ultimate luxury and something a little different, why not consider the Bengal swing seat. Perfect for 2-3 people to relax in, this FSC teak seat offers the ideal way of releasing a day's tension or simply entertaining with friends or loved ones.

If you are looking for something more formal possibly as a memorial bench to remember a loved one by, our range of teak benches offers a perfect tribute. With a variety of sizes to choose from the classic garden bench is ideal for placing in the garden, in a public area or if you are looking for a bench for a commercial environment. We offer an engraving service for our benches which can be used for a special message to be added to any bench purchased.

Alongside the beauty of an outdoor garden, you can add a little practicality to your garden bench with a useful storage area below the seat. A storage bench is a great addition to any garden if you're looking for storage for outdoor cushions or toys or other small outdoor items. Whilst still retaining all the style of the traditional classic garden bench, they are ideal if space is limited, and every small amount of space is important.

The range of benches available will offer many years of service given a little regular maintenance to keep them in tip-top condition regardless of the weather conditions. For instance, when you’re not using your bench always keep it covered, regardless of wet or dry weather conditions. Wherever possible keep it clean by wiping it down with a moist cloth on a regular basis. If you able to store inside during the wetter, colder winter months, then do so.

Whatever your choice, a classic garden bench can help to make the ideal spot for taking a little time out to sit and enjoy each day, whether that’s with a loved one or simply on your own.

Teak Garden Benches

2012-01-16T10:49:00.001Z

The spring and summer months maybe a little way off yet, but now is a great time to consider planning the outdoor area of your home. Whilst pondering any plans for the garden you may have why not include investing in a garden bench for those lovely days of spring, when you can sit back and enjoy looking over the fruits of your labour with a hard earned cup of coffee.

A garden bench with a traditionally classic design offers comfort and looks superb in almost any garden setting, along with a great place to sit and soak up the atmosphere of a warm balmy spring day.
There is a huge variety of garden benches available ranging from classic garden benches which offer simple design and beauty through to more functionally designed styles such as a garden storage bench which offers an ideal area for keeping bench cushions when not in use.

If you're looking for something a little more unusual you can also find interesting shapes and patterns of benches for example the tree bench which is circular in shape, comes in two halves and can be bolted together for simple assembly around a favourite tree.

Teak Garden Bench

Teak is a most popular material for garden benches of all shapes and sizes and owes its popularity due to its long lasting nature and durability against the weather. A hardwood material, teak is as popular today as it has ever been thanks to its low maintenance requirements and stylish look. It is simple to clean if required with stains from spilled drinks and food being easily removed with a little soap and water and a good scrub.

With a little oiling teak benches can last a lifetime, offering a slow colour change over time as it matures into the garden setting. Having been used originally in the Middle Ages for shipbuilding you can be confident when buying a teak garden bench that you will be buying a product that will give you years of great service, whether you store it inside during the winter months or leave it outside with a good quality cover for protection.

Let’s also not forget that Teak garden benches offer environmental advantages due to the raw material being found and harvested in certified teak plantation areas in Southern Asia. This offers the benefit of reducing harm to the environment and decreasing the number of trees destroyed in more sensitive areas such as South America.

A garden bench will also make a wonderful gift for a number of different occasions. For a loved one who is no longer with us, a special birthday to remember or even a wedding present. With the ability to engrave a message or a pattern, you can purchase a bench and tell whoever it’s for just about anything you want within reason, with the most popular being a memorial bench often placed in a more public area such as a park or woodland area for others to enjoy as well.

Whatever your seating requirements are for the summer this year, a garden bench makes an ideal purchase, offering a lifetime of appeal and a wonderful focal point to any outdoor area.

Park Benches

2011-08-30T15:53:00.001+01:00

It appears to be a fashionable development at the moment to look towards an open area such as a park or other kind of public space and see a positive improvement in many areas by way of the amount of outdoor equipment available. This includes picnic benches and park benches with which people can make use of the surrounding areas so much more so than ever before.

As we attempt to get our children ever increasingly more into the outdoors and take time and consideration to enjoy the open areas around us, it is fantastic to see the variety of park benches that are an option to take advantage of, whether that is to sit and enjoy a picnic in the sun, or perhaps to simply sit and enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee whilst the children make use of the facilities around them.

What is evident is the rise in memorial benches, which appear to have grown to become more popular than ever in parks and public spaces through which loved ones and family members can donate a bench with an engraved message to perhaps be sited in a favoured location in which people spent time with each other. They are a lovely reminder of special places and warming to many people who sit and spend time on these benches.

Needless to say it's not only public places which happen to have outdoor areas that may take pleasure in picnic benches being accessible. Organisations are getting to be more acquainted with the wishes of their own personnel wanting a little thinking time during the working day and where possible park style benches fit in very well into the company image for workers to spend their break or lunch times unwinding and recharging their batteries ready for the remainder of the day or even for a relaxing drink after the work is done.

Social events laid on by companies can be the perfect opportunity for an organisation to make use of outdoor areas, together with picnic benches they may have, entertaining staff and clients alike. For organisations in search of that extra something special engraving their company name or message into a bench can be found in a number of areas for promotion or additional exposure and is a great idea to get the message across.

For more commercial establishments such as pubs and clubs, picnic benches are ideal for the garden areas, and as long as the weather is not too cold or wet, you can almost guarantee customers will be sat outside making use of them in all seasons.

The range of styles of park benches as well as picnic benches becomes ever increasing with traditional, classic wood materials such as teak and also hardwood from responsibly managed forest areas joined by more modern contemporary alternatives, for example recycled plastics provides you with the chance to do your bit for the environment.

It appears not only private outdoor areas and gardens are a great place to spend time relaxing on a bench. The range of picnic benches available for the commercial sector makes it a great time to be out and about enjoying the best of the parks and outdoor areas available as well.

Looking after your Garden Bench

2011-08-15T11:22:00.001+01:00

Spare a consideration for your garden bench as summer slowly gives way to autumn. Your beautiful garden bench which has offered so much pleasure during the past few months may look a little forlorn in the coming months if it is left to the elements, and even though garden furniture is meant for the garden, often the side effects of the UK’s inclement weather tend not to sit well with your bench or other items of garden furniture you may have invested in for your outside area.

Here are a few examples as to what damage garden benches could be prone to:

Dryness: During a sustained dry period in the winter months, your wooden garden furniture can dry out and crack. This can lead to your bench becoming less sturdy and far less attractive.

Water Damage: If cracked or split, your furniture will become particularly susceptible to water damage during winter. If the water collects in the cracks or splits and freezes this will create larger cracks and splits.

Warping: If the temperatures vary from hot to cold dramatically regularly, the wood can become misshaped.   

A simple solution for protecting your garden furniture is to be certain that it is covered up and in doing so, provide it with a great chance of looking its best for when the sun makes an appearance next spring. Garden furniture covers are the ideal solution offering waterproof options in addition to high durability to maintain your bench as well as other furniture items snug and dry.

It is recommended to invest in a strong one, which fits well, or you could very well find high winds will blow them off leaving your furniture fully or partially exposed. Fortunately, covers are available to suit most shapes and sizes of garden furniture now; these include items such as patio furniture in addition to more interesting shapes such as parasols and not just benches. They may well be the perfect solution should you not possess the room or the strength to get your furniture indoors somewhere.

A very good cover is not only about protecting garden benches from the unwelcome weather though; consideration should be given to sunlight too. It maybe worth keeping an eye on the weather should it be set fair for a particularly warm period. If you are away for any length of time during such a period, you may choose to consider covering your outside furniture safeguarding it against the ravages of the sun's rays.

Making use of a cover will help to extend the life of your bench by protecting the wood from damage. It will still need regular maintenance to remain in tiptop condition, however any damage will be nowhere near as substantial and certainly far less time consuming.

Lazying in the Garden – Swing Seats

2011-07-29T15:38:00.001+01:00

As children it seems most of us had some kind of fascination with swings in the park and an affinity with swing seats in the garden.It appears to be fair for most of us that fascination still remains and is never far away when it comes to garden bench swings.

We are happy to report the fascination we had as children can be quenched thanks to garden swing seats being a real popular favourite nowadays once again. As an adult, a garden swing seat is a great place to sit and take a break from the gardening or the everyday occurrences that go on around us. These classic pieces of garden furniture offer the ability to lose ourselves somewhere for a little while especially if they are sighted out of the way somewhere in a corner of the garden, for example. What could be better than to sit back and relax or simply curl up on your own and release the tension of the day whilst you enjoy the sun and your outside space. If entertaining is your thing, a swing seat on the patio is ideal for relaxing on a summers evening sipping on a cool, quenching pre-dinner drink with family or friends, whilst waiting for an al fresco dinner from the barbecue.

With a variety of shapes and sizes, from a simple two-seater free standing type, for a more intimate experience, such as the Bengal Swing Seat complete with a canopy to protect you from the sun’s rays through to a more contemporary design such as the Glider chair which offers a drinks holder in between the seats, and a locking system which will lock the chair to stop the rock, the choice is limited only by your imagination.

Stylish, versatile, and suitable for two or three adults, a Teak swing seat will enhance any garden or outdoor living space. They make such a wonderfully lavish addition to your garden for those lazy days, they are capable of bringing you enjoyment all summer long. Indeed they are an absolute must if you take your relaxation seriously and enjoy spending time in the garden.

Swing Benches made from teak can offer something unusual and a little luxurious. They will offer many years of service to you and are the perfect seat to spend a summer's afternoon on. Whichever design you settle on, they all make a fantastic fun addition to your garden area and will certainly be memorable for the next generation to take into their adult lives.

Picnic Tables

2011-07-12T09:38:00.002+01:00

There is nothing more enjoyable on a nice sunny day than to have a picnic with family and friends.A picnic table is the perfect piece of furniture to bring the family together with a meal or barbecue, it offers the opportunity for you to spend quality time together.

Picnic tables are available in a variety of designs to suit all needs and with most having the ability to seat up to 6 people they are a great way to spend summer evenings with the family or entertaining with friends.

We offer a great range of picnic tables and picnic benches, whether you are looking for a picnic table for your garden, or for more commercial use such as for a pub garden, a park or similar public area. Our ranges include picnic benches and tables that are manufactured from environmentally friendly FSC materials such as Pine and Hardwood.

Picnic tables are traditionally manufactured in a variety of wood materials for example Meranti hardwood, which comes ready oiled for instant use, or environmentally friendly FSC Pine wood. However, the materials used for picnic tables has evolved and an eco table constructed from recycled plastics is now available making it ideal for the ecologically minded.

Whether your choice is a classic picnic table design, a round table for entertaining or maybe a contemporary design for a more modern feel we are confident that we have something to meet your needs. If you are looking at making your outside area or commercial space more attractive and social space, picnic tables are certainly a item of furniture worth consideration.

Reclaimed Teak

2011-06-23T13:49:00.003+01:00

If you're looking for something that is a little special for your garden, then look no further than the range of reclaimed teak furniture we stock and sell. With garden benches and furniture being a great garden accessory, now is the time as we head fully into the summer period to look for that something different to add character to our outdoor area.

Our range of reclaimed teak benches are the ideal products and perfect for adding rustic charm to your garden. The range offers stunning solid reclaimed benches and teak furniture that are strong and durable and will certainly last an age. Manufactured from salvaged wood they also give you the opportunity to give something back to nature as well. By reclaiming the wood from old ox carts, fence posts and buildings this range of benches and furniture is ideal for outside use and the seasoned wood is excellent for indoor use having the advantage of a rich patina that ages beautifully.

Each bench is unique and offers an interesting design for the most discerning customer, from a simple Reclaimed Teak Park Bench through to a rather fanciful Wagon Wheel Garden Bench made with a full antique original wagon wheel or if you are looking for something a little different a Teak Wheel Bench complete with double draws is a popular addition to any garden. Our heavyweight option weighs in at a truly massive 132kg; our Teak Root Garden Bench is certainly very different and is manufactured from genuine teak roots. For something a little more traditional but still imaginatively designed our Teak Hub Garden Bench is manufactured from genuine wheel hubs.

The variety of benches available is vast with a choice to suit all pockets and tastes and all come with our finest quality and service. Any item would make a fantastic addition to the home or garden. It’s a great feeling when you’re sat enjoying your morning coffee or afternoon tea, having the knowledge to know you have a product which is unique and just that little special that you can enjoy for many years to come. So, which one takes your fancy?

Lutyens Bench

2011-06-20T15:34:00.002+01:00

If you are looking for something special to add to your outdoor space this summer, then why not consider a Lutyens bench ?Benches are a great place to sit and enjoy your garden, and now you can do it on a charming and stylish Lutyens bench. With its high back and curved, rolled arms the Lutyens is one of the most attractive and increasingly popular garden benches around. One of the things that make this type of garden bench so popular is that it is more reminiscent of a sofa than a traditional garden seat; the bench derives its name from Sir Edmund Lutyens who designed the Thakenham bench. You will find the Lutyens bench in a range of Cuprinol garden colours or in unpainted wood, depending on your taste.

Wooden benches are great garden favourites and come in a variety of shapes, styles and finishes. You will find Lutyens benches in two sizes, 150cm and 190cm. The teak Lutyens bench is made entirely of natural teak and is designed to age gracefully. You can have your garden bench engraved if you would like as a memorial or tribute to someone, engraving costs £59.95 and UK mainland delivery is charged at £15.99 on all Lutyens benches. The teak bench comes in both available sizes and costs £399.99 and £499.99 respectively. The elegant, Lutyens Ash garden bench comes in two sizes. The bench is constructed entirely of Ash hardwood and then painted with three coats to give a PU white finish. The Ash hardwood bench costs £299.99 and £399.99, respectively.

The Lutyens painted teak bench is also built to last and to age gracefully. The teak bench is available in sizes 150cm and 190cm and is painted in a choice of Cuprinol garden colours. If you want some real garden style then this is the bench for you, the painted teak hardwood bench costs £449.99 and £549.99 depending on your size choice. Whether you are looking for a bench for your own garden, or you want one to grace a public space, the Lutyens bench is the ideal option.

Storage Benches

2011-05-24T12:06:00.002+01:00

Summer is on its way and like many people your thoughts are probably turning to how you can make the best of your outdoor space during the warmer months. If your budget can run to it then some extra seating is always a good idea, especially when people come to visit. Most of us love to spend more time in the garden during the summer and garden benches are a great place to be able to sit and enjoy the blossoming flowers that are the result of loving care. Summertime is also the time when friends and family come to visit for alfresco meals and one way of making more room in your outdoor space is to put things away when they are not in use.

Nowadays people tend to have more garden accessories than ever before and only the same amount of space in which to keep them. Everyone has things in the garden, cushions that need to be protected from the weather when not in use, garden tools and kid’s toys. All too often things get left lying around, making the garden untidy. A good way to protect your garden cushions and to stow away anything that is not in use, is to consider one of the attractive, teak garden storage benchesthat are available today. Storage is especially important when you have a small garden because the lawn and the pathway can easily become cluttered.

Most of us find that we enjoy our time in the open air more, when there is not a lot of garden clutter constantly in sight. Not everyone is lucky enough, or has space enough, for a garden shed, which means they need to think of alternative methods of storage. If you have a small garden then you will benefit from dual purpose furniture that is both attractive and useful. A sturdy storage bench is just one of the many different types of benches available and will provide extra seating while at the same time keeping things safe and dry when they are not needed.

Choosing Your Bench

2011-05-16T09:57:00.002+01:00

Summer is almost here and it is the time when most people like to be outside as much as possible, enjoying the garden that has taken so much work to develop. Many families also like to spend some of their summer days enjoying the local park as well. If you are looking for a memorial bench for your local park or market square or wherever people like to take a walk, there are some fantastic teak benches around right now. What better way to honour a revered local public figure than with a public memorial bench?

When it comes to choosing a garden bench there are some great ranges available. If you are looking for a garden bench on which you can sit and enjoy your garden then we have a wide range of benches in stock. Whether you are looking for a storage bench, a memorial bench or even a tree bench, you are sure to find something suitable. Storage benches are great if you need some extra garden storage spaces, they offer a place to sit and keep your garden tidy at the same time.

The classic teak garden bench is of a traditional design and has a high back for extra comfort while its wide arms are perfect for balancing your drink. If you have a large garden with a tree then a circular tree bench will make an unusual feature. Tree benches are manufactured from the finest teak, the bench is in two halves that need to be bolted together when fitted round the tree for plenty of additional seating.

Garden benches are among the most popular forms of garden seating and you’re bound to find something that will suit. If you want something different then choose a swing bench for that extra touch of luxury. Memorial benches are extremely popular and not just for public spaces. Many people choose a memorial bench to honour a departed loved one or pet. Take a look at the Darwin Bench, reduced in our garden benches sale to just £199.99, made from FSC certified teak; this is a great bench for any setting.

Engraved Benches

2011-04-19T15:40:00.002+01:00

In recent years there has been a renewed interest in, and appreciation of, garden benches. This is even more apparent when it comes to engraving on benches. People enjoy adding personal touches to their garden and an engraving on a bench is one way of doing this. Most people associate bench engravings with memorials of people who have died, but there are lots of other reasons why people like engraved benches. Whether you want to remember a person, a pet, or a special day, an engraving is a great way of doing this, and it’s also somewhere for you to relax with a drink after work.

You will often find engraved park benches in public spaces and organisations may have benches on their business forecourt that have their company name engraved on them. Engraving is done with a precision machine and overseen by a highly skilled craftsman. Engraved benches are a constant reminder of happy memories and will bring you lasting pleasure.

Memorial benches in a variety of styles are often seen in parks and on towpaths, wherever people are likely to stroll in fact. Beautifully engraved benches provide a memorial to someone who has passed on, keeping their memory alive in the public imagination. An increasing number of people now choose to have engravings on benches with the name of a deceased relative or a much loved pet and these make wonderful places to sit and remember that person or pet and the happy times you had with them. Teak benches have gained considerable popularity in recent years. No matter what style of bench you prefer, the beautiful smoothness and glow of teak wood is something many people appreciate. Teak benches are extremely durable and require little maintenance other than the occasional oiling to keep them looking good. Whether you prefer a classic garden bench or something a bit more contemporary, there is a wide choice of teak garden benches available, so you are sure to find something to suit your particular taste.

Benches Sign Written Van!

2011-04-05T15:43:00.002+01:00

Keep an eye out for a Benches Van near you! We have recently acquired a new van which has undergone a lick of paint to incorporate our logo and web address. Take a look ...

Recycled Garden Furniture

2011-03-22T10:00:00.000Z

If you are ecologically minded and looking for garden furniture then you might want to consider our new range of recycled, plastic garden furniture. Get a new look for your garden and contribute your bit to the environment at the same time with our recycled garden benches and picnic tables. The plastic benches and tables are built for durability using steel reinforcements. These environmentally friendly products are a completely new line for our company and we believe they will prove incredibly popular with our customers. Our benches and tables are constructed from 100% recycled plastic, which is an ideal material for garden and patio furniture, as well as for pub benches and picnic tables. If you are looking for something different in garden furniture then these eco friendly tables and benches could be the answer.

Our plastic picnic tables are weather proof, rust proof and will not warp; the table with its own attached benches is ideal for commercial and garden use and has a natural grain surface. Our plastic backless bench with a natural grain surface is ideal as either a garden bench or for commercial use and is totally weatherproof. The park bench with arms is made from fully recyclable materials and is great for both garden and general commercial use.

Memorial Benches

2011-03-16T16:08:00.003Z

You will find garden benches of all types in people’s gardens because make an ideal perch from which to view the garden or to take a short break when you have been engaged in gardening tasks. If you want a bench for a specific purpose, either for your own garden or for a public space, there is a range of memorial benches from which you can choose one to suit your requirements. Make sure that the bench you buy is the right size for your garden or for the public space it is intended for. Measuring up before you buy a memorial bench is a good idea and will ensure that you get a bench of the right size.

You can purchase a garden bench and then have the memorial engraving undertaken. Memorial benches are made from high quality teak, which is a lot harder wearing and weatherproof than some other hardwoods. Whether you want to remember a pet, a friend, a loved one or even a public figure, a memorial bench is an ideal way of doing this. You can place your memorial bench in a significant area of your garden so that it is visible to everyone and a constant reminder of the pet or loved one who has passed away.

There are many different styles of memorial benches available, whether you want something that stands out from the crowd, like the Serpentine garden bench, or whether you want the more modest plain teak bench.

FSC Benches

2011-02-15T11:16:00.001Z

Take a look at our range of FSC Forest Stewardship Council certified benches are made from teak and mahogany and finished to the highest possible standards. It is the business of the Forest Stewardship Council to promote environmentally appropriate benches, so that the bench fits into its environment and is constructed from ethically sourced materials. You will find only the best wood and finest craftsmanship in these benches. The Serpentine, high backed garden bench is made from FSC mahogany hardwood with curved legs and an unusual curved back. The Serpentine bench is ideal for public spaces but will also make a welcome and attractive addition to your garden. Engraving is available on most of our wooden benches at an extra cost. Some orders come with free delivery to UK mainland destinations.

The Sherwood garden bench is crafted from FSC durable pine and is ideal for your garden or for commercial use as a pub bench. This hardwearing, budget priced bench is constructed from treated wood that has a slight green tinge that will fade with exposure to the weather. The Mahogany rose bench is crafted from FSC mahogany hardwood and has a unique, carved rose in the back panel while carved inscriptions are available on the front rail Spruce up your garden with ethically sourced, beautiful and durable FSC hardwood garden benches. The Mahogany Rose bench is delivered ready assembled and you can purchase optional cushions to go with your bench. Included in the latest range of FSC benches is the large circular tree bench which is ideal for public spaces and a garden with a large tree. The bench is constructed from FSC teak hardwood and has a total circumference of 3.5 metres – great if you are looking for something extra special for your garden.

Great Garden Benches

2011-01-17T10:15:00.005Z

It won’t be long before spring brings some sunshine and people’s thoughts turn to sitting in the garden. Why not get even more enjoyment from your garden this year with one of our great garden benches. Our benches are made from the highest quality hardwood and will give just the right touch to any garden. You can choose from ash, mahogany, reclaimed wood or classic teak. We guarantee that whichever garden bench you choose it will give you years of contentment and enjoyment.

Traditional and Swing Benches

There is nothing quite like sitting at the edge of a lawn, with a full view of the garden and being able to relax back onto a bench that has been accessorised with some of our weather resistant cushions. If you are thinking about getting a garden bench we have plenty of styles for you to choose from, take a look at the traditionally styled Richmond bench or add a touch of country with one of our rustic benches. If you’ve ever been inspired by stories of the American deep south then you will love our latest canopied swing benches. Our teak swing benches include a weather cover and matching cushions so you really can feel like Scarlet O’Hara swinging in the sun.

Our benches are constructed by craftsmen and come to you ready assembled. Many people choose teak benches because it is such a durable wood but if you prefer something a little different you may want to think about a beautiful yet functional Lutyens bench. If you need some extra storage space in your garden then why not consider a storage bench, you’ll still have somewhere comfortable to sit and in bad weather you can store the cushions inside the bench. The classic, high backed teak bench is an ideal choice and fitting tribute as a memorial bench if that is what you are looking for.

If you want something out of the ordinary then a teak half moon garden bench with its stylish rolled back and curved seat will add that extra something to any garden. Our mahogany garden bench with a rose carved in the back will last for years and make a refined addition to your garden. Worried about protecting your garden bench from harsh weather conditions? Don’t be, we have a range of water resistant bench covers that will protect your bench from the elements and keep it dry for when you are ready to use it again.