The Cambridge Book Bench Trail is a set of 12 benches decorated with designs by UK artists, which were placed around Cambridge between 8th July and 16th September 2022. The trail is a partnership between Wild In Art, who produced the Cows About Cambridge trails in 2021, and Cambridge BID.
Eleven of the benches are at locations that were used on the Large Cows Trail; the twelfth is in the Grand Arcade. There is a trail map here that shows the benches and their locations. Unlike with the cows, no farewell event or charity auction has been announced; the benches may be moved between several locations.
Route
The map below shows the route I walked to visit all the benches. This does not correspond with the order of the benches on the trail map.
Gallery
Bench 1 “Pieces of Eight”
Location: First floor in Grand Arcade, on the bridge outside the Central Library
Artist: Donna Newman
Bench 2 “Wonderland”
Location: Beside the Guildhall at the entrance to the Peas Hill passage
Artist: Mik Richardson
Bench 3 “Fairytale Dreams”
Location: By the Grafton Centre entrance, in front of the Old Eden Chapel
Artist: Jessica Perrin
Bench 4 “Once Upon a Fairytale”
Location: In front of the curved arcade of shops in Sussex Street
Artist: Donna Newman
Bench 5 “Peaceful Escape”
Location: Between Christ’s Pieces and the Drummer Street bus station
Artist: Jessica Perrin
Bench 6 “Outer Space”
Location: Parker’s Piece in front of Hobbs’ Pavilion
Artist: Adam Pekr
Bench 7 “Matchstick Men”
Location: Donkey Common beside the path between the pool and skateboard park
Artist: Roy Meats
Bench 8 “Colour Me In”
Location: Grand Arcade, on second floor near John Lewis
Artist: Art+Believe
Bench 9 “Lemur Conspiracy”
Location: Outside the entrance to One Station Square, opposite Cambridge Station
Artist: Caroline Coates
Bench 10 “A Seat for Friends”
Location: Outside the St John’s College Old Divinity School
Artist: Judith Berrill
Bench 11 “Time to Sit & Reflect”
Location: Outside the entrance to the Old Addenbrooke’s site (Judge Business School)
Artist: Lois Cordelia
Bench 12 “A Public Library”
Location: To the left of the University Botanic Gardens entrance on Hills Road
Artist: Anne-Marie Byrne
