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Travel tales of an empty nester
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Home  >  Blog  >  Literature in London with Books about Town

Literature in London with Books about Town

Trish Burgess Posted on05/09/201406/08/2016 London 31 Comments

While Rory was sunning himself in Corfu with his girlfriend, Juliana, and her family, Dougie and I nipped down to London last weekend for a little break of our own. We did lots of sightseeing, a bit of shopping (new bag!) and just enjoyed being together, practising for what it’s going to be like when Rory goes to university next weekend (pass the hankies!)

I had heard about the Books about Town project: the National Literacy Trust working with Wild in Art to bring literature to the streets of London. Trails of benches, shaped as open books, have been decorated by professional illustrators and local artists. There are four trails – Bloomsbury, City, Greenwich and Riverside – so you can pick a trail and even download a quiz for each one. Of course, we didn’t know this and had wondered why we hadn’t spotted any benches whilst shopping in Oxford Street. The next day, as we sauntered over Tower Bridge to the south side of the river, we found ourselves on the Riverside Trail. It was a wet day, which was in our favour: I could take lots of photographs as no-one was sitting on the benches. We crossed back over the river on the Millennium Bridge and stumbled on part of the City trail too.

If you fancy having a guess at which book is represented on each bench, here is a little quiz for you. See if you can get 10 out of 10. No cheating!

1. 

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10.

 

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31 Comments

  1. Michelloui Reply
    05/09/2014 at 11:07 am

    WOW! I haven't heard of these but what a very cool idea.

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      05/09/2014 at 1:47 pm

      They are super, aren't they. I enjoyed finding the big Easter eggs in London a couple of years ago and these are just as thrilling to spot. Such a fabulous shape too.

  2. Sarah Ebner Reply
    05/09/2014 at 11:22 am

    We did this too, but we did the Bloomsbury one, and saw completely different benches! Our favourite was James Bond, which was fantastic, though Pride and Prejudice was a bit disappointing. It's such a great idea, isn't it? Some are easier to work out then others too (um Paddington Bear!)

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      05/09/2014 at 1:48 pm

      Well done, Sarah, you got one! 😉
      We seemed to spot a lot of children's books. Were the Bloomsbury ones more adult?

  3. Funky Wellies Reply
    05/09/2014 at 11:34 am

    How FABULOUS is that idea!! Pity I cannot make it to London on time to see it. And I so want that Paddington bench now… xx

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      05/09/2014 at 1:49 pm

      I think we need to club together and bid for it in the auction. I wonder how much each will sell for?

    • Troy Reply
      07/09/2014 at 7:27 pm

      Difficult to guess the auction prices without a benchmark.

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      07/09/2014 at 7:54 pm

      Ha!

  4. Expat mum Reply
    05/09/2014 at 12:54 pm

    How long are they installed for? Hope they'll be there next summer.

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      05/09/2014 at 1:50 pm

      Only until 15 September, Toni. They are auctioning them off with the proceeds going to the National Literacy Trust.

  5. Troy Reply
    05/09/2014 at 4:03 pm

    Are they comfortable to sit on? They don't look very comfortable. The Mary Poppins one looks like it is based on the film rather than the book.

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      07/09/2014 at 7:53 pm

      No idea…they were soaking wet so I didn't sit down.

  6. A Modern Mother Reply
    06/09/2014 at 8:06 am

    What a great idea! I'd love to buy one and put in our garden. x

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      07/09/2014 at 7:53 pm

      Me too! Shall we share one?

  7. wellfedfred Reply
    06/09/2014 at 12:10 pm

    So much more fun than overdressed cows or apples!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      07/09/2014 at 7:55 pm

      I had to google that!

  8. Kirsty Jackson Reply
    07/09/2014 at 11:59 am

    I've been meaning to go see these for ages! You've inspired me to get out there!! x

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      07/09/2014 at 7:56 pm

      I hope you get to see them all 🙂

  9. About Last Weekend Reply
    07/09/2014 at 8:06 pm

    Fantastic! Were going to be in london for a couple of hrs and wld love to see these

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      08/09/2014 at 6:36 pm

      If you pick just one trail you can see a lot in a few minutes.

  10. Sarah Reply
    08/09/2014 at 12:11 pm

    I got the kiddy ones (Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, etc.) but no idea about the others. My reading tastes are probably too low-brow to work them out. 🙂

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      08/09/2014 at 6:38 pm

      Most of the ones here are children's books and actually not that high brow, once you see the titles. f you click on the link and then choose the 'benches' tab you can quickly see which ones you didn't know.

  11. Steve Reply
    08/09/2014 at 6:24 pm

    No.1 looks remarkably like Charlie & Lola…!

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      08/09/2014 at 6:40 pm

      Same author/illustrator. The Clarice Bean books by Lauren Child.

  12. Older Mum Reply
    10/09/2014 at 9:39 am

    What a brilliant project (I spotted Peter Pan!)….. an so colorful. I am back from my blogging break. Hope you had a fab summer! X

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      18/09/2014 at 6:11 pm

      Good to have you back. I popped over for a read. X

  13. BavarianSojourn Reply
    11/09/2014 at 8:05 pm

    I will be thinking of you this weekend… What great compensation that you can have more weekends like this perhaps. I hear where he's going to University is super nice for weekend's too you know! (: x

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      18/09/2014 at 6:13 pm

      Yes, Dougie and I are looking forward to some romantic breaks. I'm sure Rory will be delighted if we turn up in Devon. Yoo Hoo!! X

  14. BavarianSojourn Reply
    11/09/2014 at 8:06 pm

    PS. Love the benches! (:

  15. libby Reply
    15/09/2014 at 9:40 am

    I only have two thoughts here Trish……is there some sort of subliminal childrens books/son leaving home vibe going on perhaps? and WHAT BAG???? x

    • Trish Burgess Reply
      18/09/2014 at 6:20 pm

      Must admit, when is was taking the photos I assumed the benches were all children's titles. I think it was because most of the benches in the riverside trail were kids' ones. Honest!
      Oh yes, the bag. Can't believe you're the only one to ask. Made by Fossil, tan leather.
      http://www.fossil.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=32553&langId=10&catalogId=25005&categoryId=453644&cm_vc=453644&pn=&productId=22456369&imagePath=ZB5462206

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