Discarded Sofa Turns Into Unlikely Tourist Attraction in Gloucestershire

In an unexpected turn of events, a discarded sofa in the heart of Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, has transformed into an unlikely tourist attraction. The two-seater settee was unceremoniously dumped on waste ground at the beginning of April, but it has since garnered attention from both locals and tourists alike.

Photographer Alex Elton-Wall saw an opportunity in the forlorn sofa and its surroundings. He has captured the portraits of over 150 nearby residents at this peculiar spot. The abandoned sofa has even secured its own listing on TripAdvisor, and a dedicated Facebook page under the name of Lydbrook Lounge, where visitors share photographs of their experience.

Alex expressed his astonishment at the unexpected turnout, remarking, “A piece of rubbish turned into something fun. As an amateur documentary photographer, it has been a great opportunity to photograph the local community.”

The idea to photograph people on the sofa came to Alex as he drove past it. He was struck by the juxtaposition of the desolate yet inviting appearance of the sofa. He subsequently took to social media, urging individuals to participate in this unusual photo opportunity.

This initiative has seen an overwhelming response, with families, pet owners, local businesses, and even the village football team getting involved. Notably, the village pub landlords attended a photoshoot, bringing along beer barrels to add to the eclectic collection of images. As further testament to its newfound popularity, miscellaneous items such as a side table, a lampshade, and a magazine rack have cropped up alongside the once lonely sofa, potentially thanks to the community’s own secret artist, Tumpsy.

Although the community is enjoying this unexpected phenomenon, they are conscious of the sofa’s fate. Alex emphasized the importance of responsibly disposing the item, acknowledging that “All good things come to an end.”