A man who has reviewed over 300 benches worldwide has given his first ever perfect score-a 10 out of 10-to a bench located in Gloucestershire.
Sam Wilmot, known for evaluating benches based on comfort, design, location, and view, had previously never awarded a full score. That changed when he revisited a bench at St John The Baptist Church in Old Sodbury on his wedding day.
Sam and his wife Sophie had initially rated the bench a 9 during an earlier visit, but their experience of sitting together as newlyweds elevated the bench’s rating to a perfect 10.
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“People are always asking why I’ve never given a 10 before,” Sam explained. “I never thought I’d sit on a bench again that could evoke that feeling. I always believed a ten would come with hindsight after reviewing many benches, but on that particular day, the euphoria of getting married was something very special.”
The couple cherish the bench, which is close to their home and offers a stunning view of the sunset. They have spent many moments there enjoying picnics, hot drinks, or simply taking some peaceful outdoor time away from the hustle and bustle.
“It’s a tranquil spot near a lovely church, which is why we chose to get married there,” Sam added.
Together for six years, Sam and Sophie have visited numerous benches, with Sophie serving as the unofficial photographer for Sam’s Instagram page, Rate This Bench. They first encountered the Gloucestershire bench in 2020 and have returned several times since.
“On date number four, I asked Sophie to take a photo of me on a bench while we were in town,” Sam recalled. “From that moment, she’s been part of nearly every photo, even serving as my taxi driver for a while. After lockdown restrictions eased, we walked there and even found ourselves queuing to use that particular bench since it was relatively new and popular at the time.”
Their wedding celebration subtly honoured their unique hobby-they visited their perfect bench for photos, named tables after benches they’ve rated, and featured a handcrafted bench built by Sophie’s father for guests to sign instead of a guestbook.
“Though we didn’t want our wedding to be dominated by benches, it’s been such a part of our lives that Sophie embraced the idea,” Sam said. “It went down really well. We had a fantastic party with family, friends, lots of music and dancing-it was the best day of our lives.”
While Sam believes another bench might earn a perfect score in the future, he emphasises that it will need to be truly special to match the sentimental value of this one.
“I’m sure we’ll find other benches worthy of high scores for different reasons,” he said. “This bench holds a unique place in our hearts, so the next perfect score will have to come from a different kind of experience.”
Among other benches reviewed by Sam, the Bridgwater War Memorial bench in Somerset received a modest 5 out of 10, with a Lee Abbey bench in Devon achieving a higher rating of 7 due to its location and scenery.
In his detailed review of the 10/10 bench, Sam described it as “as near to perfect as you’ll find-beautifully crafted, perfectly placed, and lovingly donated by a man’s family.” He reflected on the joy of finally sitting on it after a wait, enjoying the sunshine and the view.
He noted the bench’s firmness, arm rests, touching plaque, and solid base as features that contribute to its appeal. Sam also used his bio to quote Samuel Beckett: “We spend our life, it’s ours, trying to bring together in the same instant a day of sunshine and a free bench,” encapsulating the essence of his project.
On the other end of the spectrum, one of the lowest-rated benches was situated in Bathampton near Bath, scoring only 3 out of 10. Sam criticised it for its uncomfortable design, lack of solid base or arm rests, poor location, and overcrowding.
“I’m convinced it’s a chiropractor’s bench,” he remarked, highlighting its awkward slope and inadequate comfort. “It’s in desperate need of some treatment and tidying. Not a bench I’ll be rushing back to.”
Sam Wilmot’s unique hobby continues to bring attention to the simple pleasures of sitting outdoors, combining his passion for comfort with the joy of discovering special places.