Looking to rest your tired feet after strolling around a National Trust garden, you spot a welcoming wooden bench.
Sitting down and taking in the view you suddenly hear the voice of Stephen Fry, a quick look around and you don't see him close by, but instead his dulcet tones are coming out of the bench you are sat on.
No you are not going mad, it is a new idea from the National Trust which has installed eight Bench Mate benches at properties around the UK.
When visitors sit down they are entertained with a short descriptive passage about the area from a number of famous people that the the trust has commissioned including Stephen Fry, former BBC news journalist and Strictly Come Dancing star John Sergeant and one-time England cricket captain David Gower.
Each bench has been individually carved and engraved to reflect each celebrity and if the Bench Mate idea takes off the trust has said others will be commissioned.
Oh yes, and if you don't want your rest disturbed then just get up and take a seat on another bench nearby.
Bench Mates and their locations:
- Stephen Fry, actor and writer -Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk
- Miranda Hart, writer, comedian and actress - Cragside, Northumberland
- Claudia Winkleman, presenter - Quarry Mill Bank, Cheshire
- John Sergeant, broadcaster - Petworth House and Park, West Sussex
- Alain de Botton, philosopher and author - Castle Ward, County Down
- Nick Baker, naturalist and broadcaster - Cotehele, Cornwall
- David Gower, cricketer and commentator -Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
- Iolo Williams, naturalist and broadcaster- Dinefwr Park & Castle, Carmarthenshire
And if you can't get to the places themselves, listen to the Bench Mate clips from the comfort of your own couch.
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