Man who rates benches on Instagram finally finds his 10/10

ByAndy Howard

Reporting fromOld Sodbury

A man who has spent seven years reviewing more than 300 public benches has finally awarded his first-ever 10/10 score, after marrying the woman he loves close to it.

Sam Wilmot founded the Instagram account Rate This Bench in 2019 after jokingly judging benches while out walking with friends. Since then he has featured more than 300 benches around the world, building a following of nearly 18,000 people.

He had never awarded full marks until revisiting one at St John The Baptist Church in Old Sodbury, South Gloucestershire, on his wedding day.

"People are always asking why there's never been a 10," Wilmot said. "I'm never going to sit on a bench again that's going to have that feeling."

The bench, which overlooks countryside towards Bristol and Wales, had previously scored 9/10 but became the account's first perfect rating after Wilmot and his wife Sophie returned there for photographs following their ceremony at the church.

"The first time I reviewed it, I gave it a 9/10. But when we first discussed getting married, I mentioned that I would like this church to be involved purely on the basis of this bench.

"On the wedding day we came back in our suit and dress, and I reviewed it again and it was the very first 10.

"It had been the ongoing thing with the page, that people are always asking why there's never been a 10, and I think the sort of feeling and euphoria of marrying a person you've loved for so long, I'm never going to sit on a bench again that's going to have that." he said.

Over the years, he has reviewed benches in England, Wales and Dubai, scoring them on everything from design and comfort to their surroundings.

"I was jokingly judging benches whilst out on a walk with friends, and one of them said 'that'd make a good Instagram account', so I just went for it," he said.

Since then Sam's followers have sent him heartfelt stories and photos of why particular benches all over the world mean so much to them.

He said those connections are one reason he plans to continue the account despite having finally found his favourite.

The Rate This Bench marking system is very strict.

"They need to have armrests and a backrest, there needs to be curvature to the seat, I like a bench to be made out of wood," explained Wilmot.

"There's one mark for the base - concreted or paved so that you're not getting muddy feet - it's up to three marks for the view and location, there needs to be a dedication or a plaque, or something to read, and then the 10th mark is always the wow factor."

The lowest rating he has ever given is 1/10.

"The ones I've given the lowest tend to be in city centres where you have the sort of middle barriers and dividing sections, and the arm rest in from the edge.

"It qualifies as a bench, but it's not really a bench".

Wilmot's wife, Sophie, has been the photographer for the page since the couple first met.

"Taking the photos of all the benches is something I feel very grateful for, not only to help, but mainly be a part of the journey," she said.

"The walk to the bench, the conversation after the photos were taken, and the appreciation of the little things in life that are to be enjoyed.

"When I met Sam and we discovered the bench in our early time of dating, I knew it would be a place of significance for us.

"When we decided it was the place we would get married it was only right to mark the occasion once again, but this time I was able to be on the other side of the camera, in Sam's company moments after getting married.

"The best view, on the best day, sat on the best bench."