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

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.

"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."