
Benchy
Created by: Style in Design and MakeGood Design
Sponsored by: Amaze
Location: Churchill Square – Story Trail HQ
Benchy is our cheeky mascot of The Story Trail. Created by Emma from Style in Design, based on the designs of MakeGood Design. You can win Benchy by entering our raffle for just £5! All money raised will go towards Amaze.
Accessibility Guide
Accessing the sculpture
The sculpture will be located inside The Story Trail HQ, inside Churchill Square.
Churchill Square can be accessed Western Road if coming from Brighton and Hove centre. Preston Street and West Street will also take you to Churchill Square if you are coming from the seafront.
By Bus – The nearest routes that stop by this sculpture will be the 1, 1X, 2, 5, 5A, 5B, 6, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 8, 29, 29A, 46, 77 and 270 at the ‘Churchill Square’ stop.
By Train Station – If you’re arriving via train, the nearest station will be Brighton. There is a step-free accessible route via Queens Road, around a 700-metre distance and a 10-minute journey:
- Head down Queens Road before turning right onto Air Road (the lane that cuts down by The Quadrant pub).
- From here you can cross using the accessible crossing. Churchill Square will be in front of you.
Public transport
Buses: At Brighton & Hove Buses, we are committed to making bus travel accessible, welcoming and easier for everyone.
Accessible features across our fleet include audio and visual next-stop announcements, dementia-friendly flooring, priority seating, a dedicated wheelchair bay and separate buggy space. Newer buses also include two dedicated wheelchair bays, onboard hearing loops and dementia-friendly seating, all designed to make journeys more comfortable and easier to navigate.
If a wheelchair user is unable to board, we provide a free accessible taxi as part of our Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Guarantee.
Our award-winning Helping Hand Assistance Cards allow customers to discreetly let the driver know about any support they may need.
Drivers receive accessibility training co-developed with disabled people and local and national organisations.
For accessible travel information or journey support, contact Customer Services on 01273 886200, available 06:00–22:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00–22:00 at weekends and on Bank Holidays.
Further accessibility information is available at buses.co.uk
Trains: Local and national trains are available from Brighton station. All platforms and trains are accessible with ramps and extra support available at request. There are also accessible ticket barriers.
Bikes: The nearest Beryl Bay will be on Western Road/Marlborough Street, around 290 metres away from the sculpture. There is also another bay by Barclays Bank on North Street.
There are Sheffield racks next to the Beryl Bay for you to lock up your personal bike.
Things to expect
Noise Levels – 7-8/10.
Churchill Square is one of the busiest places in Brighton and Hove. Please note that there will be some crowds as this is a hub for shopping and eating, as well as people waiting for buses opposite the sculpture. There will be nearby traffic noise on Western Road, including sudden sirens and horns.
There are numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants nearby.
Parking
Churchill Square (Red). 350 metres away, around a 5-minute journey.
- Step-free accessible route via Regency Road:
- Turn left onto West Street (please note slight hill upwards).
- Turn left onto Cranbourne Street, where you can use the slope at the end of the street on the right to make your way to the sculpture.
- Disabled parking bays on every level of this car park.
- From £6.50 for 2 hours to £32 for 24 hours.
- 6am-10pm.
- Step-free accessible route via Regency Road:
Churchill Square (Green). 230 metres away, around a 4-minute journey.
- Step-free accessible route via Cannon Place (please note a slight hill going up towards Churchill Square), where you can turn right and cut through to Churchill Square.
- Disabled parking bays on every level of this car park.
- From £6.50 for 2 hours to £32 for 24 hours.
- 6am-10pm.
The nearest Blue Badge on-street parking bays will be on Cannon Place. There also a few disabled bays at the top of Queens Square. Please note that there is a slight hill on Queens Square leading up to these spots. Alternatively, you can use a Blue Badge on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours as long as no loading restrictions are in force.
Facilities
The nearest public toilets with male, female, and disabled access can be found in Churchill Square shopping centre itself. These are located on the upper level, accessible via lift, and near the food court.
There is also a changing place located directly in the shopping centre as well. This can be found between Clarks and Pandora and includes a height-adjustable adult changing bench, a ceiling hoist, a peninsular toilet, an accessible shower, and a height-adjustable washbasin. This can be opened by Churchill Square staff.
Description of sculpture
This BookBench has a bright green front with yellow semi-circles dotted around as the pattern. The bench as two large eyes looking to the side with a sideways grin. The pages of the bench are painted pink with the back of the bench painted fully purple.
Meet the Artist
Style in Design and MakeGood Design
Emma from Style in Design is the artist coordinator for The Story Trail. She is a glass artist, who loves working with glass to transform spaces with colour and light. Style in Design specialise in making contemporary stained and fused glass windows and sculptures. Working with traditional and modern methods combining glass, wood and metal. With combined skills, Style in Design produce all aspects of their products by hand. MakeGood Design is a partner of The Story Trail and designed the branding, including Benchy, that you can see on our socials and around the trail.
Proudly sponsored by

Amaze is your local charity who provide vital support and connection for families with disabled children and young people in Sussex. We have organised The Story Trail to raise awareness and funds for our work. To help our community, we need your support. Every pound you raise for Amaze helps children and young people living with disability to get the support they need. You’ll be helping friends, neighbours and people you know access expert advice, practical support and a community of other families with similar experiences.
