The Story Trail
In Autumn 2026, the streets, parks and open spaces of Brighton & Hove will become a storybook.
Amaze, your local charity supporting families with disabled children, has partnered with Wild in Art to bring you The Story Trail—a free, fun and family-friendly adventure.
Between September and November 2026, you can explore a city-wide gallery of more than 30 BookBenches. Each one is an open book, designed by a talented local artist and waiting to be discovered.
The story continues with a heartwarming collection of smaller BookBenches, lovingly decorated by local schools and community groups, adding their own chapters to our city’s tale.
Wander through our vibrant city, pause, and take a seat. Immerse yourself in a world of stories our community has to tell. Our BookBenches are more than just beautiful art; they are a place for us all to belong.
#SitWithUs in Autumn 2026 for a journey of discovery and joy with The Story Trail.
Photo by Emma Bailey
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Frequently asked questions
What is The Story Trail?
The Story Trail is a public sculpture trail featuring a collection of small and large BookBench sculptures.
When and where will The Story Trail take place?
The Story Trail will take place in Autumn 2026. It will be across the streets, parks, and open spaces of Brighton & Hove.
How long will The Story Trail sculptures be on display?
The sculptures will be displayed in public areas for eight weeks. After this time, they will be reconditioned and displayed all in one location at our Farewell Weekend between 27-29 November 2026. They will then be auctioned off to raise money for Amaze.
Is it free to follow the trail?
Yes. The Story Trail is a free, fun family adventure. However, we encourage anyone visiting The Story Trail to make a donation in support of Amaze. You can make a donation, purchase trail merchandise or attend an event.
Will there be a map or app to help me find all the sculptures?
Yes there will be a printed map and an app available. The app is being developed by our digital partner DabApps.
What happens to the sculptures after the trail ends?
The large BookBench sculptures will be auctioned off to raise money for Amaze. The smaller sculptures will return to the groups who created them to keep forever.
How can local businesses get involved in The Story Trail?
Businesses are invited to be part of The Story Trail as a sponsor. There are a few different levels of sponsorship, so please get in touch with us on [email protected] to discuss. You can find out more by visiting our sponsorship page https://amazesussex.org.uk/thestorytrail/story-trail-sponsors/
Can our schools, nurseries, or community groups decorate a smaller BookBench?
Yes! Schools, nurseries, youth and community groups are welcome to take part in our learner programme. You can find out more about signing up at https://amazesussex.org.uk/thestorytrail/story-trail-learners
How accessible is the trail for disabled people with different access requirements?
We are designing the trail with accessibility in mind. We are anticipating that the nature of a trail taking place in public areas means that there will be some unavoidable access issues. We will release an accessibility guide before the trail launch in autumn 2026 which will detail as much information as possible.
If you would like to discuss access with us, please contact [email protected].
How will the money raised from the trail directly benefit Amaze's services?
The Story Trail will help raise vital funds for Amaze’s services as part of our plans to increase our fundraising.
Will there be any Amaze-specific events or gatherings related to The Story Trail?
We are open to ideas from families who use Amaze’s services on how we can celebrate The Story Trail together.
Compass Card holders will be able to benefit from a discount on ticket prices for Story Trail fundraising events.
Photo by Victoria Dawe.
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