Between September and November 2026, you can uncover a city-wide gallery of more than 30 giant 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. The Learner Programme has been sponsored by Hopscotch Childrens Nurseries.
You can view the list of groups taking part below.
Photo by Emma Bailey
How it works
Schools, nurseries and community groups in Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex fundraise for a BookBench.
They decided as a school, nursery or group how you wish to design and decorate your BookBench.
The BookBenches will be displayed from September – November 2026 for all to enjoy. They will be in indoor locations.
After the event the BookBenches will be returned to their schools, nurseries and community groups.
Photo by Emma Bailey
Participating groups
Hopscotch Nurseries
3rd Hove Scouts
Amazing Futures Brighton & Hove
Amazing Futures Eastbourne
Benfield Primary School
BHASVIC
Bright Horizons, Wish Park
Brighton Aldridge Community Academy
Brighton City Education Alliance
Carden Primary School
City Academy Whitehawk
Cottesmore St Mary Catholic Primary School
Dorothy Stringer School
Elm Grove Primary School
Hangleton Primary School
Happy Valley Pre School
Herons Dale Primary School
Hill Park Secondary
Hillbury House Nursery
Hove Park School
Hove Village Nurseries
Kiddie Capers Childcare
Lewes Old Grammar School
Longhill High School
Patcham High School
Peter Gladwin Primary School
Portslade Aldridge Community Academy
Priory School Lewes
Queens Park Primary School
St Andrew’s C. E. Primary School
Stanford Primary School
Tarnerland Nursery
Varndean School
Westdene Primary School
Wonder Years Nursery
Woodingdean Primary School
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Contact us
You can email us on [email protected].
Or alternatively call us: 01273 234014 (Monday – Thursday, 9-5pm).
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In partnership with
Learners Programme Sponsor
