BENCHES Exhibition: Free Walking Tour - a playful journey through the overlooked details of public space

What if the most ordinary spot in the city - a simple bench - was actually bursting with hidden stories?

BENCHES invites you to find out. This joyful and thought-provoking exhibition celebrates the beauty of everyday places through the eyes of photographer Tim Hart. His lifelong fascination with benches has grown into a remarkable archive, capturing what most people pass by without a second glance. Through his lens, each bench becomes something unique—full of character, humour, and quiet detail.

With over a thousand photographs on display, alongside an immersive dome film featuring an original score by neurodivergent composer Samuel D Loveless, BENCHES transforms observation into an adventure. It’s also a celebration of neurodivergent creativity, offering fresh perspectives on focus, pattern, and the joy of noticing.

But the experience doesn’t stop inside the exhibition space.

Step outside and see Plymouth through Tim’s eyes on the BENCHES Walking Tour - a playful, fascinating extension of the exhibition that brings his way of seeing into the streets themselves.

Starting and ending at Market Hall, this relaxed one-hour journey invites you to explore benches, street furniture, and the overlooked details that shape public space. Along the route, you’ll uncover quirky facts, surprising observations, and new ways of thinking about the everyday environment around you.

You can follow the route at your own pace with a walking map, or take part in a special guided tour with the artist on 4 April at 10am - a unique opportunity to hear directly from Tim and experience the city through his perspective. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and a livestream will be available throughout the exhibition period for those unable to attend in person.

Best of all, the guided tour is completely free—but with only 15 spaces available, it offers an intimate and personal experience that won’t last long.

Whether you’re drawn to photography, curious about the hidden details of urban life, or simply looking to experience Plymouth in a new way, this is your chance to step into the exhibition and out into the city at the same time.

Book your free place now and discover the extraordinary in the everyday.