Big Dog Bench

There's a bench near Horsham that's become something of a talking point among locals - carved to look like a enormous dog. It's the sort of quirky roadside thing that makes you do a double-take, and that's precisely why it's worth seeking out if you're staying in the area.

The bench itself is a decent spot for a quick pause if you're walking or cycling through Sussex. It won't take more than ten minutes to find it and have a sit-down, though whether you'll want to linger depends on your appetite for novelty landmarks. It's free and accessible whenever you pass, which is refreshing - no gates, no opening hours to check.

Families with younger kids tend to find it amusing enough for a photo stop. Walkers cutting through the countryside might appreciate the chance to rest legs without the usual grind of a formal picnic area. For anyone chasing Instagram moments or collecting oddball British landmarks, this delivers.

If you're based at Raylands Country Park, just three miles away, the Big Dog Bench makes a nice micro-adventure on a half-day outing - combine it with a proper walk or cycle ride through the surrounding countryside rather than treating it as a destination in itself. The bench works best as part of a larger Sussex exploration rather than a standalone trip. It's the kind of thing that justifies itself only if you're already in the neighbourhood.