The origin story
Back in the summer of 2019, Sam was just hanging out in the Penllergare Valley with friends when he spotted a bench adorned with flowers. It got him thinking about all the memories attached to these random spots, and he jokingly suggested that someone should start rating them. Lowkey, he actually did it. He launched an Instagram account called RateThisBench, mostly to make his friends laugh.
Finding his rhythm
While he originally planned to delete the account, his dad got super invested, and it turned into their favorite after-dinner tradition. Before he knew it, the page blew up to 27,500 followers. He eventually got serious with a formal rating system: he gives points based on the view, the comfort (armrests and backrests are key, no cap), and the material—wooden benches get top-tier status, while cold, city-center metal ones are an instant L.
A total W for love
One of his followers, Sophie, messaged him to "rate" him as a reviewer. They hit it off immediately, went on a few dates, and the rest is history. Sophie eventually became his designated photographer. This past June, they got married in a churchyard in Gloucestershire. He even bumped his favorite bench—where the couple spent hours dreaming about their future—from a 9/10 to a perfect 10/10 after they sat on it as newlyweds.
Why it matters
In a world where we’re all glued to our screens, Sam’s story is a reminder to slow down. It’s giving wholesome main character energy, but more importantly, it proves that you don’t need a massive plan to find something meaningful. Whether it's a park bench or a new hobby, just taking five minutes to exist and be present is a major flex for your mental health.
