Southwold Garden Bench (with back) - 2 Seater
The Southwold 2 Seater Bench with Back is part of our exclusive Southwold Garden Furniture Collection, thoughtfully designed, these stylish garden benches don't just look great but are extremely comfortable too.
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Made by us in the UK
Please Note: Due to unprecedented demand, new orders for the Southwold Furniture Collection please allow up to 8 weeks for delivery
The Southwold 2 Seater Bench with Back is part of our exclusive Southwold Garden Furniture Collection, thoughtfully designed, these stylish garden benches don't just look great but are extremely comfortable too.
The benches are manufactured using high grade steel which is hot dip galvanised and then 'hand etched' to achieve a stunning antique finish which only improves as the bench weathers.
Each piece of furniture is uniquely handmade and finished. The joy and intended appearance of these hand processes means that every piece has its own character that develops with age over months and years. The etched zinc finish evolves with time and use so colours can vary from almost white to dark grey with occasional dark reddish patches. The characteristic aged look is caused by white dusty oxides/carbonates that form over a dark grey base colour. The finish is always varied, it is not a paint and is not intended to be completely uniform. Like knots in wood, you will find smooth bumps and ridges that form as a result of the molten zinc bath in which all pieces are immersed to inhibit the steel rusting. This is a characteristic of the dip process and can be found on all our etched pieces - go to MORE INFO tab for extra details.
Much thought has gone into the ergonomics of the bench design, with careful selection of the thickness of the steel used to ensure there is just the right amount of 'give' while retaining structural strength. The legs use 8mm thick steel for strength and rigidity whereas the bench base and back rest use 3mm slats to give comfort and spring to the bench and the arms use 5mm thick steel. We do also offer cushions for ultimate comfort which are available to buy separately.
The Southwold Garden Furniture range can be seen at the following locations - to find out more details please visit the Furniture Retailers Page:
- Petersham Nurseries - Richmond - https://petershamnurseries.com/
- Burford Garden Company - Oxfordshire - https://www.burford.co.uk/
- Long Barn Garden Centre – Alresford, Hampshire - https://www.longbarn.co.uk/
- The Stamford Garden Centre - Stamford, Lincolnshire - https://www.stamfordgardencentre.co.uk/
- Snape Maltings - Snape, Suffolk - https://snapemaltings.co.uk/
- RHS Wisley at the Trials Fields - Woking, Surrey - https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley
The benches are structurally guaranteed for 25 years, but our testing suggests that all the Southwold Furniture Collection can be genuinely considered as heirloom pieces that will last for generations if looked after.
- Southwold Garden Bench with Back - 2 Seater Version
- 2 Seater Bench measures 99cm Wide x 67.5cm Deep x 88cm High
- 2 Seater weighs 23kg
- 25 Year Structural Guarantee
- Handcrafted and finished using high grade steel
- Tapered front and back shape
- Robust frame (8mm thick) with comfortable seat and back (3mm thick) and arms (5mm thick)
- Attractive scrolled arms, curved bracing and leg detail
- Hot dip galvanised and then hand dressed for exceptional corrosion protection
- Hand Etch finish for a unique antiqued patina appearance that improves as it weathers and ages
- Benches with no back rest are also available
- Range Overview - Click Here
- Delivery may be on a pallet
- Cushions are not supplied but can be bought separately and are available in either Ivory or Grey. The cushions measure 47cm x 47cm x 4cm thick.
- Please Note: Each cushion is for each individual seat on the bench i.e. a 2 seater bench will need 2 cushions.
- Made with Acrylic Canvas the cushions are water resistant but store away during the winter and wet weather
- The cushions can be washed by hand at a cool temperature using hand washing detergent. They need to be allowed to dry fully which can take some time. Machine washing is not advised according to the material manufacturer.
- Furniture Care Pack is available separately - ODL-136 - Pack includes:
- 142g Traditional Beeswax Polish
- Cloth
- Abrasive Pad
- Instructions
Browse the complete Handcrafted Southwold Range with our Online Furniture Catalogue and find out more about this stunning new furniture collection, exclusively designed and made in the UK. We can also send you a free copy, simply contact customer services on 0333 400 6400 or email enquiries@harrod.uk.com and we will get a copy sent to you.
Product Reviews
We have been very pleased with the bench when it finally arrived at our address. The construction of it and its strength was very good and now sits at the bottom of our garden where our old oak bench used to be, as we are able to look up towards our house from where it is sited. Photo graph below.
We are delighted with our Southwold bench. It looks very stylish and the standard of workmanship is very high, we are confident it will provide many years of use. We especially wanted to support UK manufacturing and feel it was well worth paying a little extra to get this high quality product and to support UK industry. Regards Robert Dawes
I dithered for several weeks. I am now so pleased I ordered. We all love it. The bench is comfortable, looks beautiful and in our windy garden will not blow away. Everyone who has seen or sat on it has been full of admiration. A real heritage piece.
SOUTHWOLD GARDEN FURNITURE COLLECTION
This new handcrafted traditional furniture collection takes its name from the popular Suffolk coastal town of Southwold, just a short distance from Harrod Horticultural where we design and manufacture the range in our workshops.
TIMELESS ELEGANCE
The range is inspired by traditional blacksmith furniture which became popular at the start of the industrial revolution over 200 years ago. Many of the shapes, forms and general look and feel quote directly from this heritage.
ENDURING COMFORT
Where our designs differ from tradition however, is the depth of study and care we have taken to ensure that our furniture is as much comfortable as beautiful. Much thought has gone into the ergonomics of the seat designs and careful selection of material section and thickness to ensure just the right amount of 'give' is coupled with the required structural strength. The chair designs for example use a range of thicknesses of strip steel depending on the design need. The legs use 8mm thick strip for strength and rigidity whereas the seat base and back rest use 3mm slats to give comfort and spring to the seat. Cushions can be ordered with your furniture for ultimate comfort but we are confident that even without padding our chairs will be kind to your behind.
HIGH SKILLED PRODUCTION
All of our furniture is hand made by skilled technicians and finished in our workshops in Suffolk where we have been manufacturing for over 65 years. Due to the handmade nature of the products all pieces are unique, these slight differences add up to sets of furniture with real soul and charm in a world of mass produced conformity. Before final finishing all of the products are dipped in a bath of molten zinc which envelops the steel in a blanket of sacrificial rust protection. Each furniture piece is therefore extremely tough and durable, and with a substantial weight, so will withstand the most extreme British weather.
DURABLE FINISHES
The furniture collection is structurally guaranteed for 25 years, but our testing suggests that the furniture can genuinely be considered as heirloom pieces that will last for generations if looked after. Before the final finish, all furniture is hot dip galvanised.
'Hand Etched' finish - the product is chemically 'etched' by hand after the zinc coating is applied leaving an antiqued patina which improves as the product weathers. The magic of the finish, is that the character of each piece only improves with age, the more the seasons pass the more the appearance is enhanced.
Each piece of furniture is uniquely handmade and finished. The joy and intended appearance of these hand processes means that every piece has its own character that develops with age over months and years. The etched zinc finish evolves with time and use so colours can vary from almost white to dark grey with occasional dark reddish patches. The characteristic aged look is caused by white dusty oxides/carbonates that form over a dark grey base colour. The finish is always varied, it is not a paint and is not intended to be completely uniform. Like knots in wood, you will find smooth bumps and ridges that form as a result of the molten zinc bath in which all pieces are immersed to inhibit the steel rusting. This is a characteristic of the dip process and can be found on all our etched pieces.
It is quite normal for tables and chairs to arrive looking mottled grey with some white patches, furniture will also look considerably darker if wet or if it has been recently waxed. The finish tends to move towards whitish grey over the course of the seasons. The more cycles of rain and dry accelerate the weathering especially as the wax ages. Variable environmental conditions means that there is no absolute time for weathering to occur, but typically a product will move towards whiter shades over a couple of months.
Table tops and horizontal surfaces where water may collect may become very white if left for months unwaxed. This can be buffed off to the desired colour with a scouring pad and then wax applied to seal. The wax will darken the colour so, depending on personal preference, it is best to wax when surfaces look as you prefer. The wax effectively stops the aging process by preventing water and rain from weathering the zinc finish. The effect of the wax reduces in time over a season, hence the need to re-wax if the table surface becomes too white.
CARE GUIDE
All our furniture will arrive pre-waxed. We advise applying beeswax polish in the Autumn (or earlier depending on weather conditions and how the furniture looks) and in the Spring. Beeswax polish is available from Harrod Horticultural or from any good DIY store. This can be applied with a cotton cloth, simply wipe on and buff into all surfaces of the furniture. The wax is easier to apply if it's at room temperature or the jar can be warmed to soften the wax by placing in a bowl of hot (not boiling) water. DO NOT wax furniture in cold or extremely hot conditions.
It's not absolutely essential to wax the furniture, but it will enhance the appearance, stabilising the patina. The beeswax will also give the furniture a 'silky' feel, and when it rains you should notice water now 'beads' on the surface, also making it easier to clean. Make sure that you allow the wax to dry fully, and that any excess is wiped off before sitting on the furniture or using cushions.
To clean your furniture, use no more than mild detergent, water and a nylon scrubbing brush. The furniture can be left outside year round in all weathers.
If you live very close to the sea please be aware that a salt laden atmosphere can greatly accelerate corrosion, so we recommend waxing frequently and ensuring that the furniture is washed down with fresh water before application. Please note that the white zinc oxides that develops are not harmful to the skin. Zinc oxide is used in wide range of cosmetics and personal care products.
What The Press Say
BBC Gardenrs WorldSept 2020
A stylish two seater bench
Do you have the perfect spot in your garden for this two seater garden bench? It is part of the exclusive Southwold collection available from Harrod Horticultural. Ergonomically designed to ensure it's comfortable and structurally strong and comes with a 25 year guarantee.
