Take a Seat: Rest Points That Make a Difference

Last week, we were really pleased to launch our new seating map on the Trans Pennine Trail website.  It’s been a big piece of work involving lots of people, all brought together through our Take a Seat campaign and unsurprisingly, it focuses on something surprisingly simple: seats!  It might not sound like a big deal, but across 370 miles of Trail, a bench can make all the difference. For some, it’s the confidence to go a little further. For others, it’s the difference between heading home early or carrying on and enjoying the journey. The campaign has got three main aims:

• To build a detailed, publicly available map of benches across the Trail so people can plan trips that suit them, whether they’re walking, running, wheeling, cycling or horse riding.
• To make the Trail more welcoming and help people feel more confident in using it, especially, our older and disabled users, families or anyone who just enjoys a pause to take in their surroundings.
• To help spot gaps – by showing where benches are (and where they aren’t), we can identify where they’re really needed and work with partners to secure funding for new ones.

All of this links directly to our wider goal of creating a real Trail for All, where everyone can enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits of being outdoors.This project simply wouldn’t have been possible without the support of so many people.

• The backing of the Friends of the Trans Pennine Trail and their funding partners such as Foundation Derbyshire, has enabled us to build a new mapping layer and the collection of data by volunteers, specifically across the Peak Park, High Peak and Chesterfield sections of the Trail.​
• The army of volunteers and local partners who have walked or cycled sections of the Trail, logged bench locations using the what3words (w3w) app, checked details and shared local knowledge.
• We’ve also been inspired by best practice from organisations such as the Centre for Ageing Better, whose Take a Seat guidance highlights just how important resting places are for inclusive public spaces.

It’s been a real team effort, and we’re hugely grateful to everyone who’s shared their time, energy and expertise. The seating layer is just the beginning though. Some sections still need surveying and the Trail is always evolving, and so are its benches, with new ones being added, some removed, and others in need of some TLC.  This means the seating map isn’t a one-off. It’s a live resource that will keep growing and improving over time.  This is where we’d love your input. You don’t need any specialist knowledge, just your time and experience of using the Trail.  You can help by:

• Checking the map when you’re out on the Trail – are the bench locations accurate? Do the w3w references look right?
• Suggesting new locations – where would a seat make a real difference?
• Reporting damage – let us know if a bench is broken or unsafe.
• Sharing photos – send us pictures of you enjoying a well‑earned rest along the Trail.
• Telling us your story – let us know how benches help you go further, feel more confident, or enjoy your journey more.

Every piece of feedback helps us build a clearer picture of how we can improve the Trail for everyone. Benches aren’t just places to sit down. They’re places to pause, chat, take in the view, and feel more confident about going that little bit further.  So why not explore the map, get involved, and help us make the Trans Pennine Trail even more welcoming for everyone?

Robert
Date: 19th June, 2026