Lyra's Memorial Bench — Woodland, Oak

Made in memory of Lyra, a child whose gentleness and joy is written into every carved detail of this bench — rabbits, wildflowers, butterflies and rolling hills, a whole world made from oak and love, placed in a school garden where her friends can still sit beside her.

Lyra's bench began as so many of ours do: with a family and a school trying to find the right way to hold someone's memory. We listened to the stories — the animals she loved, the colours that were hers, the small details that made her Lyra — and carved all of it into solid Welsh oak. The result is a bench full of warmth and life, designed to be used, leaned on, sat in and loved for many years.

Although this bench was made for Lyra, it is shown here as an example of what we create for families and schools who want a lasting place of remembrance. Every piece we make is entirely different, shaped by the person it honours and the people who miss them most.

Key Features

• Rabbits, wildflowers, butterflies and rolling hills — a carved woodland scene built from the details that were meaningful to Lyra and her family
• Personalised poem and name engraving — words chosen by the family, carved directly into the oak
• Solid Welsh oak construction — built for permanent outdoor use in school gardens, churchyards and memorial parks
• Choose your finish — supplied unvarnished as standard, or add three coats of Epifanes yacht varnish for lasting colour and sheen (+£50)
• Painted or natural finish available — hand-painted colour can be added to individual animals, flowers and carved details
• Handmade in Mid Wales — carved by the same small team on every piece, from brief to delivery

Dimensions

• Standard sizes: 150 cm wide (2–3 seat) or 180 cm wide (3–4 seat)
• Depth approximately 60 cm, height approximately 110–120 cm
• Bespoke dimensions available — tell us what fits your space

Your Version

We commission memorial benches for children, adults, beloved teachers, community figures and anyone whose absence has left a space that a garden, school or churchyard needs to hold. Every design begins with a gentle conversation — about who this person was, what they loved, what you want people to feel when they sit down. We can work from photographs, poems, drawings, or simply your words.

Lead time is typically 4–5 weeks. Prices include VAT. Schools and community organisations can order via purchase order and pay on invoice. Get in touch to begin.

Finish

This piece is supplied unvarnished as standard. Left natural, solid oak slowly weathers to a soft, silvery-grey — completely normal for outdoor timber, a graceful way for a piece to age, and with no maintenance needed. If you’d prefer to bring out the grain and warm, honeyed tones, choose the varnished option (+£50) and we’ll hand-apply three coats of Epifanes, a premium marine yacht varnish.