Internet bench, Internet bench in Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds, England.
The bench features four individual seats with embedded modem jacks, allowing laptop users to connect simultaneously to the internet in the Abbey Gardens.
MSN installed this pioneering internet-enabled bench on August 6, 2001, making it the first of its kind in the world at a cost of £90.
The bench represents an early attempt to merge public outdoor spaces with digital connectivity, demonstrating the rapid evolution of internet access in England.
While the modem connections are no longer active, visitors can still sit on the bench and read about its technological legacy through an information plaque.
Two teenagers discovered they could make international phone calls from the bench and attempted to contact Bill Gates' secretary before reporting this feature.
Location: Bury St Edmunds
Creator: MSN
Official opening: August 6, 2001
GPS coordinates: 52.24490,0.71660
Latest update: March 3, 2025 07:41
Pillar of Salt
48 m
Angel Hotel
71 m
Athenaeum
96 m
The One Bull Public House
74 m
Bury St Edmunds War Memorial
93 m
Ruins of Hall of Pleas and South Wall of Great Court
47 m
Abbey Gate and Gatehouse
18 m
Precinct Wall To North Of The Abbey Gate
33 m
Precinct Wall to South of the Abbey Gate
28 m
Drinking Fountain And Sundial
65 m
Abbey House
56 m
6, Angel Hill
75 m
1, Angel Hill
97 m
4, Angel Hill
73 m
24, Angel Hill
88 m
Crescent House (Number 28)
61 m
Sworders
54 m
North Wall Of Great Court Of The Abbey
71 m
2, Angel Hill
90 m
Richard Green And Partners
84 m
31, 32 And 33, Angel Hill
78 m
28 And 28a, Abbeygate Street
90 m
31 And 32, Abbeygate Street
72 m
K6 Telephone Kiosk
80 m
29 And 29A, Abbeygate Street
83 m
33 And 34, Abbeygate Street
84 m
Scandinavia House
72 m
22, 22A, 23 And 23A, Angel Hill
90 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes