A garden bench from Marks and Spencer is winning the hearts of shoppers, who are praising it as a stylish addition to their outdoor spaces. The Stroud 2 Seater Garden Bench bench, which is one of the most popular items in the outdoor furniture category on the retailer's website, has an average rating just shy of five stars.
Priced at £169, the two-seater bench comes in a sage green colour and features heart shapes on the backrest. Its metal frame is also powder-coated to withstand the British weather.
M&S describes it as "corrosion resistant" but notes that some assembly may be needed with a screwdriver. However, many reviewers have said they found the assembly process "easy".
Read more: Dunelm shoppers praise stylish but sturdy garden bench that doubles as storage
One shopper commented: "A lovely bench, attractive looking and well made. Good instructions for assembly and easily put together. We have enjoyed using it."
Another shared: "I love my garden bench, my neighbour put it together for me, really lovely and sturdy. In the morning I love sitting outside with my cup of tea", reports the Express.
A third reviewer added: "Easy to assemble. Well packed. Arrived very quickly after ordering. Great quality at (a) good price. Looks good."
However, not all shoppers were impressed, with a few complaining about the quality and size. One disgruntled customer said: "During assembly, I had to shorten part of the frame with a hacksaw in order to allow bolt holes to align."
One customer commented: "Lovely colour but much smaller than I expected, the cushion needs to be kept out of the rain - mine now has a tide mark where it has dried after rain. Light to carry or move around Easy to build. Just fits 2 people."
M&S also advises: "It is not recommended to leave outside for extended periods of inclement weather or in extreme conditions. To prolong the life of the product the furniture must be stored over winter in a garage or in an unheated ventilated room."
If you're looking to spruce up your garden, there are plenty of other bench options available. Amazon offers the Keter Eden Bench 265L, which doubles as a storage box, for £125, while Wickes sells it for a slightly cheaper price at £110.
Dunelm's Cambridge 2 Seater Acacia Wood Bench is another stylish and affordable option, priced at £95.20.