This autumn, Brighton & Hove has become a storybook. From 12 September to 8 November 2026, The Story Trail is bringing BookBench sculptures to streets, parks and open spaces across the city. We’re proud to be involved as a sponsor and the team behind the trail app.
Created by Amaze in partnership with Wild in Art, the free trail invites people to discover artwork and stories across Brighton & Hove while supporting a charity that helps families with disabled children and young people.
People are already getting out and exploring, with more than 7,000 BookBenches unlocked through the app in the first week of the trail.
A relationship that began in 2014
We’ve worked with Amaze since 2014, creating and supporting its Compass Card and Carers Card apps. For several years, we’ve provided ongoing support for both apps pro bono.
The Story Trail gave us another opportunity to contribute to Amaze’s work. It brings together artists, schools, community groups and local businesses, with plenty of ways for people across Brighton & Hove to take part.
There’s something particularly rewarding about contributing to a project we can see people using in our own city.
Helping people explore the trail
We created The Story Trail app to help visitors find the sculptures as they explore Brighton & Hove, keep track of the BookBenches they’ve discovered and unlock rewards along the way.
Each BookBench offers a reason to pause, enjoy the artwork and discover a story. Visitors can use the app whether they’re planning a day exploring the trail or simply want to find the sculptures near them.
You can find the latest download options on Amaze’s official app page. To read more about how we designed and built it, see The Story Trail app case study.
Our BookBench: Hedgerow Haven
Alongside building the app, we’re also proud to sponsor Hedgerow Haven, created by artist Danni Smith.
The bench celebrates Sussex’s beautiful and biodiverse hedgerows, and the important role they play in providing food, shelter and wildlife corridors for local species. Danni’s design is full of plants and animals found here in Sussex, from robins and spindle to the elusive hazel dormouse.
It’s one of dozens of brilliant and completely individual designs across the trail. Seeing the finished BookBenches out around Brighton & Hove has been a real highlight of the project.
The wider identity for The Story Trail was created by fellow Brighton studio Make Good Design, whose branding brings everything together across the trail, its signage and digital presence.
The whole project has been a collaborative local effort, bringing together artists, designers, schools, businesses and community groups across Brighton & Hove.
Building on a longstanding partnership
The Story Trail reflects something that has long mattered to us at DabApps: building useful, dependable software and working closely with organisations over time.
Our relationship with Amaze puts that into practice. What started with the Compass Card app more than a decade ago has developed into a long-term partnership, and we’re pleased to continue supporting the charity as its work and digital needs evolve.
The Story Trail is also a good example of the kind of technology we like to build: software with a clear purpose that makes something in the real world easier, more useful or more engaging.
Explore The Story Trail
The Story Trail runs until 8 November 2026 and is free to explore. Visitors can also support Amaze through donations, trail merchandise and fundraising events.
After the trail closes, a farewell weekend takes place at The Brighton Centre from 27 to 29 November, followed by the auction on 30 November, raising funds for Amaze.
We’ve already enjoyed seeing people out across Brighton & Hove discovering the BookBenches, including plenty of our own team, and there’s still lots of time to get involved.