( CNN ) -- As part of a scheme to encourage reading , 50 benches designed in the style of popular novels or kids ' stories have been scattered around London . Visitors to the city can find the book benches , which mainly celebrate London 's rich literary heritage , by following a series of trails around areas with strong links to writing and writers . Several prominent artists -- including Ralph Steadman , the surreal cartoonist and one-time sidekick of Hunter S. Thompson -- have been involved in creating benches that feature enduring characters such as Paddington Bear , Mary Poppins , Sherlock Holmes and James Bond . The `` Books about Town '' trails , launched by two UK charities , the National Literacy Trust and Wild in Art , can be found in London 's Bloomsbury , Greenwich , Riverside and City areas until mid-September 2014 . For those who ca n't get enough of literature-themed loungers , the benches will be auctioned off in October with proceeds going to help fight illiteracy .
Fifty benches celebrating popular London - linked fiction have been scattered about London . Paddington Bear , Sherlock Holmes and Mary Poppins among literary creations celebrated by the benches . Seating trails will be in place until September after which the benches will be sold for charity .