Remembering Ann Sayer: The Woman Behind the Bushy Park Bench

Posted on February 26, 2026

Picture of Ann's Bench: Teddington Town

When we shared the story of the new curved bench destined for Bushy Park back in October 2023, we didn’t explain the full story behind its purpose. Since then I thought I'd make a follow up piece that explains why it's not just a beautiful addition to the park’s landscape, but it also stands as a memorial to an extraordinary woman whose life and achievements touched the world of sport, walking and the local community.

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Plaque picture credit: AndyScott

Who Was Ann Sayer?

Ann Rosemary Sayer MBE (16 October 1936 – 15 April 2020) was a remarkable English athlete and adventurer — a pioneer in both competitive rowing and long-distance walking.

Born in Kent, Ann’s sporting journey began at university where she took up rowing. Her talent quickly became evident: she represented Great Britain at the Women's European Rowing Championships in 1960, 1962, and 1964, competing among the best crews in Europe.

But Ann’s achievements didn’t stop on the water.

A Trailblazer in Ultra-Distance Walking

After rowing, Ann turned her focus to long-distance walking — a discipline that would bring her international recognition:

In 1977, she became the first British woman to qualify as a Centurion, walking 100 miles in under 24 hours — a feat that defied conventions and established a new benchmark for female endurance athletes.

In 1980, Ann set a new record for the Land’s End to John o’ Groats walk, completing the legendary coast-to-coast route — some 840 miles — in 13 days, 17 hours and 42 minutes, a record that stood strong for years and earned her inclusion in the Guinness Book of Records.

Her resilience and relentless spirit were a testament to her remarkable endurance and dogged determination.

Recognition and Later Life

For her contributions to sport, Ann was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2005 — a fitting honour for an athlete whose achievements broke new ground for women in endurance sport.

Later in life, she remained deeply involved with her community in southwest London and around Bushy Park, where she volunteered, led community walks, and worked with local visitor initiatives.

A Lasting Legacy at Bushy Park

In 2023 a bench was installed in the Woodland Gardens of Bushy Park in her memory, funded by a legacy she left to the Friends of Bushy and Home Parks. The plaque on the bench celebrates her life as a long-distance walker, record holder, MBE recipient, volunteer and beloved member of the local community.

This bench — crafted by Woodcraft UK — now stands not just as a place to rest, but as a meeting point and a tribute to a woman whose passion for walking, fitness and nature inspired many.