Skip to main content

The Coolest Cabin in England is Actually a Converted Bus

By Kelsey Machado Published September 22, 2017

Fall is the perfect time to head to the woods for a weekend getaway. The days are still warm enough for getting outdoors and the cool nights are perfect sleeping weather. If you’re interested in a unique camping experience with five of your best mates, look no further than England’s The Big Green Bus.

The Big Green Bus — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Located two hours south of London in the Sussex countryside, The Big Green Bus is a decommissioned, 1982 West Midlands metro double-decker that has been transformed into a jaw-dropping cabin. This high-end “glamper” is outfitted with the best amenities, including a full kitchen, toilet, shower, and wood-burning stove. The lounge of the converted bus is stocked with books, board games, and an optional picnic basket that includes produce and locally sourced wine and cider.

Recommended Videos

The brainchild of carpenter Adam Collier-Woods, The Big Green Bus was designed to be a comfortable cabin without losing its original charm. Collier-Woods completely renovated the bus all on his own and kept many of the original elements in place, such as the stairs, signage, driver’s seat, and windows. The dining area features reupholstered bus seats. A bright, retro color palette makes the space feel airy and open, not at all cramped like you would expect a bus to feel. The goal was to create a peaceful retreat in the middle of the woods, a place to unwind and enjoy nature — there is no Wi-Fi or television on the bus.

The Big Green Bus — Image used with permission by copyright holder

But you won’t miss technology in such a beautiful location. The bus is set in the rolling hills of the South Downs area of Sussex. You’ll be able to spend your days walking or biking with plenty of pubs along the way). The Big Green Bus is just 30 minutes from the coast, giving you the opportunity for a day trip to check out the pier, restaurants, shops, and pubs of Brighton. There is also a popular farmer’s market in Lewes, a short 10-minute drive away — a great chance to stock up the bus’s fridge with food for the weekend.

Once you’ve taken in the surroundings and are back at camp, The Big Green Bus offers several niceties to help you unwind. The campsite includes a fire pit, outdoor heated shower, and a wood-fired hot tub — the ultimate way to relax after a long day of exploring.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Kelsey is a professional interior designer with over a decade of experience in the design field. With a passion for…

Topics

Camping

Travel

Savannah Beyond the Postcard

Take a look at one of the greatest southern cities from a different perspective.

Architecture, Building, Spire

Savannah is one of those cities that seems almost too easy to like. The live oaks are dramatic. The Spanish moss does exactly what it is supposed to do. The brick sidewalks buckle in all the right places. The houses look like they were designed by people who understood proportion, shade, and the value of a proper front step. Even the light seems to arrive with better manners than it does in most places.

I have a built-in advantage when it comes to Savannah. We have family there, so we have been back several times, not just once for the checklist version of the city. I have also done a photography workshop there, which is a terrific way to learn any city. You get up early, stay out late, and pay attention to alleys, doorways, ironwork, reflections, and the way a city changes when the tourists are still asleep.

Travel

I spent 72 hours in London with only a carry-on. Here’s how I did it in style

Luxury travel doesn't require a checked bag

London

Somewhere between the baggage claim carousel and the Elizabeth Line, I realized I'd already won. As passengers from my Norwegian flight to London crowded around the conveyor belt waiting for checked luggage to appear, I was already on my way into the city. Twenty minutes later, I was headed toward central London with nothing more than a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. I've become a bit of a carry-on evangelist over the past few years. Not because I'm trying to prove some minimalist point or because I enjoy seeing how few shirts I can survive with. I just genuinely think it's the better way to travel, especially for a long weekend in Europe.

My recent 72-hour trip from Copenhagen to London wasn't exactly a backpacker's itinerary. It included a stay at one of London's nicest luxury hotels, rooftop cocktails, dinners worth dressing up for, and plenty of walking through Soho, Covent Garden, and the rest of central London. Somehow, everything I needed fit inside my Travelpro Platinum Elite Slim Cabin Hardshell Spinner V2, with a backpack holding my flight essentials.

Travel

This New Montana Hotel Captures the Poetry of the Open Road

Helena's newest boutique hotel revives the spirit of the classic roadside motel.

Corner, Home Decor, Bed

In case you need another excuse for a Montana getaway this summer, a quirky new boutique hotel has opened in Helena, the Treasure State's capital. The Bell Hotel occupies the site of the former Bell Motel, a classic 1950s roadside lodge thoughtfully reimagined by CWG Architecture. Each of its 14 rooms features locally made chocolates, coffee, and artwork. While in town, ask the front desk about the Bell's Picnic in the Park package. The hotel supplies a basket of local treats and a blanket; Montana provides the sublime scenery and glorious weather. You're on your own for companionship.

Hannah honey was a peachy kind of girl /Her eyes were hazel and her nose was slightly curved /We spent a lonely night at the Memory Motel- The Rolling Stones