Skoolie Stays

Tucked away on a privately-owned estate close to the South Downs in Sussex, you’ll stumble across this delightful yellow school bus, originally from Florida. Chosen for its spaciousness and impressive headroom, the Skoolie Stays bus is now living a second life as luxurious, off-grid accommodation with plenty of room for a family of four to enjoy a unique glamping experience. At Skoolie Stays you will experience a remarkable glamping experience not just inside, but also out. The outside spaces are large, private and allow you to while away many happy hours. Soak in the wood-fired hot-tub; lounge on beanbags and cushions on the shaded outside deck under the oak; swing in the hammock area (there are three!) or BBQ in the firepit.

Solar panels, water-saving technology and sheep’s wool insulation ensure that your stay is as environmentally friendly as possible, while the sensitive restoration has retained much of the character of this iconic bus.

From the outside, the striking colour and profile of an American school bus are immediately recognisable. However, step inside and you’ll find that the interior has been carefully designed to create spacious and unique accommodation. It has been hand-built using environmentally-friendly materials where possible, such as recycled American Oak and recovered teak. Original parts of the bus have been recycled and repurposed and you’ll find all the buttons and levers still in the cab.

In the cosy master bedroom at the rear of the bus, there’s a king-sized bed with beautiful views out over the surrounding fields on all sides. There’s space for two children to sleep, or two adults up to 5ft 8, in bunk beds that are designed to fold away during the day. The bathroom features a fully tiled shower and a composting toilet which means no wasted water and no smells.

The centre-piece of the eye-catching kitchen is the ‘penny-table’ countertop, the copper beautifully complementing the wood of the herringbone floor. The kitchen is equipped with a gas stovetop, a fridge and a large sink and is set across from an American diner-style eating area. Two of the original bus seats have been used on either side of a vintage teak school table to create this cosy dining space. There’s also a comfy lounge area with a leather sofa in front of a clean-burning log stove keeping you toasty all year round.

Nestled in a private meadow below the hills of the South Downs, with views over lush green fields and ancient woodland, the Skoolie Stays bus is close to the beautiful villages of Thakeham and Amberley. The private setting means quiet and peace, as well as big skies for framing amazing sunrises and sunsets. There's lots to do, with castles, museums and cosy pubs in the local area also.