STAYING ON THE SCHOOLBUs
Your stay at Big Sky Hideaway is almost here! We can’t wait to welcome you into our peaceful little off-grid oasis.
This is your go-to guide to all things Big Sky so please take some time to read this (and save the link to this page) before you set off and it’ll help you find your happy feet when you arrive on site.
And do take a look around the rest of this website for pictures, things to do & other FAQs
Site Rules
Check-in: 2pm
Check- out: 11am
No pets. We love all animals, dogs included, but sadly our alpacas and the hundreds of ground-dwelling birds in our meadows do not
Click here to read all of our Frequently Asked Questions
OUR ETHOS
Big Sky is a place to escape to and enjoy nature in. Our skies at night are dark and wonderful for stargazing, and during the day our surrounding trees and woodland act as a hug to everyone within.
We use and re-use as much as we can here, more than 95% of the site is powered by renewables and all of our toilets and showers are eco friendly. We try to be as thoughtful as we can for both our guests and the environment, and will do absolutely everything to make your stay comfortable, enjoyable and memorable (in the right way!). Oh, and if you have an EV vehicle we have a 7.4kw charging point on site for you to plug into.
At any point before or during your stay please feel free to ask us for anything, we always appreciate feedback when we can do something about it rather than afterwards on the Internet!
We’re pretty easy going and we’ve created a simple place. We really hope you enjoy your time with us.
WE NEED YOUR DETAILS
Sorry for the extra admin but please email the following details for our official campsite records (and we also like to know who is camping in our garden :))
Names, ages, email address and phone number of each guest in your group
Email address and one home address for the booking
All vehicle registrations
Check-in
You're welcome to turn up anytime after 2pm on arrival day, and check out by 11am when the day comes to head home.
Please send a whatsapp to 07872 986084 giving your eta with at least 30 minutes notice
...and we’ll do everything we can to meet you as you arrive. Campers park on the grass to the left of the track past the first cabin (with the bin store). If you’re glamping wait on the track and we’ll show you to your home away from home :)
LOCATION & DIRECTIONS
Please read and even print out the details on our directions page. We’re tucked away and don’t have a sign out on the road, mostly because we’re a hideaway :)
The key info is: put the whole address into your GPS, not just the postcode, as that alone won’t get you to us.
As you drive down North Forty Foot Bank we’re on the only wiggly bit (the rest is very straight) with woodland. Look out for the Larringtons sign, Big Sky is down the track shown in the picture.
YOUR ACCOMMODATION: THE SCHOOLBUS @ BIG SKY
We're excited for you! We have some very cool places to stay at Big Sky but the Schoolbus is probably our favourite (sssh, don't tell anyone!). We'll give you a quick tour when you arrive but just so you know....
PS. You can find pictures and more info about the Schoolbus on our website: www.bigskyhideaway.com/schoolbus
Inside you'll find:
Two-hob gas stove
Electricity (courtesy of the solar panel on the roof). Not suitable for high draw items like hair dryers, slow cookers etc!
2 x USB points (on plug in bedroom) and plenty of standard sockets
Lights!
Sofa + 2 very comfy chairs
Breakfast bar with 2 x stools
Running water (cold and drinkable)
Kettle for gas hob
Bins inc. recycling
Bowls, plates, cutlery
Frying pan
Saucepans
Utensils
Coffee and tea
Mugs
There's no fridge on the Schoolbus but there is an igloo cooler for which we supply regularly chilled ice packs!
Nb. We’re in the countryside and food attracts attention from our small friends :) We provide air tight boxes for you to put any food in and suggest that you wash up after meals and don’t leave food or scraps lying around, inside or outside.
Outside you'll find:
Your own little garden, because every bus should have a garden
Firebowl (we sell wood @ £5 per basket)
BBQ (we sell charcoal on site)
Picnic table
Another bar-style table that hangs casually off the side of the bus
Private eco loo behind the bus
No no’s:
No smoking on the bus
Please don’t climb on the roof
If you have kids please don’t bring paint! We really like the inside (and outside!) of the bus!
We ask that you don't use candles or any open flames inside the bus (with the exception of the gas hobs)
Don’t use the gas hobs to heat up the bus - (we can't believe we have to write this, but it has been done!) - if you’re cold let us know and we’ll bring over blankets, a heater and/or hot water bottles
No ballgames by the bus (the windows are expensive!) We have a games field with football goal by the barn
The bus is super comfy and might lull you into believing it functions just like a house, but please put food in food waste and not down the sink, it’ll save us some unblocking time :)
What you should bring:
Bedding (Duvet + covers + Pillows + covers, we'll provide the bedsheets)
Towels
All the food and drink you need
Clothing: check the forecast, and bear in mind the bus is a tin can with lots of windows so you’ll feel the outside temperature more than you would in a normal house. If it’s cold, bring more layers, if it’s warm - great! Make sure you have some cosy options as well as waterproofs and wellies in case of wet weather (feel free to ask us what we’d recommend for any given time of year.
Hot water bottle (great for early spring and late Autumn stays)!
Head torch
WATER, COOKING AND WASHING UP
Water is one of the most precious things at Big Sky (aside from the alpacas!) so we like to save it wherever possible.
We’ll provide fresh water for you, and there’s a cold pump-action tap on the Schoolbus. For hot water, boil it up in the kettle :) If you notice your water is running dry just let Dave or Em know.
For washing up, we ask that you only use the eco-friendly washing up liquid which is provided for you. All the washing up run-off will be saved to water our newly planted trees and crops
DRY TOILETS & WET SHOWERS
As you might have guessed, we love nature and want to give back to it as much as we can so by using our compost loos, you’re helping to provide nutrients to our growing tiny forest for years to come.
The Schoolbus boasts its very own private ecoloo, right behind the bus. Inside the bowl there’s a little separator that means liquids and solids go to different places. The main rule is: don't stand to pee! All other instructions are in the loo (don't worry, it's pretty simple, we've all been doing it all our lives:))
We’ve a hot shower block in the far corner of the camping meadow, which you’re more than welcome to use.
There’s also a little cubicle for solar showers behind the schoolbus. We’ll provide a separate jerry can of water and a solar shower, which on sunny days will warm up nicely. It won’t have the power of the main shower, but there’s something lovely about showering in water heated by the sun. We hope you like it! (A bag will happily serve two people)
Here’s a video guide
CAMPFIRES
Big Sky Hideaway is a peaceful getaway and we love the sound of nature, crackling of the campfire, laughter and memories being made. It is the perfect place to leave all your worldly distractions behind, watch the incredible sunset and marvel at the stars.
The Schoolbus has it's own firebowl and separate standing BBQ. We'll have firewood available for purchase for £5 a basket (these include kindling but not firelighters) and charcoal for food cooking.
You're more than welcome to take a wander or find a spot to relax in our small woodland but please stick to the paths and don't forage for firewood! We're working on a woodland management plan to bring our woods back to full health after years of neglect and by selling seasoned firewood (and not the wet, smoky twigs and sticks on the forest floor( we have funds to help us look after our woods, new and old.
By the way, if your firelighting skills have grown rusty feel free to ask us to get your campfire going, we’re always happy to help :)
Finally, health and safety! Fires are only to be lit in designated bowls and pits. You're welcome to bring your own BBQ and stove as long as it has legs. Please don’t use BBQs (disposable or otherwise) on the grass.
ALPACAS, THE PADDOCK & FEEDING
It goes without saying that you’re going to fall head over heels for our adorable herd of fluffballs.
The alpacas are inquisitive creatures but they are all pregnant or new mums so need to feel safe and chilled in their own space. Please do not enter their paddock unless invited by Dave or Em.
They also have specific diets so please don’t feed them. If you’d like to meet, feed and learn all about the alpacas, it’s £5 per person for a 30 minute hang out, including feeding time, including plenty of photo opportunities!
DOGS
Regretfully we can't have pets at Big Sky, even well behaved ones. We love all animals, dogs included, but sadly our alpacas do not, and at any given time of the year either we have young alpacas around, or pregnant mums, and sadly other animals really stress them out. As we've re-wilded many parts of Big Sky hundreds of ground-dwelling birds enjoy the place too, another reason that we can't have dogs here.
LOCAL SUPPLIES
When you send us a WhatsApp or text with your eta we'll reply with a list of items available on site, things like eggs from our chooks, freshly baked bread, drinks, firewood, charcoal and other bits and bobs. You can see our up-to-date list by clicking here
We'll keep a tab for you during your stay and before you leave there’s an honesty box next to the barn where you can pop some cash in return, or just hand Dave or Em the money.
We recommend bringing your supplies with you but Boston is only a 10 minute drive away and has all the supermarkets you could ever need.
A couple of minutes walk around the corner is a small discounted dry goods run by our awesome neighbour Karen (derek-meeds-foods.com). It’s perfect if you’re after handy camping meals involving tins or pot noodles! They're closed on Sundays.
The closest local convenience shop Langrick Bridge Store run by the lovely Sue & David. It’s only a 5 minute drive and would take about 45 mins to walk to (but…they’re closed from 1pm Saturday until Monday morning).
SITE RULES
We’re a peaceful, quiet hideaway designed to offer a lovely escape into nature. Please respect our lovely land and everyone you meet in and around it. These rules are in place to make sure all of our guests enjoy a peaceful break at Big Sky.
Arrival time is between 2pm and 9pm. If you're going to be later than this please let us know in advance.
Checkout time is between 7am and 11am.
Quiet time on site is between 9pm and 8am. Please be mindful of our animals, lovely neighbours and other guests on site.
We close our gates at 9pm. If you’re arriving late please let us know in advance, and if you’re out for the day please be back by 9pm - we have this rule this so other guests aren’t disturbed as they’re settling down for the night.
No smoking on site
No amplified music on site
No drunken antics. Merry is fine. Antisocial is…n’t!
No drugs
No non-registered guests overnight. The cost for daytime visitors is £10 each, as a contribution towards site maintenance, including toilet cleaning
No generators
No shouting and loud noises near the alpacas
All bookings must be made in advance
If you’d like a tour, we’ll be happy to show you around and if you have any other questions please drop us a line anytime, thanks for supporting our little business.
Big hugs
Dave and Em