STAYING oN THE YESBUS
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, save 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 YESBUS DOUBLE DECKER @ BIG SKY
We're excited for you to stay in our very unique double decker! We have some very cool places to stay at Big Sky but the YesBus holds a special place in our hearts. We'll give you a quick tour when you arrive but just so you know....
You have your very own hard standing to park on about 50 metres from the YesBus (we ask guests not to drive on the grass all the way to the bus, but it's just a short walk so nothing to worry about)
Inside you'll find:
Downstairs is a fully working kitchen with gas oven, grill and 4-ring hob, a kettle, mugs, crockery and cutlery, cooking pots pans and utensils and a small fridge with a lunchbox sized freezer. A large seating area with dining table, running water (cold) ok for drinking.
Bins inc. recycling, food waste and coffee ground collection (we'll tell you what we reuse those for when you get here!)
Coffee, tea, herbal teas and sugar. Hand soap and washing up liquid.
A few board games in case of a rainy afternoon :)
Electricity, lighting and USB plugs throughout the bus (power courtesy of solar panels). Not suitable for really high draw items like hair dryers, slow cookers etc!
Upstairs you'll find a double bed and two single chair beds, perfect for two extra bodies big or small! There are also hammock hooks all the way along the top deck and we'll teach you how to hang a few of them if you'd like a different sleeping/lounging option!
Help yourself to our Adventure Library (but please don’t take books away after your stay) - there's something for everyone on our shelves and we challenge you to find copies signed by the author. Plus, of course, the best view of the whole site is out of the front bay window, with a panorama of alpacas so you can watch our mums and their little ones all day long!
Outside you'll find:
The alpacas!
Your own little garden, because every bus should have a garden
Picnic table
Compost loo twenty metres from the YesBus door
A little football pitch :)
Just ask if you'd like to browse our other lawn games from Giant Connect 4 and Swingball to Chess and Hula Hoops!
No no’s:
No smoking on the bus
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 - 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 into the food waste and not down the sink, it’ll save us some unblocking time :)
The quirks!
The YesBus, like any double decker, has loads of windows! So many that they’re not all covered with curtains. The sun may therefore wake you up at the same time as it wakes up, so if that sounds troublesome to you we recommend bringing an eye mask to sleep in. Or….just enjoy the early morning dawn chorus :)
Because it’s a bus and has loads of windows daytime on a hot summers day can get toasty inside, especially upstairs. We can provide extra fans to keep the breeze going, and the sun roof is ready to be popped open!
Similar to the above point, but opposite! As the season draws on nights especially can be chilly on the YesBus so make sure you bring a nice cosy duvet (we provide blankets and hot water bottles and other bits and bobs to keep you toasty, just ask for these :)).
The kitchen tap only has cold water (for hot, boil the kettle!). Pull the lever towards you and sideways to the right to turn on.
Lastly, 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.
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. 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, we’re always watching the weather)
Slippers if your toes get chilly - there is a no shoes policy on the YesBus
Hot water bottle (great for early spring and late Autumn stays)!
Eco-friendly shampoo (we recommend Faith in Nature)
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.
Fresh drinking water can be found in your kitchen, or at either of the two taps beside the barn or camping loo facilities. If your accommodation water is running low you're welcome to fill up at a tap, or if it's a long walk to the tap just let us know and we'll bring you a new batch!
At the time of writing the nearest washing up sink with running water is a minutes walk away in the camping meadow. 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 YesBus has its own eco loo right behind the alpaca stable, a few metres walk from the bus. Inside the toilet 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 shower block right across the alpaca paddock from the YesBus. It’s a unique shower that takes a minute for Dave to set up - the water is heated by composting grass!
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 YesBus has it's own firepit and a separate standing BBQ. We have firewood packs available for purchase for £5 a basket, this includes kindling, a firelighter and some larger seasoned logs, which will usually offer a good two hours of fire, perhaps more). We also sell matches and charcoal.
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