Skoolie Stays, Eastbourne

We've all seen them in films but how many of us have actually been aboard a traditional big yellow school bus from the good old United States?! Well, here's your chance. Sitting proud, looking every inch the American dream and all ready for you to have a glamping adventure with a difference, come aboard the Skoolie Stays yellow school bus. With wonderful sea views and nestled into a gorgeous private spot overlooking the rolling South Downs, you are surrounded by beautiful Sussex countryside but still within easy access of Eastbourne, Brighton and all the sights along the dramatic coastline. The bus provides a huge space inside and is masterfully crafted and beautifully designed, with a king-sized bed as well as two bunks, a kitchen, American diner-style eating area, a bathroom, lounge with wood burning stove and - best of all - (or not, depending on the levels of your inner child) a very cool drivers cab area with all the original knobs and levers, so you can relive Ferris Bueller's Day Off to your hearts content. This is a one-off place to stay in a fantastic location.

Stay On The Road, East Sussex

A perfect adults retreat this one, where you get to stay in a beautiful converted bus, conveniently parked up in a very pretty orchard next to a vineyard in Sussex, so life literally doesn't get much better than this if you're a bus-obsessed wine buff. Surrounded by stunning countryside, it is a very private and romantic bolthole, with everything you could possibly need aboard your bus, including a bed, large TV, seating area, excellent kitchen, a bathroom and beautifully chosen soft furnishings. Outside is your very own canopy covered seating area, merrily bedecked with festival lights for evening star gazing sessions. Downsview Vineyard offer great wine tastings and tours, meaning the 'activity' section of your break is sorted if you don't want to go too far afield. If you do want to explore, then the magical woodland of Ashdown Forest, the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh, is a short drive away, as are the attractive market towns of Tunbridge Wells and Lewes.

picture credit: stay on the road

Fosfelle Glamping, Devon

Fosfelle Country House - featured in many a programme including Escape to the Country - is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the border of North Devon and Cornwall. It's a gorgeous spot here. There are cottages to hire and touring pitches too, but we're here to talk about the two rather marvellous glamping buses which are available for a different sort of camping experience altogether. First of all the aptly named Bertram's Hotel - Agatha Christie themed and looking the part - a gorgeous, bright red bus, doubled decked and fully kitted out with beds for four, large seating areas, a shower and an outdoor area to relax and / or get a visit by one of the resident Alpacas. For musical lovers, the snazzy looking Joseph Multi Colour Dream Coach is jazzily decorated, sleeping just two (on one deck rather than the double) in a rather romantic cosy setting, with outdoor seating and masses of charm. The local area is rural and wild and home to a vibrant array of wildlife; it also has one of the lowest levels of light pollution in the country, making it excellent for stargazing on a clear night. Fosfelle is just ten minutes walk from the local village and around the corner from Hartland Quay, which is the perfect place to watch the the sun go down over the ocean.

Daisy Decker, Hollym Holiday Park, Yorkshire

Looking like she has landed straight in from the flower power era of the 60's, lovely Daisy Decker is a bright green and very happy 1999 double decker bus, set up and ready to make your camping trip one to remember. Completely renovated with a super stylish interior, Daisy sits in her own fenced off private area, with a south facing garden overlooking panoramic rolling fields and stunning sea views from the upper deck. The bedrooms (comfortably sleeping 5) are also up on the top deck with fab views. When you're not gawping out across the panorama, head downstairs to the drivers cab, the well equipped galley kitchen and living area with TV and DVD. There's a great kids play area and picnic bench outdoors and lots of space to run about and enjoy your surroundings. Locally, there is plenty to explore around Hollym Holiday Park, it is a brilliant place for a beach holiday, with Withernsea down the road and Spurn Point about 20 minutes away.

picture credit: Hollym HolidayPark

The Red Bus, Forest of Dean

If buses could talk you get the feeling this one would have a few stories to tell. This gorgeous red double decker has done its time and been put out to pasture in an idyllic spot near Newnham-on-Severn in Gloucestershire on the edge of the Forest of Dean. The owners here have carefully and lovingly restored the bus using reclaimed and recycled materials, and it still retains many of the original fixtures and fittings such as the drivers seat and steering wheel. Being right on the edge of the forest means that you can walk across the fields and be straight into Hangman's Wood where you can enjoy many miles of tranquil and undisturbed hiking and nature spotting. The Red Bus itself sleeps 8 in two double rooms and 4 cabin beds and if you're in a bigger party then there is also room for a tent outside. At night, turn on the bus headlights, light the candles and switch on the fairy lights for a magical evening around the open fire; there is a decking area with seating to chill out, and lots of room for children to play. If you've never been camping or glamping before then this is a really fabulous choice and a great spot to relax and take in the spectacular beauty of the surrounding countryside.

picture credit: the red bus

Betty the Boutique Bus, Cornwall

If you are looking to book a Cornish holiday with a difference this year then check out this gorgeous spot near some of the best beaches in the UK. In the beautiful north Cornwall countryside sits Betty the Boutique bus; a 1954 Bedford R and an absolutely beautiful and certified classic. At 10 metres long and settled into an orchard by a pretty paddock, Betty has been lovingly restored into boutique accommodation of epic proportions; spacious, comfortable, kitted out thoughtfully, with surrounding views of the lovely Cornish countryside. The interior is beautifully done, with unfussy furnishings, masses of room, a gorgeous bathroom and extremely comfortable seating areas. It is the perfect place to sit and relax and enjoy your surroundings, or - if you are feeling active - head to one of the nearby surfing beaches - Polzeath or Watergate Bay - or hire a bike from nearby Wadebridge and cycle the family friendly Camel trail over to the pretty fishing village of Padstow. This is one bus you do NOT want to miss!

picture credit: Lower Tregleath

The Majestic Bus, Hay on Wye

Just five miles away from the pretty Welsh border town of Hay-on-Wye, on the edge of the Radnorshire Hills is a gorgeous unspoilt site surrounded by green meadows and wild hills. This is the home of The Majestic Bus and what a bus it is. With stunning wooden floors, handmade units, oak worktops and beautiful furniture, this bus looks more like the interior of a swish country house hotel than an old Bedford panorama. Outside the magic continues, with a double level decking area, a fire pit and seating area and, a few metres away is your own gorgeous bathhouse, with a romantic roll top bath, a (second - there is one on the bus) woodburner for nippy nights, and a proper toilet. The crowning glory in this gorgeous abode is a wood fired Swedish hot tub where you can stargaze at night while surrounded by the countryside and a few active members of the local wildlife. Nearby, you can explore the ancient Offas Dyke footpath and all the trails around the Clywdian Range, go canoeing on the River Wye and hike or bike the paths of the Brecon Beacons which is only a half hour drive away. An absolute find and a beautiful place to stay.

photo credit: tinyhousetown.net

Pigeon Door Glamping, Shropshire

In rural Shropshire on a lovely, family-run smallholding, say hello to Betsy Blue, Billie Blue and Beetie Bus; three fabulous double decker buses, each with their own personality and masses of space for kids, dogs and all family member to have a brilliant glamping holiday and lots of fun! The three buses all have different features but what they all have is very comfortable and very cosy sleeping and seating areas, well equipped kitchens, private bathrooms, gorgeous gardens and - whoop! - your own hot tub! Life doesn't get any better; you can truly relax and switch off here, with everything you could possibly need for a brilliant chilled out break. A short walk away is an excellent local pub serving delicious home cooked food, there is a well stocked village shop nearby, and a few hundred yards down the road is Berriewood Stables, who offer equestrian facilities and trekking; if you would like to bring your own horse then Pigeon Door have a fenced paddock so your horse can join in and have a holiday too!

picture credit: pigeon door