Martin Green Horsebox

The lovingly-converted horsebox is fittingly named for the colour of its verdant spot by the river and the flocks of Martins that come swooping over the water of the River Trent so often that the binoculars hanging by the door will spend a lot of time in your hands. You have to be quick to follow the darting Martins, but there’s an abundance of calmer bird life and increasing sightings of otters in the area too.

If the weather turns, you can light the wood-burner, make yourself tea on the gas hobs and stretch out on the sofa. You can put it in bed mode if you feel like really kicking back, but the main bed is above the cab – a king size under a low ceiling that’s fine for the tall, but perhaps not for the suddenly waking.

The horsebox is completely off-grid and that means it might take a few minutes to heat the water, but there’s electric lighting and USB charge points that run off solar panels giving plenty of power if used sensibly. Its decor is a testament to owners Robin and Jose’s flair for recycling and upcycling, being full of ingenious and beautiful finds and creations.

You’ll undoubtedly spend a lot of your time here watching the river – kingfishers, grebes, herons and oyster catchers are all regularly spotted – but with owners Robin and Jose also running a canoe hire business from the farm, you shouldn’t miss the chance to drift on the water yourself.

If you’re looking for drier adventures, then hit the canal towpath for a lovely ramble down to The Dragon pub for lunch, or get in touch with Greenwood Days for a course on natural woodworking. Whatever you get up to, there are traditional pubs aplenty (some with their own breweries attached!), restaurants and tea rooms to ensure you won’t go hungry at the end of the day.