Stroud's new art bus hits the road

Stroud District Council has launched the next phase of its sustainable travel and tourism campaign with the unveiling of a newly painted bus featuring vibrant artwork by local illustrator Isabella Fay. 

The striking design, inspired by Stroud Farmers’ Market, is now displayed on buses travelling through Cheltenham, Gloucester and Stroud. The reveal took place at the Stroud bus depot, where Isabella saw her artwork brought to life at full scale for the first time. 

This new design follows the council’s 2025 Great Western Railway poster campaign, which showcased Isabella’s bespoke illustrations at major stations including London Paddington, Swindon, Gloucester and Cheltenham. Together, the campaigns highlight what makes the district special while encouraging residents and visitors to choose more sustainable ways to travel. 

Amy Helliwell, Stroud District Council’s Tourism Officer, said: 
“This campaign celebrates everything that makes Stroud special, from our vibrant markets to our strong creative community. By promoting sustainable ways to visit, we are supporting our local economy, reducing our environmental impact and championing local talent like Isabella.” 

Artist Isabella Fay said: 
“Having grown up in the Stroud district myself, and now living and working here as a freelance illustrator, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to work with SDC on this incredible project. The whole process - from initial design planning to the final large‑scale executions - has been really enjoyable. Seeing the posters at train stations, and now on buses too, has been surreal. 

"The council’s aim to promote sustainable travel is really important, and it’s been amazing to see the artwork encouraging visitors to come by train and bus. I’m proud to be from such a beautiful part of the country, and having the chance to represent it through my artwork has been wonderful.” 

The newly painted buses provide a highly visible way to promote the district to thousands of passengers and road users each day, reinforcing the council’s commitment to greener travel and sustainable tourism. 

Posters featuring Isabella Fay’s Stroud designs are available to buy directly from the artist at Isabella Fay Arts. 

If you’re heading to Stroud, discover travel options, local highlights and inspiration for your visit at visitstroud.uk. 

Have you seen our art bus out and about? Snap a photo (safely!) and share it with us on social media - we’d love to know where it’s been spotted.