Picture the scene: it’s a freezing cold day, you’re about to leave work (or school, or uni – you get the picture) and it’s absolutely chucking it down.
What would you do to be in a cosy log cabin, hidden from the cold and rain to avoid such dismal weather? Would you spend your life savings, sell all of your belongings, maybe even sell a kidney?
Well, now you don’t need to do anything as dramatic as that because the world’s cosiest taxi has been unveiled in London – and it resembles a country log cabin.
The taxi features velvet seats, sheepskin rugs, and a roaring fireplace – all of which are intended to help Brits get to work on a chilly February day.
From the inside, the one-of-a-kind taxi is almost unrecognisable as a London black cab and has blue velvet curtains hanging on the windows and screen divider. Sounds dreamy, right?
Well it gets even better because an imitation fireplace has been mounted to the passenger door as well, accompanied by a stack of logs to complete the cosy effect.
The mobile log cabin is currently being trialled so will be taking Londoners to work for free (erm, can we get one in Manchester please?), picking up a lucky few from all across the city.
Sian Lewis, marketing manager for UK boiler manufacturer Baxi, said:
This winter has seen some really chilly mornings, and even as we head towards March it doesn’t seem to be improving.
Our taxi will help people have a cosy experience on the way to work, making them feel as warm as they were wrapped up in their duvet that morning.
To make the taxi seem even more cabin-esque, decorative touches such as wood lanterns to softly light up the floor and walls, sumptuous cushions on the seats and floor, and luxurious wool throws on the seats have been added.
A stag’s head is also mounted on the centre head rest (not a real one thankfully) to heighten the ‘country cabin’ feel, and passengers in the taxi will even be given a pair of sheepskin slippers to give their feet the best possible start to the day.
Following its London debut, the taxi will be travelling up and down the country offering free lifts in cities across the UK – including Manchester (yesss), Birmingham and Nottingham.
Sian continued:
Getting a cab rather than walking or taking public transport can often feel like an unnecessary luxury. But because ours won’t cost a penny, it means commuters can ride in absolute comfort, totally guilt-free.
We’ve used all of our boiler and heating know-how to make a small space feel as warm and inviting as possible – with fantastic results.
Those who have trialled the Baxi Taxi said they were ‘shocked’ and impressed with the ride, saying it was unlike anything they’d been in before.
Linda Joubert, 33, said:
It was so nice. They had slippers! I’ve never taken my shoes off in a taxi before. The fire made me feel warm. It’s the cosiest cab I’ve ever stepped into. A brilliant ride.
Clive Woods, 55, added:
I was completely shocked. I wondered what was different when it pulled up and then I got inside.
The Baxi Taxi will be appearing in towns and cities across the UK from Monday, February 25.
To book a free ride, passengers need to Tweet @Baxi_Taxi with their postcode and preferred pick up time.
Bookings will be available between 10am and 2pm and will be offered on a first-come-first-serve basis.
A Broadcast Journalism Masters graduate who went on to achieve an NCTJ level 3 Diploma in Journalism, Lucy has done stints at ITV, BBC Inside Out and Key 103. While working as a journalist for UNILAD, Lucy has reported on breaking news stories while also writing features about mental health, cervical screening awareness, and Little Mix (who she is unapologetically obsessed with).