Jurassic Bus Glamping – An American School Bus in Dorset

You know I love a skool bus conversion, and this one is an absolute gem! Jurassic Bus Glamping is a brand-new setup perched above Chesil Beach in Dorset. The bus has been lovingly converted by the dream team at Shred & Butta, creating an interior that sleeps up to six. It features a fully equipped kitchen, shower and toilet—everything you could possibly need to hunker down for a few days and embrace a slower pace of life.

About

Through my passion for glamping, I’ve been fortunate enough to stay in a number of school bus conversions. Each one has its own unique charm, Jurassic Bus Glamping is another incredible project from Shred & Butta who specialise in transforming vehicles into creative, liveable spaces.

During the renovation, the roof was lifted by 14 inches, creating an open, airy feel the moment you step onboard. Furthermore owner Roger has designed a versatile living space that feels both luxurious and surprisingly spacious.

The bus itself has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable getaway, but what really sets this place apart is its location. The bus sits within Pebble Bank Caravan Park, perched above Chesil Beach with sweeping coastal views and breath-taking sunsets. It really is a winning combination.

The Interior

The bus retains some of its original features, including the driver’s seat, ensuring it still feels every bit like a school bus (and yes, you can still drive this beauty). However, at other times, it’s easy to forget where you are.

The kitchen diner includes a hob, fridge and air fryer, as well as seating for up to six guests. The dining area also converts into additional sleeping space by lowering the table to create an extra bed. Moving through the bus, you’ll find a cosy set of bunk beds with built-in lighting and storage on one side, and a fully equipped bathroom on the other. The bathroom includes a shower and a Cinderella incineration toilet (it incinerates waste, so you avoid any unsavoury odours—genius).

At the rear of the bus is a spacious double bedroom with a dressing table. The bed can also be hoisted up to create an additional lounge area, making the space incredibly versatile. I loved this room—I slept like a log and woke up to beautiful views across the bay. Can’t beat it.

Restaurant

The bus is situated within Pebble Bank Holiday park. The park itself is friendly and family orientated. It’s a well-maintained park with very good facilities. On the Saturday night we dined at their site restaurant, the Fat Badger. This has to be the best caravan park eatery I’ve ever visited. It surpassed our expectations and then some. The whole venue had an incredible vibe with live music outside, customers enjoying sundowners on the terrace and diners tucking in to an impressive and varied menu. We ordered a mix of burgers, fish n chips and a rice bowl. Despite not booking a table we were seated quickly, drinks served and food delivered promptly. Impressed on every level, and only a short stroll back to base.

Places to visit

We only had a short time to explore during our stay, but there’s so much to do in this part of Dorset. We spent a day in Weymouth, which included three hours of crab fishing (the kids could have happily done this all day), a trip to The Front Skatepark and a visit to Weymouth Beach.

On our second day, we headed over to Portland, parking up near Billy Winters Beach Café. This place is idyllic. More sheltered than to Chesil Beach, it’s perfect for families, with shallow water for the kids to paddle and explore while Billy Winters keeps everyone fuelled with beach snacks and refreshments. All boxes ticked.

Final thoughts

Jurassic Bus Glamping really does have everything covered. Guests get to experience a unique glamping holiday but with all the comfort and facilities you might expect on a holiday park. The accommodation is extremely well thought out and comfortable but what really seals the deal is the location. Whether you want to stay close to home and chill onsite, or sample all that Dorset has to offer – a stay here has you well and truly covered.

Jurassic Bus Glamping is available to book this summer – please visit their website for availability