THE HISTORY OF THE TOURING CARAVAN

Take a look at our most recent blog, ‘The History of the Touring Caravan’. It makes an interesting read.

Did you know, the term ‘caravan’ derives from the Moroccan name ‘karwan’, meaning a group of desert travellers?

Back in the 1800s, caravans were used by farmers for shelter, circus folk and fairground showmen for a good rest after a day of performing. Travelling communities of Romanies would also use horse-drawn caravans, which you may still see dotted around the countryside today. These are known as Vardo’s and can be seen every year at Appleby Horse Fair – the biggest traditional Gypsy Fair in Europe.

The caravan has developed from being a means to transport goods in the 15th century, to form a thriving and developing sector of the travel and leisure industry today. The first luxury caravan was built by ‘Bristol Wagon & Carriage Works’ for author Dr William Gordon Stables in 1885 and was made of mahogany and maple wood. It measured 5.5 metres in length and on its first trip from Berkshire up to Inverness, managed to transport a bookcase, a china cabinet and a piano inside.

The History of the Touring Caravan from 1915

The first model to be towed by a car was designed and built by ‘Eccles Motor Transport’ in 1919. It was 5ft 7inches wide, 9 feet long, two-berth, had a fitted wardrobe and a stove. The company also invented the awning the following year, to create more space in and around the caravan. The popularity rapidly began to grow. Tourers didn’t begin to resemble what we know of them today until the late 1970s. As we moved into the 70s and 80s more developments were being made and better materials were being used. We saw the addition of bathrooms, toilets, kitchens and running hot water – the leisure industry had changed completely. In the mid 80’s, more campsites began to feature hardstanding pitches and electric hook up points. From then on, medium-priced and luxury tourers had mains fitted as standard.

Our Exclusive Swift Caravan Range

The caravan as we know it today, is an important part of the travel industry in the UK. Offering freedom and relaxation, it is extremely popular with couples and families alike. Caravans have become more than a portable home these days, they are luxurious holiday homes.

Today, there are estimated to be more than 870,000 touring caravans currently in use in Britain (National Caravan Council). Touring caravans are one of the most popular choices for family holidays in the UK.

Are you thinking of upgrading your trusty old caravan for a new model, or considering buying your first ever new touring caravan? We are always looking to add more quality, used caravans to our showroom and the process couldn’t be simpler. We pay top prices for pre-owned vans – simply submit the details of your vehicle and we will be in touch.

Are you thinking of upgrading your trusty old caravan for a new model, or considering buying your first ever new touring caravan? We are always looking to add more quality, used caravans to our showroom and the process couldn’t be simpler. We pay top prices for pre-owned vans – simply submit the details of your vehicle and we will be in touch.

Our range of new caravans is exclusively made up of Swift caravans, as we firmly believe they’re the best quality caravans on the market. For the more adventurous caravanner, we now stock the Swift Basecamp – the sporty, exciting and stylish range. Or you may prefer our more traditional Swift 2022 Range or the Swift Mayflower Special Edition – we have the perfect solution for you!

Your Trusted Caravan Centre in Devon

Here at Tamar Caravan Centre, we’re proud to have the largest indoor touring caravan showroom in the South West. We have a great selection of new caravans for sale in Devon, plus a well-stocked caravan accessory shop, a selection of used caravans for sale and an AWS approved caravan service centre. We can offer you caravan finance to help make buying a new caravan or used caravan as easy as possible.

If you’re planning on taking a staycation this year but need to upgrade your current van or purchase your first vehicle, our friendly sales team can help! You can reach us on 01752 341133 to schedule an appointment at our showroom.

You can stay in touch with us via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get our latest news and updates. Take a look through our caravan tours, maintenance tutorials and how-to guides on YouTube, or via our Help & Advice page.