Old caravans

The first caravan the Wanderer (click any image to enlarge)

Caravans are what the English call what we call campers. They call them caravans because the first camper ... er ... caravan that is, was inspired by the seemingly romantic lifestyle of gypsy caravans. in the 1860s Dr. Gordon Stables, retired from the Navy, commissioned a gypsy-style caravan to be built. He named it the Wanderer and travelled in comfort, even bringing a servant along who slept in a tent.

Soon other wealthy, and generally eccentric people took up caravanning. From the website of the Period and Classic Caravan Club:

Most of the rich early caravanners took their servants with them. Having the same experience as the gypsies, but with the comforts of home. Beds, stoves, plus storage and writing cabinets were found in these new, horse drawn caravans. This new style of holidaying was seen by some as very odd and beneath a gentleman. These early caravan users were often shunned and it took many years before they would become accepted.

Of course eventually cars replaced the horses, and mass production brought the caravans within the price range of the middle class.

These pictures, and the ones after the jump, are from the club's website linked above. There are more pictures there, as well as more historical information.