Lodging Inside Retro Campers
Across The United Kingdom, You Will Find All Different Kinds Of Retro Caravan Accommodations Taking You Through The Decades
Take a trip down memory lane with retro caravan style. Vintage and retro is very much on trend, so step back in time with this unusual way of exploring the UK. Across the country, there are numerous sites where you can stay in very unusual, vintage caravans, or campers as we say. With a bit of careful planning, you can virtually begin caravanning the country while also experiencing a range of different vintage caravan types from 1950’s coziness, to retro Airstreams and circus wagons.
Host Unusual is a website specializing in holiday accommodation with a difference, including many very unusual campers like Lottie & Mabel, Dolly the Circus Wagon and Brooks Rooftop Rockets.
Nestled close to the coastal village of Pentewan on the Cornish Rivera, Lottie and Mabel’s valley site is a pretty, relaxing location. 1960’s style Lottie is a cheery, powder blue caravan bedecked with bunting. Inside, the décor is bright with stripes and flowers. Move forward ten years to the 1970’s with Mabel’s kitsch time capsule complete with pink and red throws, rose printed cushions and stylish red stripes.
Take a stroll up the 4 km woodland and riverside walk, following the route of a an old narrow gauge railway and enjoy a drink at the village pub on the old harbourside. Within easy driving distance are attractions like Lands End, the most westerly point in England making America the next landfall, the delightful Tresco Abbey gardens, and Plymouth – where the Mayflower Pilgrims made their last landfall and the stunning heritage coastline.
Cross the county to the Atlantic side of Cornwall, where Bessie the Vintage Caravan awaits in Bude. Step back into the 1950’s experience as it has been decked out just as it would have been in her heyday. Even the original fridge has been restored. Other vintage touches include a gold sunburst clock, old books to curl up for a relaxing evening, and wallpaper decorated with birds and foliage.
Not far away are incredible locations like Tintagel, believed to be the home of King Arthur, the moorlands of Exmoor and Bodmin with their prehistoric stone circles and standing stones and railways that chug through beautiful countryside, with steam pouring out of the funnels and whistles blowing.
Head further north to the maritime city of Bristol where a very unusual caravan experience can be enjoyed in the heart of the city. Brooks Rooftop Rockets are actually located on the rooftop of the Brooks Guesthouse and have their own Astroturf lawn. The gleaming silver exteriors evoke the nostalgia of vintage Airstreams, while the contemporary interiors offer all the mod cons including an eco-shower.
Stop off at the docks for a visit to Brunel’s incredible SS Great Britain, the world’s first ever luxury liner dating back to 1843 when she began crossing the Atlantic. Not far away is the world-famous Clifton Suspension Bridge also designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, while within easy driving distance where the city of Bath awaits. Here, you can try health-giving mineral waters known to the Romans and Jane Austen amongst others, and see the stunning Roman bath complex as well as the Georgian buildings mentioned in Jane Austen’s novels. Lacock Abbey is also well worth a visit, with its beautiful buildings and village familiar to many film goers as it has featured in countless films including Harry Potter.
The rolling, hilly landscape of the Cotswolds is incredibly picturesque, containing countless medieval villages and small towns like Bourton on the Water and Chipping Camden. Visit the gardens of Highgrove House, owned by the Prince of Wales or try Sudeley Castle, which was the home of Henry VIII’s last wife, Katherine Parr. Gloucester itself is a fantastic place to visit with its stunning cathedral and historic docks.
All of these attractions are easy to reach from the 1950’s Warwick Knight Caravan housed at The Glamping Orchard in the Severn Vale. Comfy sofas surround the woodburner, while ingenious storage provides plenty of room when unpacking. Climb the spiral stairs to the roof and enjoy views across the farmland. Back in the 1950’s Warwick Knight was hailed as the Rolls Royce of caravans, and it is definitely a vintage beauty.
Head over to mid Wales for a stay in Dolly the Circus Wagon. Built in 1947, Dolly can be found sitting above Cardigan Bay. This is definitely quirky and unusual, reflecting all the fun of the circus. Painted mirrors, theatrical drapes, colorful vintage seating and a retro kitchen make this an experience to remember. Enjoy strolls through the woodland, and relax on the sandy beaches of Penbryn and Llangranogg. Visit nature reserves, seaside towns and historic steam railways or take a longer trip northwards to the wild beauty of Snowdonia and the castles of Harlech and Caernafon.
Drive still further northwards to the Scottish borders where a selection of gypsy vardo’s await at Melrose. Little Ruby is a beautiful 1930’s gyspsy bowtop caravan complete with its own woodland garden, or there are the roulettes – hand crafted wooden French Romany caravans. Each roulotte has a unique style, utilizing vibrant colors and sumptuous furnishings. Some are oriental inspired, while others are art deco. There are plenty of outdoor pursuits available such as horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, walking trails, as well as sight-seeing country houses and pretty towns such as Melrose.
A long drive southwards leads to Happy Days Retro Vacations at Saxmundham in Suffolk, home to seven retro Airstream campers. All were made in the States, and shipped to the UK and are decorated in 1950’s/1960’s style with checkerboard floors and flamingo curtains. Toast marshmallows round the firepit at night, or try out the local pubs. Find out why there were so many American airbases in East Anglia during WW2 leading it to become known as Little America and the charms of pretty towns like Lavenham with such history in its buildings.
This is vintage caravanning with style, providing an unusual way to discover the UK.
Angela Youngman
An experienced travel writer based in the UK. Angela has worked for numerous magazines such as Group Travel World, Calibre and Houston Hotel Magazine. She is the author of several guidebooks and e-books.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Happy Days Retro Vacations , a glamping site near to the Suffolk coast. The small site has space for our own 7 trailers and 2 visiting Airstreams, camper vans or retro caravans (visiting tents are only permitted when booking one of our caravans).