For those who aren’t aware, British Pathe has released all its media archives online and much of the footage, capturing our lives over the last 100 years is now available on YouTube. The footage covers pretty much every event, and many you won’t have heard of from the last century, and that also covers the caravan holiday and the changes it has seen.
Love them or hate them, touring caravans have been a popular holiday choice for almost as long as we’ve had cars on the road. In fact the National Caravan Association is celebrating its own 75th anniversary this year. While many today choose the plush and convenient nature of holiday homes, caravanning is still hugely popular!
This first video shows early Reculver caravans at Herne Bay in the early 1950s. The Kent area is still popular with caravanners today with static caravans and tourers alike accepted at many sites.
Around a similar time in 1954, the Caravan Club were featured at Drayton Manor Park, now a theme park and zoo. The video shows how fellow caravan enthusiasts would come together, share tips and practice caravanning abroad. Even today the Caravan Club hold yearly events, though we’re not sure if they insist you drive on the right.
A decade on and caravanning was still as popular, as this caravan convention from 1966 in Longleat shows. The designs have changed quite a lot, and the cars are different but the appeal of the simple life remains the same.
It’s fascinating to look back on the history of caravan culture, especially as it doesn’t too much differ from our experiences, and the reasoning behind the love of caravanning today. Of course now with modern cars, modern vans and mod cons there’s no end to the luxury you can tow behind a car, but even back in the 1950s caravanning could be made to look pretty glamorous!
By: Kath Cross
