From camel trains to electric campervans: a short history of the caravan

The word “caravan” comes from the Persian kārwān, a group of travellers crossing the desert together. Camel trains carried silk and spices; today we carry kettles and camping chairs.

Three milestones

• 1885: “The Wanderer”, built in Bristol for the Scottish author and doctor Gordon Stables, is often called the first leisure caravan. It was pulled by a horse.
• 1907: the Caravan Club is founded in Britain, and holiday caravanning becomes a hobby with a club badge.
• 1950s: the Volkswagen Type 2 van arrives and camper conversions follow, turning an ordinary van into a bedroom, kitchen and ticket to anywhere.

Today’s motorhomes carry solar panels and some campervans are fully electric. The idea is the same as it was in the desert: travel together, and bring your home with you.