Homes

One of the most enduring icons of Gypsy Traveller culture is the brightly painted and ornately decorated caravan or Vardo.
In reality, however, the wagon was actually only in use for around 100 years.

Throughout most of the 19th century and into the 20th century Gypsy Travellers travelled in light carts or on foot using bender tents to sleep in. These were made up of bent hazel branches which supported a tarpaulin cover.

Gypsy Travellers started using wagons with fitted interiors from around the mid 19th century, however it was not until the late nineteenth century that Gypsies were using them in large numbers. Even when Gypsies used wagons the bender tents continued to be used to sleep in.

The arrival of motorised vehicles from the early 20th century meant that Gypsy Travellers began to swap their horse drawn wagons for a caravan or trailer.

Today many Gypsy Travellers live in houses, on permanent sites and others are homeless and have no permanent place to stop.