Strict Copyright Warning
All texts/audio/still/motion picture images are strictly copyright to ValleyStream Media 1980-2008 or to the stated contributor/
copyright holder/s or "unKn". Any unauthorised copying of any images or material from this website for any use is strictly prohibited without written permission from the image owners - owners of unknown images ("unKn")  from this website please contact us for fair use or image withdrawal. All rights reserved.

Gypsy Caravan - Gypsy Caravans - Gypsy Wagon - Gypsy Wagons - Gypsy Waggon - Gypsy Waggons - Romany Caravans - Vardo - Vardos -
Reading - Ledge - Bowtop - Square Bow - Burton - Dunton - Howcroft - Orton Spooner - Tong - Bill Wright - Wheeler -
Hill - Jones - Watts - Thomas of Cherstey - Herbert Varney - Stubbs - Jarret
Hundreds of waggons here ! The Great History of Romani Waggons Articles & Features Pages on all sorts of Waggon Art & Designs Waggons For Sale Dealers. Craftsmen, & Supplys
ValleyStream Cultural Developments


What is a Vardo?
For the person new to the subject it's Romani chib for living waggon, or, in plain English, it's a Gypsy caravan.

 

I
n Britain we imagine the traditional Gypsy home to be a gaily decorated wooden caravan pulled along by a plodding horse.  But in reality caravans have only been used by Gypsies for 150 years.  Before that time, they walked on foot, used carts to convey their possessions, and slept in tents.  Waggons built to live in developed about 1810 in France and were soon used in England by showmen travelling between fairs and with circuses.  Gypsies only began living in them about 1850.  They called their home a 'vardo', and it became their most prized possession.


Monuments on Wheels

Sadly, today very few original vardos have survived the evolution of time, wear n tear, scrap yard mentality, the great British woodworm, and, the worst culprit of all - the weather - are mostly responsible for the vardos near-extinction. Let's also not forget the ones used in gardens as plant pots - pretty perhaps but they need maintaining other wise they end up like this one.


However it's not all doom and gloom - fortunately, there's a steady revival taking place in the UK, with an upturn in interest once more in Gypsy caravans. 

The few remaining original "lucky" waggons are safely in private collections or museums, either fully restored or under restoration.

Also, a new generation of wagon builders and painters are up and coming, attempting to replicate the craftsmanship and construction of past masters, often working to original plans and designs.

Welcome to the UK's No. 1 Gypsy Caravan Website
  VStream ©
Gypsy caravans of the UK
Latcho divvus - A website devoted to Vardo - Gypsy caravan owners - over 300 vardos in the gallery

A regal display - Howcroft Showman        UnKn ©

Restored bowtop on Watts unders          Kieranna ©


Relic of the Golden Days                            UnKn ©

Rolling Stone rolls again
Naturally at home
-
Legend rocker and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood wakes up to a traditional bowtop waggon
courtesy of beautiful wife Jo Wood - can Mick handle it?
- Read the full story!
Read about Bill Wright Willam "Bill" Wright of Leeds
Read about this great northern Vardo Rai
Famous for his bowtops, pot waggons n carts, Bill Wright also built lots of ledge waggons - but only ever made a few Reading types, which are extremely rare today.

Brilliant DVD Film Release !
Eldra Bafta Cymru Award-winning Romani Film
True Life Story of Welsh Gypsies
in the 1930s
A drama set in the wild mountains of Snowdonia, North Wales and based on the
childhood of Eldra Roberts, a descendant of the famous noble Gypsy chief Abram
Wood and the Woods/Roberts tribe.   
£11.99-
Buy a Copy Now!                   

Video of the Month - "HorsePower"
The working horse has been shouldering the burden of man's survival since before records began, from carrying religious Crusaders into battle, to ploughing the soil beneath man's feet. Sadly, the majestic power of these magnificent creatures was overtaken in man's quest for more modern methods, after the First World War, the decline of the working horse began.
Today a handful of people still live and work with these most loyal and hardworking animals. A nostalgic film, a brief history of the working horse during the twentieth century.


On show at Stow
May was a mudbath so did October fair better?
Well, this richly carved bowtop, painted by Yorkie Greenwood and son, was a jewel among the eleven fine waggons at Stow this year.

Appleby Fair 2008
Is this the best bowtop in the UK? Its owner thinks so! This stunning waggon, built by Jowett, was the highlight of this year's Fair.  Of course, the horses are always fine and the girls as pretty as ever.

UK Vardo Project would like to thank all for their support and wish everyone
Konyo Christun ta Bokti Nevo Bers - A Peaceful Christmas and New Year!
Help Save British Romani Heritage