Fred Hill Barrel Top

This was the last horse-drawn wagon built by Hills for Lias Winter in 1923. A roof panel is signed by Hill and the wheelwright. An eye-catching vardo. John has collected wagons for over 30 years, having put together one of the finest collections in the world.

This stunning wagon and many more are featured in JOHN BARKER'S new book publication ROUNDABOUT RELICS.

Picture courtesy of John Barker.

This stunning wagon and many more are featured in JOHN BARKER'S new book publication ROUNDABOUT RELICS.

Picture courtesy of John Barker.

Buckinghamshire

John has collected wagons for over 30 years, having put together one of the finest collections in the world.

This stunning wagon and many more are featured in JOHN BARKER'S new book publication ROUNDABOUT RELICS.

Picture courtesy of John Barker.

Buckinghamshire

Bill Wright Barrel Top

which was acquired in the 1970s from John Pockett and dates to 1908. It features in Dennis Harvey's book, "English Gypsy caravans".

John has collected wagons for over 30 years, having put together one of the finest collections in the world.

This stunning wagon and many more are featured in JOHN BARKER'S new book publication ROUNDABOUT RELICS.

Picture courtesy of John Barker.

Dunton Ledge waggon

built for William Todd. It was blown over in a field and smashed to pieces in 1940. John Barker bought the vardo, and it then had to be painstakingly completely rebuilt to what it is today. A lovely example.

This stunning wagon and many more are featured in JOHN BARKER'S new book publication ROUNDABOUT RELICS.

Picture courtesy of John Barker.

Buckinghamshire

A miniature Dunton Ledge

beautifully detailed. We had to display this little fellow as it's such a fine model. This one is only 16" wide, 27" long and 22" high, and entry is by taking off the roof. Complete with steps and shafts, just needs the horse.

It took Richard 750 dedicated hours to make from scratch in 2005-06.  He says another waggon is already in the pipeline. Nice one!

Pictures courtesy of Richard.

Bill Wright Ledge waggon

with mollicroft roof and s ladder. Classic example finished in maroon, cream and goldleaf, heavily carved. Very special seahorse design in white and goldleaf on the doors.

Pictures: special thanks to Tom and Elizabeth.

Bowtop

window n door type - was originally built as an Openlot 10/15 years ago. Once owned by a travelling family from Stowe, the waggon's recently seen Herefordshire and Shropshire. New home in Wales.

Beautifully decorated in green and cream, melting into the countryside.

Special thanks to John Pockett.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Bowtop

window n door type - originally an Openlot. On artillery wheels, the unders are 40/ 50 years old. Once belonged to a Romani family who told fortunes from the little wagon - their advertising boards were found inside. Now under decoration ready for a new location in Scotland.

Special thanks to John Pockett.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Bowtop

originally an Openlot, built 10/15 years ago. Now decorated in maroon and cream paintwork, nicely balanced and not over-worked. Horse motif on sides and front painted by Maggie. Artillery wheels and curved steps. Recently seen Lancashire and Shropshire.

Picture courtesy of Rory Coxhill.
Suffolk Gypsy Caravan Holidays

Half-sized Bowtop

from southern England. Now in Shropshire but recently kept in a garden, and before that owned by a Gypsy family. Brightly coloured in red and yellow, with a blue horseshoe and "good luck" on the kettlebox.

Special thanks to John Pockett.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Tong Ledge waggon
built by Thomas Tong of Bolton in 1898

spent much time in Suffolk and Norfolk. Lived in by a labourer on a farm, then sited in a garden. Acquired 12 years ago in Devon and moved to Shropshire. Striking deep red body paintwork with yellow under the porch, and gold leaf carvings decorating the front and sides - all original except for possibly the door.

Special thanks to John Pockett.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Showman/Burton - built by Brayshaws in Leeds

in the early 1920s, originally on wooden wheels. Lovely carved panels on front in cream and maroon. Settled in Shropshire for the last 15 years, but once sited at a guest house and was used by the daughter when all rooms were taken. Before that, travelled in by a hippy lady around Radnorshire.

Special thanks to John Pockett.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Historical Openlot Bowtop built and painted
by Jim Berry

John displays the vardo originally built and painted in Doncaster by the master vardo painter of his day Jim Berry in the late 60s/early 70s. Owned by the Nicholson Gypsy family in the early 70s in north east England, then passed through several hands until joining the William Lee Collection: his son's name "Ryan Lee, General Dealer" is painted on the cratch (hay-carrier). Horses' heads on the kettlebox, and luxurious interior.

Special thanks to John Pockett.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Bowtop

built in the Yorkshire style. Original underworks with more recent top. Main body stripped down to the timbers and awaiting body colour and decoration, which once completed should make for a really nice looking wagon. Acquired from Reading in 2006.

Special thanks to John Pockett.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Openlot - Bowtop

originally built in the 1960s, completely restored from the springs upwards. Sean spent over 4 years handcrafting and rebuilding the wagon. Finished in maroon and cream, with smart interior, complete with stove.

Pictures courtesy of Sean.

Burton waggon built by Herbert Varney

Photographed in the 1980s at a re-knowned waggon restorers/builders yard in Hampshire Later on painted green with red unders.

Picture courtesy of Don.

Row of Bowtops

on the hillside at Appleby.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Openlot - Bowtop

with harnesses adorning the shafts and luxurious interior.  This waggon invited you to sit in it to have your photograph taken.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Openlot - Bowtop

rolling the grass, yoked up with its pony.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Little and Large

Small Bowtop, alongside a full Bowtop grey primed and awaiting decoration. Both on wooden wheels.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Bowtop

Primed Bowtop built on a trolley base and on artillery wheels.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Unusual wooden panelled waggon

on artillery wheels - different. Could make an interesting painter's project.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Openlot - Bowtop

green, traditional style with canvas capes and wooden wheels.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Bowtop

Traditional green and cream Bowtop and small dray side by side and beautifully decorated.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Half size Bowtop

nicely decorated in green, yellows and golds on wooden wheels.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Bowtop

window and door type, decorated in shades of greens, curved steps. Top wagon!

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Bowtop

Green Bowtop door and window type on artillery wheels.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Openlot - Bowtop

trad green and cream on spoked wheels - capes drawn and lovely rounded steps.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Bowtop

Red and cream Bowtop awaiting decoration, on wooden wheels. Should look great when completed.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Openlot - Bowtop

with capes tied back, mustard with cream unders, very nicely decorated. With S ladder.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Small Bowtop

heavily decorated in shades of green, with Shaw Bros on the side panels and cream underworks. Great example. Being steered onto the trailer ready for its journey home.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Bowtop

on artillery wheels. Red top, cream underworks, door and window style, with an unusual Elizabethan paintwork effect on your eyes.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Openlot - Bowtop

Red Openlot Bowtop loaded and waiting for its journey back home. This family vardo is often taken to Stow and Appleby. On wooden wheels and decorated with pink rose motifs on the sides.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Bowtop

Green-based Bowtop waiting for decor, strapped down on to low loader for its safe return.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Half Bowtop

grey primed door and window type on artillery wheels. Nice blank canvas ready for some rich colours and curlicues.

Picture courtesy of Gill VS.

Bowtop - original Openlot

around 70 yrs old, built on top of an original Bradford dray. Been in the family for 3 generations, passed down from grandfather to father to son. Lovely example.

Picture courtesy of Dave Moore.

Gordon Boswell Romany Museum.

Various waggons at Gordon Boswell's Romany Museum at Spalding, Lincolnshire. Gordon has a wide selection of Romany waggons and traditional Gypsy artefacts, including one of the oldest Gypsy vans in existence today.

More on Gordon's Museum :-

http://www.boswell-romany-museum.com/museumViews.htm

Pictures courtesy of  Gordon Boswell.

The Dartford Dolly 

This is a lovely full size living Bowtop wagon. Underworks consist of a 5 foot bow lock, fiddleheads throughout and iron-rimmed wheels. Matching swan steps included.

Original carriage lamps. This wagon has been lavishly decorated inside and out, roughly 200 books of 24 carat goldleaf having been used.

Inside are brilliant cut glass mirrors with baskets of flowers. All the upholstery are matching in creams and golds and have been professionaly made, with a new fitted Wilton carpet on the floor.

Stunning paint work by professional vardo painter Geoff Smith, taking two years to complete.

Pictures courtesy of  Tom.

Kite Waggon in the "Reading" style

Circa 1890s/early 1900s. Fully restored in 1989 to a high standard with swan neck steps and carved wheel-design porch brackets. This wagon is unusually decorated in yellow and black, plus crimson shutters/doors with blue carvings. A fairytale example.

Pictures: special thanks to Malcolm.