
03 Nov 2015 @ 20:57:28 pm
My big fat gypsy antique! 128-year-old mahogany and maple caravan custom-made for former naval officer is world's oldest mobile home
By Daily Mail Reporter
17:07 30 Oct 2013, updated 23:00 30 Oct 2013
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•World's oldest caravan makes final journey after 128 years on the road
•Scottish doctor who commissioned The Wanderer wanted to live as a 'gentleman gypsy'
•The 30ft 'land yacht' has bookcase, china cabinet and a piano
•Valet paid to cycle ahead and warn people it was coming
Custom-made 128 years ago, this 30ft caravan is more like a palace on wheels.
Commissioned by Scotsman Dr William Stables, The Wanderer was the first caravan to be made purely for the pleasure of travel.
Made from mahogany and maple wood, and painted black and gold, former naval officer Dr Stables wanted the life of a gypsy while traveling in style - spawning the nickname 'Gentleman Gypsy'.
Dr William Gordan Stables, right, in 1885 just after he designed and built the Wanderer
Dr William Gordan Stables, right, in 1885 just after he designed and built the Wanderer
The life of a gentleman gypsy
The life of a gentleman gypsy: Dr Stables had The Wanderer made of mahogany and maple wood and travelled in the height of style
The world's oldest caravan, The Wanderer, will now come to rest in Worcestershire
The worlds oldest caravan, The Wanderer, will now come to rest in Worcestershire, 128 years after its first journey
So well did he emulate the travellers who inspired him, he was once pelted with stones by unwelcoming villagers.
Although it can be pulled by car, in Dr Stables' day the work was done by two horses, Captain Corn-flower and Polly Pea-blossom.
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An extraordinary sight in its day, he had to employ a valet to cycle ahead and clear the roads, warning road users it was coming.
Inspired by Romany Gypsies: Dr Stables
After retiring due to ill health, Dr Stables, inspired by Romany Gypsies, wanted to travel the country in comfort
The Edwardian van features ornate furniture and a paraffin oven
The Edwardian van features ornate furniture and a paraffin oven
Now, thanks to a donation by Dr Stables’ descendents, the Edwardian single-berth van, which went on its first tour in 1885 and was last used in 1960, has finally come to rest at the Cotswolds Caravan Club.
Although it can be pulled by car, in Dr Stables' day the work was done by two horses, Captain Corn-flower and Polly Pea-blossom.
The mobile home was an extraordinary sight at the time, so much so that a valet was employed to cycle ahead, clearing the way and warning other road users.
A drawing of The Wanderer on its inaugural tour of the UK in 1885
A drawing of The Wanderer on its inaugural tour of the UK in 1885
The Wanderer is seen in the left of the drawing as it makes its way through the Cairngorms
The Wanderer is seen in the left of the drawing as it makes its way through the Cairngorms
At Buckingham palace for the Caravan Club's centenary in 2007
At Buckingham palace for the Caravan Club's centenary in 2007, of which Prince Philip is the patron
The Wanderer in 1982 at the Royal Windsor horse show
The Wanderer in 1982 at the Royal Windsor horse show
The Edwardian washroom inside The Wanderer
The Edwardian washroom inside The Wanderer
The caravan was fully restored over a ten year period
The caravan was fully restored over a ten year period
The lovingly restored Wanderer is now on permanent display at the Costwolds Caravan Club
The lovingly restored Wanderer is now on permanent display at the Costwolds Caravan Club
Dr Stables wanted to ensure he and his companions traveled in comfort
Dr Stables wanted to ensure he and his companions traveled in comfort
The Wanderer caravan in the early 1900s
The Wanderer caravan in the early 1900s
The Wanderer has clocked up tens of thousands of miles and was inspired by traditional horse-drawn Romany wagons. It boasts a bookcase, china cabinet and even musical instruments to entertain campers when it rained outside.
But the world's first caravan has been gathering dust for years and was only wheeled out on special occasions.
Beverley Larion, of the Caravan Club, said: 'We would prefer to keep it at the Caravan Club rather than in a storage facility so our members can enjoy it. 'It’s the most beautiful display of craftsmanship internally and the upholstery is all original.'
The Wanderer was restored over ten years leading up to The Caravan Club’s centenary in 2007 when it took centre stage at Buckingham Palace as it was pulled through the gates of Buckingham Palace by horses.