New Exhibition Reveals Caravans’ Unsung Role in Britain’s Wartime Story
While Spitfires soared and sirens wailed, a quieter kind of wartime heroism rolled into action—on wheels. A new exhibition at the National Motor Museum, Pitch Up and Carry On, tells the largely forgotten story of how caravans and their owners contributed to the Second World War effort across Britain.
Opening on 13 September 2025 and running until early summer 2026, the exhibition is a collaboration between the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu and the Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection. It offers a unique look at how caravans, typically associated with leisure and holidays, became vital tools of resilience during the war.
As someone who has taken a vintage 1967 Bailey Maestro caravan from Kent to Normandy to trace my own family’s wartime history, this exhibition feels deeply personal. The journey caravans have made—from peace-time pleasure to wartime purpose—is not just remarkable, it’s rarely told.
Wartime on Wheels
Drawing on a rich collection of archival material—Club magazines, manufacturers’ records, photographs, advertisements and personal stories—the exhibition explores how caravans were repurposed for both military and civilian use. From RAF mobile offices and army field HQs to Women’s Land Army accommodation and even air raid shelters, caravans quietly became part of Britain’s national defence.
The exhibition, held in the Museum’s In Focus gallery, reveals how caravans became a symbol of adaptability during a time of upheaval. It also explores how the Caravan Club (as it was then known) played a key role in supporting members and promoting caravanning as a safe refuge from bombed cities and fuel shortages.
A Community on the Move
When war was declared, The Caravan Club quickly lowered its membership fees, issued practical wartime guidance, and served as a vital support network for caravanners across the country. The Club even advised government departments on how caravans could be deployed for wartime purposes.
Caravan manufacturers responded too—pausing civilian production to build trailer bodies and support units for the War Office. Their products were used as first aid stations, mobile kitchens, field offices, and military sleeping quarters. The British Army soon recognised their value, using caravans wherever mobility and shelter were needed.
A powerful video feature within the exhibition includes original wartime footage and a reading from the memoirs of a girl who spent her childhood living in a caravan during the Blitz. It brings the story home—literally.
A Forgotten Chapter of British History
Sara Riccabone, Senior Curator of the Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection, said:
“This exhibition, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, sheds light on an overlooked but fascinating chapter of both Club and wartime history. We’re proud to work with the National Motor Museum to share these stories and show how caravans—and the community around them—became a resourceful force in a time of need.”
Nick Lomas, Director General of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, added:
“Our archive collection is the most significant of its kind in the UK and tells the story of caravanning from its earliest days. By safeguarding this material, we can ensure future generations understand how this much-loved pastime evolved—and how it played a surprising role in our wartime heritage.”
Plan Your Visit
Exhibition: Pitch Up and Carry On
Where: National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Hampshire
When: 13 September 2025 – early Summer 2026
More info & tickets: http://www.nationalmotormuseum.org.uk
Visitors to Beaulieu can also enjoy the historic Palace House, 13th-century Beaulieu Abbey, the gardens, and family-friendly attractions like Little Beaulieu—making it a full day out for all ages.
About the Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection
Hosted at the National Motor Museum since 2006, the Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection is the UK’s leading archive on leisure caravanning. It documents the development of caravanning from the 1880s to the present day through photographs, objects, documents, sound recordings and films. The Club itself represents more than 1.1 million caravan, motorhome, and campervan owners across the UK.
About the National Motor Museum
The National Motor Museum Trust is a charity established in 1972, responsible for the care of over 250 vehicles and thousands of motoring artefacts, photographs and films. Based in the New Forest, the Museum continues the legacy of the Montagu Motor Museum, and houses one of the most important automotive collections in the world.
Images courtesy of Caravan Magazine, the Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection, and the National Motor Museum.