The "Travelling Castle" was built in 1907 for Lorna Barran of Kingham in Oxfordshire. She was described in a newspaper feature as "not without experience of the nomadic life and its requirements"
The caravan was built by Thomas Fallows, a carriage builder of Manchester Road, Cheadle. It had a "pointing of bright yellow and a superior finish" and externally resembled a gypsy caravan. It was 12ft long and 6ft 6in wide. Bamboo canes were attached to the left hand side and when covered with a canvas, provided privacy and shelter for bathing.
Internally it was fitted with a corner cupboard for china and crockery, a wardrobe in another corner, and drawers, tables and shelves etc., which converted into bedroom at nightime. Paraphernalia for almost every requirement that a settled home demands was compressed into this limited space.
And the cost? Exclusive of internal fittings, was just £50..
I wonder if she chalked the wheels. If could have been a fore runner of the charabanc. One should be sited on the Rec at Yeardsley cum Whaley. After a certain person had finished exercising, ablutions could be taken behind the canvas.
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