Pitch-up and Carry On caravans in wartime Britain

During the Second World War, caravans became more than just a leisure escape—they were a lifeline. This exhibition explores the remarkable role of The Caravan Club and its members during the war, highlighting stories of resilience and ingenuity.

Location: In Focus Gallery, National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
Date: 13 September 2025

As Britain braced for war, caravans provided shelter for evacuees fleeing the Blitz, mobile command posts for military strategists, and vital support units for the Red Cross and Civil Defence.

Families placed caravans in remote locations, offering refuge to children, expectant mothers, and the elderly—helping to ease the strain on Civil Defence services.

Beyond civilian use, caravans played a crucial role in military strategy. In a conflict defined by movement and rapid response, they provided mobile living quarters for commanders and research personnel, ensuring key decision-makers could remain operational wherever they were needed. Their ability to relocate at short notice made them indispensable in a war that demanded constant adaptability.

Caravan Club Site London During The Second World War

Caravans also became an integral part of emergency response efforts. The Red Cross and Civil Defence units converted them into first aid posts, while ambitious plans even proposed entire mobile hospitals on wheels—fleets of medical caravans designed to bring urgent care to bombed-out cities within minutes.

Discover how these humble holiday vehicles became a crucial part of Britain’s wartime home front, offering security, mobility, and hope in a time of uncertainty.

This exhibition is realised in partnership with the Caravan and Motorhome Club. The National Motor Museum hosts the Club's Collection, the UK’s most significant collection of material relating to the history of the leisure caravan and motorhome holiday.

Discover the Collection here.