The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu will present Pitch Up and Carry On, a new exhibition opening 13 September 2025. It runs until early summer 2026 and reveals a remarkable, largely untold story about caravans in wartime. The exhibition shows how caravans and their owners supported the war effort during the Second World War.
Caravans in Wartime Service
Drawing on rare materials from the Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection, the exhibition explores this unique period in caravanning history. Visitors will see manufacturers’ records, Club magazines, photographs, advertising, and personal accounts that reveal innovation during a national crisis. The collection also shows how caravans were adapted for military and civilian purposes during the darkest days of the conflict.
The In Focus Gallery hosts the exhibition, which highlights how the Club supported both members and newcomers to caravanning. From mobile RAF offices and army briefing rooms to Women’s Land Army accommodation, caravans proved surprisingly versatile. Some caravans even became air raid shelters, showing their importance in Britain’s wartime resilience.
How the Club Helped Members
When war broke out, The Caravan Club, as it was then known, quickly reacted. It lowered membership fees and offered practical guidance. The Club became a vital point of contact for caravanners during wartime, building a sense of community. Despite restrictions, fuel shortages and the upheaval of evacuation, it continued to publish advice and advocate for members. Importantly, the Club also advised government bodies on the many ways caravans could serve the nation.
Manufacturers Answer the Call
At the same time, caravan manufacturers shifted production from leisure vehicles to trailer bodies. They supplied the War Office and experimented with new ideas. Caravans became first aid posts, mobile canteens, and field headquarters. The British Army embraced these innovations quickly, recognising the caravan’s practicality and mobility in the field. Units deployed caravans as command centres, mobile offices, and sleeping quarters.
A special section of the exhibition includes period film footage. It also features a reading from the memories of a young girl who grew up in a caravan. Her story brings to life everyday experiences of caravanners in the 1940s. Visitors will gain an intimate sense of how life unfolded inside wartime caravans.
During December 1940, The Caravan Club promoted caravanning as a safe escape from bombed cities. That promotion showed resilience and resourcefulness at a time of fear and uncertainty. Caravans provided families with refuge, while also supporting the war effort in unexpected ways.
Voices Behind the Exhibition
Senior Curator Sara Riccabone emphasises the exhibition’s significance. She explains: “This exhibition, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, sheds light on an overlooked but fascinating chapter. We are delighted to collaborate with the National Motor Museum to tell this story. Caravans, and the community around them, proved a remarkable resource in a time of need.”
Caravanning Heritage Preserved
The exhibition captures the rich history of a beloved leisure pursuit. It showcases how caravanning has adapted, survived, and evolved through changing decades. By safeguarding records, it ensures that future generations can explore this heritage and appreciate caravanning’s enduring appeal.
A Forgotten Chapter Remembered
Ultimately, Pitch Up and Carry On highlights a forgotten chapter in caravanning history. It recalls a time when Britain pulled together, pitched in, pitched-up, and carried on.