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Wanderlusts Gypsy Caravans

Melmerby, Cumbria, England
4 acres hosted by Barny M.
3 glamping pitches
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Travelling from site to site in a bow-top gypsy caravan, through Cumbria's stunning scenery

To experience the romance of life on the road, head for the quiet byways of Cumbria with Wanderlusts Gypsy Caravans. Choose from one of two private, stationary camps or opt for a horse-drawn holiday where you move from place to place in the tranquil Eden Valley. Either way, these off grid holidays are, surely, the most authentic way to experience the old traditions of a nomadic lifestyle in peaceful countryside between the Lake District and the North Pennines.

These bow-top gypsy caravans are hosted by Barny Maurice, who understands the draw of the open road very well. He ran away to the circus at the age of 16 and lived that life for 20 years before starting Wanderlusts more than a decade ago. If you opt for a horse-drawn holiday, you’ll spend time learning the ropes and reigns from him as you trundle down country lanes. The creek of wooden wagon wheels, the breeze in your hair, and the ever-changing country backdrop make the experience Barny offers something quite different to your average 'glamping' trip. He’ll help you set up camp at each travelling day’s destination then leave you and the horses to rest and enjoy the location for 24 hours before getting back on the road.

Opt for one of the encampments back at the Wanderlusts HQ and the experience is a little different. You’ll be left more or less to your own devices with a gypsy wagon or two to sleep in, a fire pit, a compost loo, and a secluded location by a beck. Choose Blackthorn for a rustic sauna in the mix; choose Bluebell to sleep up to eight. There’s a stream-fed wood-fired hot tub available as an add on too.

Whether you choose to go out on the road or to stay in one place, there’s no option but to slow down. As your phone runs out of battery, while you filter your water, and as you wait for dinner to cook on your campfire, you’ll connect better with nature, your surroundings and the past and, perhaps, whoever you’ve come with too.

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Location
Melmerby, Cumbria, England, United KingdomTraditional, ancestral territory of various First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Barny M.Joined in September 2015
From the host
Wanderlusts offer the only roaming Horse-drawn Gypsy Caravan Holidays in Cumbria, as well as now offering two totally off-grid retreats: The Bluebell Camp and The Blackthorn Camp. All set in beautiful locations in and around Cumbria’s Eden Valley, a secret gem of tranquility, linking the Lake District National Park with the North Pennines “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty“. We are a small family business living and working completely off grid! With over twenty years experience of making, restoring and travelling thousands of miles on the highways and byways of both Britain and France in traditional horse drawn caravans, Barny combined his skills and experiences to create Wanderlusts Retreats and Adventures. What we are offering is a totally unique experience, the chance to touch upon a childhood dream! To be transported slowly and gently to the romantic ideals behind stories such as ‘The Wind in the Willows’ and ‘Danny the Champion of the World’ and so many more…. A big part of ‘our place’ is on the road.
Nearby attractions

If you’re on a horse-drawn holiday, what’s nearby is ever changing but as you’re in the Eden Valley, there are typically riverside and countryside walks. Ask Barny about what’s near each day’s camping spot. If you stay at The Blackthorn or The Bluebell Camp you’ll be at Wanderlust’s Nutwood headquarters near Melmerby. From here there are lovely walks in to the surrounding countryside. A popular place to wander is to see the stone circle, Long Meg and Her Daughters, four miles away, and Lacy’s Caves, a mile or so further on. The River Eden also provides beautiful riverside walks in the area and there’s Melmerby Fell if you want a walk with views. This is the edge of the North Pennines so there’s plenty more of that to the east while, to the west, it’s only about 15 miles to the edge of the Lake District National Park. Penrith is the closest town, about nine miles away.

Food and drink

Wanderlusts Gypsy Caravans’ base in Melmerby where you’ll be based or will set off from is just a mile from the village centre. There’s The Village Bakery, which offers a small shop and tea room, and The Shepherd’s Inn pub. Other pubs nearby include The Fox Inn at Ousby (two miles) and The Crown and The Featherston Arms in Kirkoswald (five miles). Kirkoswald is also a good place to head for if you want supplies for your own cooking as it has a good community shop. For more than what’s on offer there head to Penrith (nine miles) or Alston (11 miles). Both have a good range of shops.

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