About Burlingham Caravans From Coachbuilder to Caravan Pioneer

The journey of Burlingham Caravans begins in the quiet countryside of Norfolk, where Herbert Victor Burlingham was born in 1876. A skilled coachbuilder by trade, he married Florence Kiernen in 1899 and worked across Norfolk and Huddersfield before a bold relocation to Blackpool in 1928.

There, Herbert leased premises on Bloomfield Road and Bond Street, setting up shop in a seaside town known for its booming seasonal tourism. Like contemporaries Thomas Harrington Ltd of Hove and Plaxton in Scarborough, he recognised that coachbuilding had a natural rhythm - intense in winter and quiet in summer. Blackpool’s economy allowed his workforce to switch to other roles during the off-season, helping maintain a stable operation year-round.

Building a Reputation in Coach Design

Herbert's initial venture focused on general coachbuilding. The first creation? A van for a local butcher. But it wasn't long before luxury coach bodies became the company’s specialty. Early models followed the popular “all-weather” style of the time, featuring steel-reinforced wooden frames, aluminium panelling, wind-down windows, and full-length folding canvas roofs.

Innovative from the start, Burlingham was among the first to offer on-board toilet compartments - an uncommon luxury at the time. The company’s reputation quickly spread beyond Lancashire, attracting major clients such as Scottish Motor Traction of Edinburgh, Walter Alexander of Stirling, and Glenton Tours of London.

As demand grew, so did the need for space. After operating out of various sites, the business moved to a new factory on Preston New Road in late 1929, supported by additional premises on Newhouse Road for parts manufacturing and repairs.

A New Venture: Caravans

In 1930, Herbert made a pivotal decision. He sold the coachbuilding side of his business to local businessmen Richard Eaves and Harry Lowcock, who formed H.V. Burlingham Ltd. Herbert himself, however, turned to a new passion - caravans.

Drawing from his coachbuilding experience, Herbert crafted bespoke caravans, including some striking four-wheeled vans. His designs took inspiration from motor coaches and were as elegant as they were functional. One such model even appeared at the 1934 Olympia Motor Show.

By the late 1930s, his caravan line had evolved into a beautifully named range inspired by the British Lake District: Langdale, Rydal, Thirlmere, and others. These were handcrafted with flair and attention to detail, and even included heavy-duty models for travelling showmen.

Establishing a Presence in Preston

Originally based in Addison Road, the caravan works had moved to Brook Street, Preston by 1938. The business also ran a display ground and campsite at the nearby Garstang Bypass - now the modern-day home of Burlingham Caravans.

Introducing Burlingham Leisure Combining our shared heritage

As part of our continued growth, we’ve brought together Burlingham Caravans and John Charles Motorhomes under one parent brand. To reflect this shared heritage and future ambition, we created a new umbrella identity: Burlingham Leisure.

Burlingham Leisure represents the values both dealerships have long stood for — trust, quality, and personal service — while also paving the way for future growth across caravans, motorhomes, and campervans.

At the heart of Burlingham Leisure is a simple belief: unforgettable journeys begin with finding the right vehicle. Here’s what sets us apart:

Unmatched Heritage: With over 80 years of combined experience, our reputation is built on trust, integrity, and long-standing customer relationships.
Quality-Approved Stock: Every caravan and motorhome is carefully handpicked and prepared to the highest standards, ensuring peace of mind on every trip.
Customer-First Approach: Whether you’re new to touring or a seasoned adventurer, our friendly, knowledgeable team is here to support you at every step.
Specialist Expertise: From our Volkswagen campervan specialists to our highly qualified service engineers, we bring genuine insight and care to every customer interaction.

Explore our dedicated listings for Used Caravans and Used Motorhomes & Campervans. Whether you’re dreaming of countryside escapes in a lightweight caravan or road trips in a fully equipped campervan, Burlingham Leisure is your trusted partner for making those dreams a reality.

Burlingham Caravans Historic Timeline

1939 Catalogue:

Langdale (18ft) - £380
Rydal (15ft) - £265
Thirlmere (14ft) - £182
Rydal Junior (13ft6) - £198
Lyndale (12ft) - £168
Grasmere - £198
Derwent - £138

Burlingham even manufactured their own chassis and experimented with electric brakes - ahead of their time, though the idea never quite caught on.

War Years and Post-War Revival

Production paused during the Second World War, but by 1946, Burlingham was back in business with new models:

Rydal - £842
Langdale - £988

1948 Earls Court Motor Show:

Lakeland (19ft) - £1,580
Sportsman (13ft) - £599
A more affordable model, capable of carrying a 10ft dinghy (sold separately for £96).

Herbert Victor Burlingham retired that same year. The family tradition continued through his daughter and son-in-law, Mr and Mrs S. Parkinson, who carried the business forward.

Expanding the Range

1949 Additions:

Langdale (17ft6) - £1,175
Lindale (14ft) - £695

1951 Range:

Sportsman - £599
Lindale - £758
Rydal - £935
Langdale - £1,140 (£1,340 for Mollicroft)
Windermere - £1,295

1953 Model:

Kendal - £895

All earlier models remained in production.

The Final Years

By 1958, Burlingham Caravans was nearing the end of its original era. Pricing had become erratic, making it difficult to stay competitive. That year’s models included:

Sportsman - £825
Grasmere - £725
Kendal - £895
Langdale - £1,095
Windermere - £1,495

Without a dedicated dealer network, the company sold directly from its forecourt. By 1954, it had also begun offering caravans from other manufacturers.

Herbert Victor Burlingham remained passionate about caravans until his death in 1959 at the age of 82. He even kept the first caravan he ever built - a piece of history that was housed in the Lakeland Motor Museum for many years.

A Legacy Continued

Following Herbert’s passing, the Barton family kept the spirit alive, managing the shop, offering repairs, and overseeing limited caravan sales. They also owned the caravan park located behind the premises - now managed by Heather Barton and her daughter Helen.

In May 2011, a new chapter began. The business was sold to a newly formed company - Burlingham Caravans Ltd, the name we proudly operate under today.

Two of our longest-standing team members, James (11 years) and Ashley (celebrating 10 years in 2024), have played a huge role in the company’s growth, alongside a dedicated and passionate team.

From handcrafted wooden caravans to a modern dealership rooted in tradition, Burlingham Caravans remains a living legacy. Thank you for being part of our journey.