Welcome To Burlingham Caravans
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 sum
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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.
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