Roma encampments are becoming more commonplace at SCA gatherings. Although the vardo is not period for the SCA, more and more people have either made one, or are in the process. It's just too pleasant to be dry at events. Here are the ones that I know about, including my own. I've also included several links to professionals who build wagons, if you'd like to contact someone else to do the carpentry.

If you're building a vardo, and want to share photos, or if you know a pro who wouldn't mind a plug for the business, please email me. I'd be happy to include a link to the website, or just put up a few photos.

Rachel the Goatwoman's 1st Vardo My first caravan. Based loosely on the Ledge and Burton wagons: a large comfortable living space that collapses down for easier driving and storage. This website shows the building process and lots of photos of the finished and decorated wagon.

Rachel the Goatwoman's 2nd Vardo Who knew I'd do this again?? I teamed up with Daphne from Daphne's Caravans (see below) to see if we could do the same thing over, but as a one-person setup. Plenty of photos from our intensive two-week building session.

Dunstan de Argentine's Wagon A smaller wagon reminiscent of a bowtop or conestoga wagon. Also packs down for storage, and can be towed by a very small car. UPDATE!! This wagon was upgraded and made more roomy in the summer of 2006. It will now need a stronger towing vehicle, but it's still light and easy to move. To go directly to the improvements, click HERE.

Paolo Garbanzo's Bowtop This vardo is large like mine, but built with a canvas top like Dunstan's, so it's a lot lighter for travel. It's used at SCA events and the various shows that Paolo performs at.

Dulcinaya's Open Lot A clever open lot design that enlarges on the shockpole vardo idea. Lightweight with nice detailing. Just a wonderful piece, and very close in appearance to the period designs.

Daphne's Caravans Available for sale. There are several sizes and types shown on the website, even children's playhouse vardos. Lovely work and nice attention to detail. She works with farm wagon bases and road trailers, depending on buyer's preference. You can order one custom built for you, or attend "Wagon School" and help build your own.

Les's Caravans A good friend of mine in the UK. He has an enduring interest in the history, restoration and building of vardos, and he has been answering questions and sharing information with me for several years. This is some of his work.

American Gypsy Caravan Very nice bowtop style trailers you can build yourself. Available items include Tim's book, plans with templates, or even a full kit. This looks like a great and inexpensive way to build a good quality vardo, with a real flavor for the original construction style.

Tinker's Wagon This is another canvas bowtop design. Check out the beautiful interior finish work--definitely a cut above the average pop-up.

Scott's Ledge Collection of photos of a nice little ledge made from found materials. Beautiful attention to detail and some really great features.

Baron Uilliam's Page Promises to be a great resource. Right now shows plans and layouts for the wagon he'll be building. He intends to show expenses as well as the process itself, which should be interesting for anyone who's thinking of building one themselves.

Romany Rest Bed & Breakfast Blog from a couple who run a Canadian bed and breakfast. Their page shows the work in progress as they build a vardo using Tim's plans. (See link above.)

Nick Dow's Bowtops This fellow is located in the UK. His vardos are based on bowtop living wagons of the 1800s, and they're just gorgeous. Mr. Dow says that he has not built one on a car trailer yet, but that he probably could if a client asked. Very accurate and true to the originals, if you're looking for a wagon that really looks the part. Plans are now available for sale! Check his site for details.

Ingham and Fallon Another UK site. They sell used and new wagons, including Mr.Dow's plans. They also do restorations and sell Romany style furniture and art. Some really interesting items.

Gypsy Wagons by Roth This builder is here in the US. The wagons pictured are very beautiful Reading and Ledge styles. They are extremely detailed and accurate. There's also a list on the website of other restorers and builders you can contact.

Gypsy Wagons and Rolling Homes by James Very beautiful and unique vardo trailers for sale, as well as wagon-inspired campers and vans. Very handsome and unusual work.

BOWO-Schäferwagen-Manufaktur This site is in German. Tons of great photos of wagons they have built, and of their construction process.

RouléRêve This one is in French. Lots of really detailed construction and finished project photos.

Jim T's Vardo Gorgeous interpretation of a bowtop vardo, designed for the rigors of the road. Handtooled and very detailed. Just wonderful!

Gizz's Wagon Short photo essay showing the making of a bowtop. The finished photos have been added, and plans will be available soon.

Home and Garden Gypsy Wagon Another photo essay on a gypsy wagon built for the Home and Garden Network. Very nice.

Tumbleweed Tiny Houses I'm including this one because these folks sell reasonably priced plans for making houses on trailers. One of the featured ones is for a ledge-type wagon.

English Gypsy Caravans This company restores and sells real vardos. They have some beautiful work. Stock changes frequently, so check in often.

Gypsy Caravans Another UK company, recommended by a friend. They provide original and newly made caravans, as well as service and repair work on existing ones.

Gypsy Waggons Large collection of vardo photos from all over. Great resource for research.

The Gypsy Wagon at Ravenwood Castle This was never meant as a travel wagon, but was built for a Castle themed hotel. It's got electricity, a microwave and a ceiling fan! (I still can't figure out how they managed THAT one.) Not necessarily for SCA use, but wonderful nonetheless.

If you want to build a vardo, and you're looking for something to appease the Period Police, the following documentation might help. These illuminations show wagons similar to vardos in use as early as the 1400s. They weren't necessarily used by the Roma, but they did exist.

And finally, if you just can't justify a vardo because you really want to stay in period, there are methods that are more correct. This link shows photos, paintings, and instructions on how to make a bender tent.