05/07/2025
That's all folks...
Wow, what a journey. 15 years of building Roulottes and Gypsy wagons.
We never would have thought that something that started as a hobby would turn into a business. It's been an incredible journey and we have met some wonderful people and visited some beautiful parts of the UK and abroad.
We have built caravans for famous people , businesses ( National Trust, Folly Farm adventure park, Tates of Sussex, Mill House breaks, Stanegate Hideaway Huts to name a few), many one off bespoke builds and sent a few into Europe. We've also done interviews for tv/radio and had coverage in many magazines.
Quite a portfolio!!
Now it's time to move on. Why you may ask? Well first I'm not getting any younger. Building a large Roulotte takes an incredible amount of energy and time. It's not a quick flat pack kit that gets ships out. Every single one we build is lovingly made as if it were our own. No short cuts.
The price of materials has doubled since covid, our Siberian Larch cladding is no longer available due to problems in the east, our brass plaque maker retired, the blacksmith has gone part time, the chassis company is busy on bigger projects, my local timber supplier (20 years service) has closed down, the shutter scroll irons are discontinued and the cost of living has increased. This has made our wagons expensive to build and not really viable when competing against cheap shepherds huts and glamping pods.
Yes, we could adapt and make them out of cheaper materials but that goes against our beliefs and we want to finish on a high, knowing that out there in the wild are some very special one off, hand crafted wagons, that one day maybe our grand children can hunt down and still find them. If you own one, then cherish it, as there aren't many built with the brass Fernhills plaque.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers - each and every build was an intimate journey and a friendship made.
So what's next??
Back to my roots, boats - mainly narrowboats and barges.
I'm also starting some property renovations and carpentry in Malvern, Worcestershire - plus plenty more projects on the way. I've also got a some wagon parts kicking around so I may build a one off Vardo / mini Roulotte, off grid wagon when I get a minute. Let me know if you would interested in this one off build.
I'm keeping the name as it means something to me, so Fernhills is having a rebirth. An opportunity to get out locally and use my skills. This page will be now be used for my new adventure, hence the post and the name/description tweak.
Thanks for following our journey and for all your wonderful comments from all over the world. It's been a pleasure.
Marc and Rose
