The history of the Elddis caravan

To be fair, when we talk about classic British caravanning, there’s one name that is consistently mentioned, and that’s Elddis. For decades, Elddis caravans have been part of the fabric of British holidaymaking. But how did it all begin? Let’s take a little amble down memory lane and find out!

Where it all began…

The Elddis story started in the early sixties in County Durham. Siddle Cook was running a haulage business at the time. He built his first caravan with the aim of creating a comfortable, reliable touring caravan that families could depend on. As it turns out, he was on to something rather special. 

Siddle and his wife, Mary, had taken up caravanning in the fifties as a way to relax from the stresses of him running his business. They had owned several touring caravans from different manufacturers in their early caravanning days, and soon realised that there wasn’t a caravan on the market that provided everything they wanted. Siddle then decided to design a tourer that would suit their needs better, and came up with a two-berth, 4-metre long model. This first model contained a fridge, a 12-volt lighting system, a radio, a compressed air reverse system and even a record player!

The Cooks saw this as an opportunity to enter their caravan into an event, and decided on the Caravan Club’s National Rally held at Longleat in 1963. They won their class, giving them the inspiration to go on to making caravans as a business. With his son, Ray, Siddle built another tourer in late 1964 and called it Elddis. This model was a four-berth, 3.5-metre version. There was no washroom included but it came fitted with a cooker/grill, gas lights, a wardrobe and a side locker to store a toilet tent. It even came with a tea set as standard!

By the late sixties, Elddis was already a recognised name, particularly known for their innovation and quality. One of their early successes was the Elddis Whirlwind, a model that brought comfort and flair to a generation keen on hitting the road. As British holidaymakers turned their attention to domestic getaways, particularly after the fuel crises and airport strikes of the 1970s, Elddis was perfectly placed to become a household name, continuing with the ‘wind’ names as it grew, following the Whirlwind with the Tornado.

You might also have noticed that the company name is a clever twist on the name of its founder, Siddle - ‘Elddis’ is Siddle spelled backwards!

Great British holidays...

Elddis didn’t just rest on its laurels, however. Throughout the eighties and nineties, the company pushed ahead with new layouts, lighter materials, and smarter design touches. From clever storage solutions to family-friendly floorplans, the Elddis caravans in these decades were as much about practicality as they were about enjoying the finer things in life.

Fridges and heaters were now fitted as standard, along with double glazing. The new GT range that was added in 1981 included mains electrics, hot water, a shower, a space heater and an oven as standard kit. The AL-KO chassis was now standard on all Elddis models, replacing the B&B chassis. The introduction of the Hurricane in 1983 and the Pamperos in 1984 with their different layouts gave even more options to interested buyers. 

In 1998, Elddis formed The Explorer Group and, at the same time, acquired the luxury brand Buccaneer. 

The brand continued to grow and adapt, expanding into manufacturing motorhomes as well. This diversification showed Elddis’s willingness to evolve with the changing tastes of British travellers. Whether you were a couple escaping for the weekend or a full-blown family of five, there was likely an Elddis that fit the bill.

Here's one repurposed into an information centre in Norfolk!

Into a new era…

In 2017, Elddis as a brand entered a new chapter when it was acquired by the Erwin Hymer Group, a European caravan and motorhome giant. This gave Elddis the benefit of international expertise while still proudly manufacturing in the UK. A few years later, in 2019, the Hymer Group was acquired by THOR Industries, one of the largest leisure vehicle manufacturers in the world. Despite these changes in ownership, Elddis has never lost its northern soul or commitment to British craftsmanship.

What has truly set Elddis apart in recent years is their SoLiD Construction. SoLiD Construction (named according to the core principles of Strong, Light, Dry) was used in the production of every caravan and motorhome, regardless of its price tag, and was designed to minimise water ingress and extend the life of the vehicle.

Still going strong…

Today, Elddis caravans remain a familiar sight at campsites up and down the country. Their ranges, including the Avante, Affinity and Crusader, offer everything from entry-level simplicity to plush luxury, with modern styling and thoughtful touches throughout. Behind the brand lies a proud British story - one built on family, innovation and the sheer joy of caravanning.

What a journey they’ve been on… we look forward to seeing what's next!