Gordon Boswell Romany Museum
A family-run museum near Spalding with a large collection of Romany wagons, carts and harness, photographs and a short film about Romany life.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum was opened on 25 February 1995 by Gordon and Margaret Boswell, on what would have been the 100th birthday of Gordon's father, Sylvester Gordon Boswell. The singer Dave Peacock of the duo Chas and Dave opened it. Gordon had for more than twenty years travelled by horse and wagon from Spalding to the Appleby horse fair in Cumbria, and he gave talks with slides about these journeys to clubs such as his Rotary Club. Audiences kept asking to see a real wagon, which gave him the idea of building a museum.
Gordon and his son and grandsons built the museum at Clay Lake, and it has been extended several times. He collected original wagons from gardens and farms across the country, and people who knew his interest also brought him wagons. The collection now includes the oldest vardo, made in 1875 by Wicks of Wisbech, a wagon made before 1909 by Bill Wright, wagons from 1900 to the 1930s, Eccles caravans from 1927 and the 1930s, trailers from the 1970s, and a rod tent and a cottage tent of the kind used beside wagons. Harness, photographs and sketches covering about 150 years are also shown.
Gordon died in 2016, and the museum is run by his widow Margaret and their family. They want to keep the culture and heritage of the Romany people alive, and many visitors come to learn about their own Romany ancestors. The museum is independent and paid for by admission charges.
Highlights
- Largest collection of Romany wagons and carts open to the public in the UK
- Vardo made in 1875 by Wicks of Wisbech
- Romany harness and horse equipment
- Photographs and sketches of Romany life over about 150 years
- Film of Gordon Boswell talking about the Romany way of life
Permanent exhibitions
- Romany wagons, carts and harness – Vardos and carts from 1875 to the 1930s, later caravans and trailers, tents and harness that show how Romany families travelled and lived.
- Photographs and film – A film in the theatre room and a collection of photographs and sketches about the Boswell family and Romany life over about 150 years.
- Operated by
- Boswell family
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £8.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £5.50Child ticket for ages 5 to 16. |
| Groups (15+ people) | –Groups of 15 to 55 can book a visit by appointment on weekdays. |
Only cash is accepted because of the short season.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum says that it is all under cover and has disabled access.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
The museum describes itself as an experience for all the family and offers school visits.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Café
A tea room is part of the museum, according to a local newspaper report from 2025.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Visitors start in a small theatre room, where a film shows the late Gordon Boswell talking about the Romany way of life and the history of most of the wagons. School visits and club or coach visits are taken on weekdays by appointment, for groups of 15 to 55 people; telephone 01775 710 599 to arrange them. |
