A restored 1969 Airstream trailer has become a popular attraction at Wilderhus Glamping, a rewilded eco-retreat near Ashburton that recently received a Gold Award from Green Tourism UK for its environmental efforts.
The vintage American-made trailer, originally manufactured as an Airstream Land Yacht, began its life in California before being shipped to the UK by artist Willow de la Roche and her partner Finn.
According to de la Roche, the acquisition was inspired by a spontaneous decision:
“A few years ago I spun a globe to decide where to travel. It landed on California. Weeks later my partner Finn and I were in the desert, saw this old Airstream for sale by the side of the road, and knew she was coming home with us.”
The trailer was purchased for £3,000 and transported across the Atlantic at a cost of £6,000. Once in the UK, it underwent a full £31,000 restoration carried out primarily by de la Roche, who taught herself skills in electrics, plumbing, cabinetry, and metal polishing.
The interior now includes a wood-fired hot tub, reclaimed wood flooring, a bamboo shower, a solar power system, and a composting toilet. A custom-made solid maple bed and curved mattress alone accounted for £5,000 of the budget.
The Airstream sleeps four guests and one dog, with off-grid amenities including a spring-fed shower, according to the Teignmouth Post & Gazette.
Installation at the Wilderhus site posed challenges due to difficult terrain and limited access, with local tradespeople contributing £11,000 worth of materials and services.
Since its completion, the trailer has hosted a variety of guests including Dartmoor-based author Sophie Pierce, who used it as a base while writing Rock Idols: Dartmoor’s Wild Tors.
The accommodation is now used for creative residencies, romantic getaways, and writer retreats. Guests are also provided with wild swimming maps of the River Dart and have the opportunity to book behind-the-scenes tours.
For outdoor hospitality business owners, this project underscores the market potential of investing in unique, story-driven accommodations that appeal to niche traveler interests such as design, sustainability, and creative experiences.
The restoration also highlights the value of integrating local craftsmanship and environmentally conscious infrastructure into glamping business models.
Featured image by Wilderhus Glamping via wilderhusglamping.co.uk