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Barrel Top Wagons

Barrel Top Wagons

Barrel Top Wagons are a specialist carpentry business making wooden wagons, cabins, and lodges from sustainable, locally grown timber. We make solid timber caravans for living, holiday and work space. Carpenter Ben Ranson has 25 years’ experience of working with wood, and has developed relationships with timber suppliers on Dartmoor and in the Tamar Valley. He can then source the best local timber, mostly larch, Douglas fir and cedar, to use when constructing the bespoke wagons.


Ben and his partner Jo Henderson live near Okehampton in one of their larger wagons, which is ideal when potential customers want to see the product in use. Ben uses Earthwool for insulation and produces their unique double curved roof with galvanised tin. With the addition of a Windy Smithy wood burner, the wagons are suitable for year round use, and at up to 25 foot, they are larger and more solid than a shepherds hut. They can include all the creature comforts such as a shower, toilet and fully fitted kitchen.

Similar to a static caravan, the living wagons can be moved by a large tractor or put on a low loader for any longer journeys. They also make smaller, towing wagons, suitable for pulling with a 4 x 4, such as their amazing 2015 design. This is a mid-range wagon, perfect for holiday accommodation or as a practical, unique spare room in the garden.


This innovative company also makes cabins, lodges and workshops – all bespoke and made using local wood – and takes on interesting carpentry projects, from timber roof frames to children’s playhouses, banqueting tables and benches to solid bridges. “We are always happy to discuss people’s upcoming projects – as long as they want something made well, and with love, from local timber, we are happy to consider it.” Says Jo.
Established in 2011, the business has quickly grown, with this year set to be their best yet. They have recently received a Small Business award from ex-Dragon Theo Paphitis and have just discovered they will be supplying local Devon business, Plant Belles, with a structure to take to RHS Chelsea and Tatton park flower shows this year as well as attending the prestigious Contemporary Craft Fair at Bovey Tracey.

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