Culture and Heritage

Gypsies and Irish Travellers have lived in the UK for centuries , with the first authenticated records of Gypsies in England dating from 1514. 

Irish Travellers, first recorded in Ireland in the fifth century, have been living in Britain since the 19th century.

Today, these two groups differ in family size, economic activity, travelling patterns, language and certain cultural traditions.  However, they also have much in common, significantly their nomadic way of life.

Historically we have always needed people to move around seasonally to pick fruit and work in the fields and support the settled populations. More information about the Gypsy and Traveller way of life can be found on our useful Links section.