Atchin Tan Project at Worcestershire County Museum

Atchin Tan is a project based at Worcestershire County Museum at Hartlebury Castle. The project is funded by the Arts Council England and the Elmley Foundation – centred around the Museum’s nationally significant collection of Gypsy Vardos [waggons].

In Romani language, Atchin Tan means “stopping place” – somewhere Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities would park up whilst travelling and often return to in future years. An Atchin Tan was not only a stopping place, but a safe place. Worcestershire County Museum is a safe stopping place for a nationally significant vardo collection. This collection is rare because historically vardos were burnt on the death of their owner, to both ward off bad spirits and prevent arguments over property.

The project extends beyond the waggons in the County Museum’s Transport Gallery, which unfortunately is currently closed. The project is informed by personal perspectives of local travelling communities to accurately represent and share their heritage and culture. There are plans for the collection’s long-term display, and the project aims to reintroduce endangered skills, reduce prejudices and negate stereotypes.

This is a collection which is nothing without its communities and their stories to tell.

Follow Atchin Tan Project on Facebook for regular updates and to see more of the collection.

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month – June 2026

Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History month is celebrated every June.

Two local primary schools who have Gypsy, Roma and Traveller children are involved with the Atchin Tan project. After an assembly sharing about the project, children and families took part in a workshop designing and painting wooden cut-out vardos. Their creations and enthusiasm was incredible!

These vardos will be on display at Worcestershire County Museum throughout the summer and will then be found across the county in places like medical centres and libraries.

This year’s GRT History Month celebrations will culminate in two days of school trips at the County Museum with storytelling workshops by Richard O’Neill and performances by Crystal’s Vardo.