Romahome holds a unique and much-loved place in UK motorhoming as the country's original micro-motorhome manufacturer. These distinctive, compact campervans — many based on Citroën Berlingo and Nemo platforms — proved that motorhoming doesn't require a large vehicle, and inspired thousands of owners to explore Britain in vehicles barely larger than a family car.

The most popular models included:

The R25 and Duo/Outlook — based on the Citroën Berlingo, these two-berth micro-motorhomes packed a remarkable amount of functionality into a tiny footprint. A useable kitchen, toilet, sleeping for two and enough storage for a week away, all within a vehicle you could park in any car parking space.

The R30 (formerly Dimension) — based on the larger Citroën Relay, this was Romahome's most comprehensively equipped model with four forward-facing belted seats, shower/toilet, full oven with four-burner hob, three-way fridge and mains hook-up.

The R10 Solo — the ultimate micro-motorhome for solo travellers, based on the tiny Citroën Nemo. Single berth with all the basics including porta potti, two-burner hob and mains hook-up.

Although no longer in production, Romahomes retain a devoted following through the active Romaclub, and hundreds of examples remain in regular use across the UK.

Romahome originated on the Isle of Wight, manufactured by Island Plastics Ltd. The original concept belonged to Barry Stimson — a dismountable caravan body that sat on the back of a Japanese micro-truck like the Honda Acty. The company's expertise in glass fibre moulding produced distinctive, well-finished bodies that attracted excellent reviews in motorhome magazines.

As the concept evolved, Island Plastics designed a slightly larger Romahome on the Citroën C15 base, moving from dismountable bodies to purpose-built micro-motorhomes. Unfortunately, Island Plastics ran into financial difficulties and closed.

A management buy-out funded by the Freeborn Group (who had been supplying Citroën C15 vans to the factory) revived production. Under new ownership, Romahome expanded the range onto the Citroën Berlingo platform, creating the beloved R20, R25, Duo and Outlook models that became the backbone of the UK micro-motorhome market.

Around 2008, the model range was rationalised and renamed with numbers: R10 (single berth on Citroën Nemo), R25 (Berlingo-based two-berth), and R30 (Citroën Relay-based two-berth with full facilities).

Production faced a critical setback when Citroën France ruled that the Berlingo could no longer be converted due to ESP compatibility issues with the extended chassis. As the R20 and R25 accounted for 70% of production, this was devastating. Dan and Jess Bailey took on production through Addabak Ltd, continuing the R10 and R30, but ill health ultimately forced closure. No further Romahomes will be produced.

Pioneering the micro-motorhome concept — Romahome proved that you could have genuine motorhoming capability in a vehicle small enough to use as everyday transport. The concept inspired an entire market segment and influenced manufacturers worldwide.

Exceptional glass fibre quality — Island Plastics' expertise in GRP moulding gave Romahome bodies a quality of finish that belied their compact size. The distinctive raised-roof bodies are well-made and durable.

Devoted owner community — the Romaclub is one of the most active and enthusiastic motorhome owner clubs in the UK. Even after production ended, the community continues to thrive, providing technical support, social events and a marketplace for used vehicles.

Everyday usability — unlike larger motorhomes that sit on the drive between trips, a Romahome could genuinely serve as daily transport. The Berlingo-based models in particular combined motorhome functionality with car-like dimensions and running costs.

Affordable entry to motorhoming — Romahomes were always competitively priced, and used examples remain among the most affordable motorhomes available. For buyers wanting to try motorhoming with minimal financial commitment, Romahome offers an accessible starting point.

If you want the smallest possible motorhome — Romahome offers genuine motorhoming in the smallest footprint available. If parking space, manoeuvrability or the ability to use the vehicle daily matter most, nothing else compares.

If you're a solo traveller — the R10 Solo was designed specifically for one person, with everything needed for independent touring without the bulk or expense of a larger vehicle.

If budget is the primary concern — used Romahomes are among the most affordable motorhomes on the market. Running costs mirror those of a small car rather than a large motorhome, making them economical to own and operate.

If you want an active owner community — the Romaclub provides exceptional support, advice and social opportunities. Buying a Romahome means joining a friendly, knowledgeable community that will help with every aspect of ownership.

If you want to try motorhoming before committing — the low purchase price, car-like running costs and everyday usability make Romahome an ideal way to experience motorhoming without the financial commitment of a larger vehicle.

Brand is discontinued — no new production — Romahome production has permanently ceased. There will be no new models, no manufacturer support and no factory warranty. Ownership relies on the community and aftermarket support.

Very limited space — even by micro-motorhome standards, Romahomes are compact. Extended stays require careful packing, and taller occupants may find the headroom and bed length restrictive. These are vehicles designed for nights away, not full-time living.

Ageing base vehicles — most Romahomes are now 10–20+ years old, built on Citroën platforms that have their own age-related maintenance requirements. The Berlingo-based models in particular are getting old enough to require careful mechanical inspection.

Limited facilities compared to larger motorhomes — while ingeniously designed, a Romahome cannot match the facilities of even a small coachbuilt motorhome. Compromises on shower space, cooking facilities and storage are inherent in the micro-motorhome concept.

Parts for the conversion unique to Romahome — while Citroën base vehicle parts are available through normal channels, Romahome-specific components (GRP body parts, interior fittings) can only be sourced second-hand or fabricated. The Romaclub is the best resource for these items.

Resale values are modest — while loyal owners love their Romahomes, the wider market doesn't command strong prices for ageing micro-motorhomes. Purchase as a vehicle to use and enjoy rather than as an investment.

Check the GRP body carefully — inspect the glass fibre body for cracks, crazing, delamination or impact damage. Pay particular attention to the roof-to-wall joints and around the windows. GRP repair is possible but needs to be done properly to remain watertight.

Inspect the Citroën base vehicle for age-related issues — depending on the model, check the specific Citroën platform thoroughly. Berlingo models: check clutch, timing belt, suspension bushes and exhaust. Relay models: check similar plus turbo condition. Nemo models: check for typical small diesel age-related issues.

Conduct a thorough damp check — use a damp meter on all surfaces, particularly around windows, the body-to-chassis junction and any roof fittings. Older GRP bodies can develop seal failures that allow water ingress.

Test all habitation systems — check the gas system (burners, water heater), 12V electrics, mains hook-up and any fridge or heating. Simple systems but they must work correctly for safe use.

Join the Romaclub before buying — the club's experienced members can provide invaluable advice on specific models, known issues and fair pricing. They may also know of vehicles for sale within the community.

Check for rust on the base vehicle — older Citroën vans can suffer from corrosion, particularly around wheel arches, sills and the underside. Inspect thoroughly and budget for any remedial work needed.

As a discontinued brand with no manufacturer support, Romahome motorhomes carry no warranty of any kind from the original manufacturer. All maintenance and repairs are the owner's responsibility, supported by the excellent Romaclub community and general motorhome aftermarket suppliers.

Given the age of most Romahomes and the Citroën base vehicles, an independent warranty may provide some peace of mind for base vehicle mechanical issues, though the specialist nature of the Romahome conversion may not be covered by standard policies.

For most Romahome buyers, building a relationship with a good local mechanic familiar with Citroën vans, and joining the Romaclub for conversion-specific support, provides more practical protection than formal warranty cover.

When buying a used Romahome, look for a dealer that offers an independent warranty backed by a provider like the RAC. This means your warranty remains valid even if the dealer ceases trading. OakTree Motorhomes offer up to three years of RAC-backed warranty, covering the average ownership period.