Gypsies and Travellers

North Lincolnshire Council has a commitment to diversity. We each have our own unique needs, skills, qualities and abilities. We believe this diversity must be valued. We aim to make sure our services meet everyone's needs.

Everyone has rights, including Gypsies and travelling communties.

History and culture

Gypsies are believed to have migrated from India in around AD1000, first reaching Britain, five centuries later. Irish Travellers, first recorded in Ireland, in the fifth century as a nomadic group with a distinct identity, dialect and social organisation, have been living in Britain since the beginning of 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, most significantly, a nomadic tradition.

It is estimated that between 90,000 and 120,000 Gypsies and Irish Travellers live in caravans in England. Up to three times as many live in conventional housing.

Gypsies and Travellers are often portrayed as a group that cause nuisance, but this isn't necessarily true.

More information