The Name is Club… Caravan and Motorhome Club Secret History Highlighted: The Real-Life ‘M’ was a Pioneer of the Caravan and Motorhome Club

The name is Club. Caravan and Motorhome Club…

In a history worthy of a Whitehall briefing, archivists are highlighting that the inspiration for ‘M’ — the legendary head of the Secret Intelligence Service in Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels — was an early pioneer of the Caravan and Motorhome Club.

Sir Mansfield Cumming, the first Director of MI6, who famously signed his documents with a single ‘C’ in green ink, was a member during the Club’s formative years. Known for his love of innovation, gadgetry and fast transport, it appears the man who helped define modern espionage also found freedom on the open road — and perhaps a discreet escape — within Britain’s emerging touring movement.

These remarkable details are being shared as part of the 20th anniversary of the Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection being housed at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. The Club was founded in 1907 and the Collection was started in 2006, a year before its centenary in 2007. While references to Cumming appear primarily in early members’ lists, his presence places one of Britain’s most enigmatic figures firmly within a community of pioneers, adventurers and unconventional thinkers. 

“We always knew early Club members were an extraordinary group, but highlighting the original spymaster among them adds a whole new layer of intrigue,” said Sara Riccabone, the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Curator at the National Motor Museum. “It seems even the head of the Secret Service needed a pitch in the New Forest to get away from it all!”

The archives reveal a rich and surprising cast of early members — a true cross-section of Edwardian society. Alongside establishment figures such as Sir Claude de Crespigny, Lady Sybil Grant, Sir Hugh Tyrwhitt-Drake, Lady Denman, Lord Hamilton and Lord Ailesbury, were creative and progressive voices including Lady Carbery and leading figures connected to the Arts and Crafts Movement.

These records paint a vivid picture of a Club that, from its earliest days, attracted individuals drawn to independence, experimentation and new ways of living — whether through art, politics or exploration. This anniversary look-back also sits alongside other fascinating archival finds, including correspondence from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, further reinforcing the Club’s place within a wider cultural and intellectual network of the time.

Harvey Alexander, CEO of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, said: “The anniversary of our Collection highlights that from our very earliest days, the Club has been the choice of Britain’s most adventurous and influential figures. These archives are much more than a nostalgic look back; they are a testament to a resilient, forward-thinking community that has consistently been at the forefront of social change. We are incredibly proud to protect this heritage at the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, ensuring that the spirit of independence and discovery that defined our founders continues to inspire our members today.”

To mark twenty years of the Collection at the National Motor Museum, a new showcase, Caravanning in the New Forest, is now open. It features original photo albums compiled by Club founder J. Harris Stone, alongside artefacts from some of the earliest recorded meets in the region.

From Victorian “land yachts” like Wanderer to mobile first-aid units used by frontline nurses during the World Wars, the Collection demonstrates that the Caravan and Motorhome Club has long been intertwined with the British story — sometimes in ways more “top secret” than anyone might have imagined.

For further information about becoming a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club or to book, please visit www.camc.com or call 01342 318 813.  

ENDS 

About the Caravan and Motorhome Club   

With over 1 million members and 119 years of experience, the Caravan and Motorhome Club is the UK’s No 1 touring club - as rated on TrustPilot - and helps its members get more from the great outdoors, whether glamping or touring.   

• Membership: £69 per year   

• Access to 2,700+ campsites across the UK and Europe   

• Escorted tours in Europe, North America, Australasia & Africa   

• Expert travel advice and member offers   

• Visit UK holiday deals & offers to see the range of offers   

Find out more or join:  www.camc.com | 01342 318 813   

More Ways to Stay: Experience Freedom   

Want to try glamping?    

Experience Freedom, from the Caravan and Motorhome Club, offers luxury stays in safari tents, glamping pods, yurts, motorhome hire, tent camping and more – across 10 beautiful UK locations. Open to both members and non-members, Experience Freedom combines comfort with the great outdoors. Operated by the Caravan and Motorhome Club, the brand benefits from decades of expertise in high-quality campsite management. Club members enjoy up to 20% off glamping stays for themselves and their guests.   

Find out more or join:  www.experiencefreedom.co.uk | 01342 777533   

Media Contacts: 

Caravan and Motorhome Club - Nikki Nichol - nikki.nichol@camc.com | 07771 834443   
Four Agency (Helen Coop, Manav Hartono, Maja Bull) - camc@four.agency