This photo taken in 1877 shows a group of travellers or "nomades" parked on vacant land at Battersea. A group are gathered round the caravan of William Hampton. They attended fairs, markets, and hawk cheap ornaments or useful wares from door to door. At certain seasons this class 'works' regular wards, or sections of the city and suburbs. At other seasons its members migrate to the provinces, to engage in harvesting, hop-picking, or to attend fairs, where they figure as owners of 'Puff and Darts', 'Spin 'em rounds', and other games.

From Street Life in London 1877 by John Thomson and Adolphe Smith.