I joined the circus with nothing but the bags I could carry – moving into a caravan was a shock, it had no water or gas

The Sun

18-07-2025

RUNNING away to join the circus might sound like a joke, but for this woman it's a reality - and one she has no regrets over.
Emeila, 24, left home at 18 to travel the country with a circus group and hasn't looked back since.
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Despite having no connections to the circus before joining, Emelia was determined to make her dream of performing a reality.
It all began when she was 16 and entered the UK aerial performance championship, she told her followers on TikTok recently.
Dressed up in a princess gown, complete with glittery eyeshadow, a blonde wig and glistening tiara, Emelia explained that she was invited the the final of the competition.
Then at 21 during a break from university, Emelia noticed the same woman who ran the competition was hiring a someone to dance and be a magician's assistant in the circus.
Although it wasn't her dream role, Emelia explained that she wanted to be on stage more than anything else so still took the job.
Now, Emelia has worked many different roles in the circus, and has gone on to excel in her career there - but it wasn't always so easy.
Although she now travels with her boyfriend and is fully settled into life on the road, when she first joined she only had to bags she could carry and a dingy caravan.
"When I first joined the circus I was all by myself, 100 percent a very scary experience and for me the thought of moving into a caravan was a massive shock," she explained in a viral clip.
Thing were made worse by the fact her new abode didn't have running water or gas.
Emelia's first caravan was provided by the circus and towed from place to place by them, since she didn't have a car at the time.
The job is more complicated than you might think though, as everyone has many shoes to fill.
According to the performer, each person has to take on different role each day, including working in the box office, checking tickets on the door, selling merch during intervals, helping with props and more.
So, work is rarely over for Emelia once her act is done.
Not only that, but the workers have to build and take down the tent whenever they move somewhere new.
Emelia confessed she does get plenty of time off the the gruelling circus schedule though.
The circus, she explained, only tours from March to November, plus two weeks for Christmas and a week during February half term.
During her time off, she gets a break from caravan life as she usually goes home to visit family, or enjoys a holiday with her boyfriend.
But Emelia will also pick up extra work at Christmas grottos, usually as one of Santa's helpers.
After sharing her journey on TikTok people were amazed by her performer's way of life.
One person said: "Working at a circus sounds like so much fun! Glad you're living your dream."
"I'd love to work at the circus rather than my corporate hell hole," someone else chimed in.
And another wrote: "A job is a job, as long as you enjoy it it's no one else's business."
How much does it cost to live in a caravan?
LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs:
Initial Costs
Caravan Purchase: £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition)
Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year
Ongoing Monthly Costs
Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities)
Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120
Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80
Internet and TV: £20 - £50
Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40
Other Potential Costs
Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25
Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance
Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time)
Sample Monthly Budget
Pitch Fees: £400
Utilities: £80
Maintenance and Repairs: £40
Internet and TV: £40
Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25
Total: £585
Annual Estimated Cost
Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020
Insurance: £500
Maintenance and Repairs: £480
Total Annual Cost: £8,000
Tips to Save
Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons.
DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself.
Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs.
While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK.