Cotswold sheep descended from those that grazed the Cotswold Hills in Roman times achieved outstanding success as wool producers in the Middle Ages when Cotswold wool became a major export. The famous ‘wool’ churches in Cotswold towns and villages such as Cirencester and Northleach built by wealthy wool merchants, remain as lasting evidence of the breed’s medieval importance.
The crimped fleece is heavy and lustrous and was frequently referred to as a ‘Golden Fleece’. The best fleeces are much in demand with hand-spinners but for some years there has been little demand for the wool commercially. This is partly because the quantities produced each year are relatively small (there just aren’t very many Cotswolds!!) and the wool has been classified by the Wool Board under the general classification of Lustre Wools and prices paid have been low.
Recently however, there have been a greater interest in our wool and we are now supplying several regular buyers who are prepared to pay a Cotswold premium. One of these is the Adam Henson’s Bed Collection by Harrison Spinks – a range of mattresses some of which contain ‘Golden Fleece’. Another exciting project is the Stroud Blanket Company where our Cotswold wool is used to weave wonderful, traditional blankets.