Born and raised in a North Cotswold village, Mark Bayliss represents the third generation of a family deeply rooted in the Cotswold farming community. From a young age, Mark was immersed in life on the land, visiting local farms and livestock markets with his father and uncle. This early exposure fostered a profound understanding of British farming traditions and the heritage of sheep reared in the Cotswolds.

The Cotswolds has long been celebrated as a centre of the British wool trade, with communities built around sheep farming, weaving, and craftsmanship. This heritage is central to the Bayliss family story: from attending livestock markets to working directly with local farmers, the family continues this tradition. Every product from Cotswold Wool Trader celebrates the craftsmanship, care, and community spirit that has defined Cotswold wool for centuries.

Mark’s father and uncles contributed to the community through livestock trading and farm management, sustaining the local rural economy. Today, Mark continues this legacy, blending traditional knowledge with modern craftsmanship, ethical business practices, and a deep respect for the land and its people.

Mark now runs Cotswold Wool Trader alongside his daughters, making the business a true family collaboration. Their shared mission is to celebrate British wool, support small and medium-scale farmers, and connect communities through products that are as authentic as they are beautiful.

Our business thrives on local connections, working closely with farmers, artisans, and customers, to sustain the region’s wool industry and support a vibrant, ethical, and sustainable community. By keeping the wool trade local, we honour the Cotswolds’ heritage while creating products that tell the story of our land, our sheep, and our people.

With a love for the rolling hills and rich landscapes of the Cotswolds, the Bayliss family draws inspiration from their surroundings to create high-quality wool products that honour the region’s sheep breeds and their stories.