AN ANCIENT TRADE ETCHED IN STONE

The History of the Cotswold Wool Trade

The Cotswolds became wealthy during the medieval period largely due to the wool trade, with fleece from the region considered among the finest in Europe. Known as “the golden fleece of England,” Cotswold wool was exported across the continent, bringing prosperity to merchants, farmers, and towns. This wealth left a lasting legacy of wool churches, grand manor houses, and market towns, a story written in stone and spun in wool.


At Cotswold Wool Trader, we celebrate this remarkable heritage by reconnecting the fibres of the past with the craftsmanship of today. Our products honour the breeds, the people, and the places that built the Cotswolds’ wool-rich story, inviting you to follow the thread across villages, footpaths, and markets that once thrived on this trade

Chipping Campden

“The Woolstaplers’ Capital”

“Chipping” means market, and this elegant town was once a hub for Cotswold wool traders. Grevel’s House (built 1380) belonged to William Grevel, one of England’s richest wool merchants. The town’s wealth is reflected in its stunning High Street of honey-coloured stone.

Stow-on-the-Wold

“At the Crossroads of Trade”

At the junction of ancient drovers’ routes, Stow was renowned for vast sheep fairs, where tens of thousands of animals changed hands. Even today, its market square recalls those bustling medieval trading days.

Burford

“Gateway to the Cotswolds”

A powerful wool centre in the 14th–17th centuries, Burford thrived on sheep farming and cloth exports. The magnificent Church of St. John the Baptist, a famous wool church, bears witness to its prosperity.

Northleach

“Merchants and Markets”

Once a major wool market town, Northleach prospered from the 14th to 16th centuries. Its Church of St. Peter and St. Paul stands as a perfect example of a “wool church,” funded by wealthy wool merchants who exported fine Cotswold fleece across Europe.

Bibury

“Where Weavers Worked”

Bibury was home to 14th-century weavers working in the stone cottages of Arlington Row. Wool from nearby farms was spun and woven here, then sent to mills along the Coln Valley.

Fairford

“Glass and Glory”

Fairford’s Church of St. Mary is one of England’s most beautiful wool churches, famed for its complete set of medieval stained glass. The wealth of the local wool trade made such artistry possible.

Cirencester

“Capital of the Wool Region”

The heart of the region’s wool trade, Cirencester held fairs and wool staples where fleece was graded and exported. Merchants from across Europe once came here to buy the finest English wool.

Painswick

“Queen of the Cotswolds”

Prosperous from wool and cloth production, Painswick showcases weavers’ cottages clustered around the Church of St. Mary. Its fine architecture reflects centuries of textile craftsmanship.

Tetbury

“A Market Since the Middle Ages”

Tetbury’s wool markets have run since medieval times. Its elegant Market House (1655) still stands in the town centre, once filled with traders buying and selling fleece from local flocks.

Map of a route through Cotswolds towns and villages in Gloucestershire, England, with numbered waypoints on a beige background

Follow the Fleece!

Explore Our Cotswold Wool Trail

Trace the path of the medieval wool merchants, stopping in towns and villages that once made England famous for its golden fleece.

In each town, look out for Cotswold Wool Trader products inspired by this ancient trade.

Together, these stops form our Cotswold Wool Trail, celebrating the past, supporting today’s farmers, and sharing the beauty of British wool with visitors from around the world.

Chipping Campden → Stow‑on‑the‑Wold

  • Depart Chipping Campden via the B4081 heading south/west.
  • Join the A429 (Fosse Way) heading south.
  • Continue until the junction with the A424 and turn onto A424 into Stow-on-the-Wold.

Estimated distance: ~10–11 miles, ~13 minutes.

Stow-on-the-Wold → Burford

  • From Stow-on-the-Wold leave on the A424 heading south-east.
  • Continue until you meet the A40/A424 junction near Burford; follow signage into the town centre.

Estimated distance: ~10 miles, ~13 minutes.

Burford → Northleach

  • Exit Burford onto the A40 heading west.
  • At the appropriate junction leave the A40 and join A429 (or B4425 depending on specific link) heading north-west into Northleach.

Estimated distance: ~9 miles.

Northleach → Bibury

  • Depart Northleach heading south via the B4425 (or connecting rural roads) toward Bibury.
  • Enter Bibury from the north, proceed into village centre/Arlington Row area.

Estimated distance: ~6 miles.

Bibury → Fairford

  • Leave Bibury heading east-south-east via the B4425.
  • Continue until you reach Fairford, typically approaching from the west side of the village.

Estimated distance: ~6 miles.

Fairford → Cirencester

  • From Fairford join the A417 west (or via connecting roads) toward Cirencester.
  • Follow signage into Cirencester town centre.

Estimated distance: ~9–10 miles.

Cirencester → Painswick

  • Exit Cirencester via the A417 or A46 (depending on routing) heading south-west toward Painswick.
  • Once near Painswick, take local roads into the village centre.

Estimated distance: ~16 miles.

Painswick → Tetbury

  • Leave Painswick heading south or south-east using the A46 initially then switching to the A4135/A433 (or similar connectors) toward Tetbury.
  • Enter Tetbury via its market town high street.

Estimated distance: ~14 miles.

Discover Our Products

Group of sheep standing in a grassy field with trees in the background

Meet the Flock!

Discover the conservation and established British breeds from Cotswold farms that we use to craft our products.

Explore British Wool
Sheep in a field with rolling green hills in the background

How Our Wool Is Made

Learn how to take raw fleeces from Cotswold farmed flocks and turn them into exceptional products with the last remaining traditional UK mills.

Learn more