Sheep of the month

Cotswolds, the breed with dreadlocks

Prized by knitters, the fleece from Cotswold sheep produces long fibres with a lustrous sheen – so it’s not surprising that the breed was historically called the Cotswold Lion.

Introduced to the area by the Romans, their fine wool was known as the ‘golden fleece’, ideal for spinning and weaving into cloth. A thriving textile industry was the making of many towns in the region, and flocks were large in number. Today though, the Cotswold is classified as ‘at risk’ on the Rare Breed Survival Trust Watch List.

The sheep are renowned for their peaceful temperament, long legs and curly fleece that hangs in long white tendrils. Discover more about the wonderful world of British sheep and wool at www.britishwool.org.uk.