MEET THE SHEEP
At the heart of Beatrice Bayliss are the Cotswold sheep, often known as the “Cotswold Lions” whose distinctive golden fleece has shaped both the landscape and heritage of the region for centuries.
Our commitment to provenance begins here, among the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, where pedigree flocks graze and a rare British breed continues its quiet legacy. Every garment we create is rooted in this landscape and the remarkable fibre these sheep produce.
The Cotswold Breed
The Cotswold sheep is one of Britain’s oldest native long-wool breeds, with origins in the southern Midlands of England that trace back hundreds of years, possibly even to Roman times.
During the Middle Ages, their lustrous, honey-toned fleece built the wealth of the Cotswolds wool trade. Revered across Europe, they became known as the “Cotswold Lions” for their size, strength and distinctive forelock of wool that frames the face.
Today, they remain a rare and treasured breed, celebrated for both their presence and their exceptional fleece.
Large and characterful, Cotswold sheep produce a long-stapled wool with natural sheen, strength and a soft golden hue. When carefully spun in the UK, the fibre creates a yarn with structure, durability and quiet lustre, a distinctive handle that sets it apart from finer commercial wools.
Gentle in temperament and deeply connected to the land they graze, they represent the enduring relationship between British farming and craftsmanship.
Our Partner Farms
We work directly with trusted farmers across Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire who rear pedigree Cotswold sheep with care and integrity.
Our wool is sourced from:
Angela’s Farm — Oxfordshire
Richard’s Farm — Gloucestershire
Steve’s Farm — Gloucestershire
Patricia’s Farm — Oxfordshire
These partnerships ensure full traceability from field to finished garment, supporting rural livelihoods while preserving an important native breed.
Why Cotswold Wool Matters to Us
For our founder Emily, choosing Cotswold wool was both a personal and principled decision. Growing up within a farming family in the Cotswolds, her connection to the land runs deep and incorporating this remarkable fibre into the brand is a tribute to that heritage.
We source pedigree fleece in partnership with local farmers and work closely with British mills to spin and prepare the yarn. Every stage of production remains within the UK, honouring traditional expertise while reducing environmental impact.
Cotswold wool represents everything Beatrice Bayliss stands for:
• British provenance
• Traceable supply chains
• Small-batch, considered production
• Natural, enduring luxury
This is more than fibre. It is landscape, lineage and legacy — reimagined for a modern wardrobe.