Wool Starts Here
Every jumper, carpet, throw, or rug made from British wool begins its journey in one place: on the farm. Long before the finished product is crafted, the story of wool starts with the dedication of our sheep farmers and the centuries-old traditions of working with nature’s most versatile fibre.
From Field to Fleece
Across the UK’s rolling hills, mountains, and lowlands, farmers care for their flocks all year round. Each breed, from hardy hill sheep to lowland varieties, produces wool with unique qualities. Whether it’s resilient and coarse for durable carpets, or fine and soft for luxurious clothing.
As the seasons turn, shearing marks the start of the wool production process. Far from being just a practical task, it’s an important part of the sheep’s welfare. Shearing keeps sheep cool in summer, healthy, and comfortable. Providing the raw material for an industry that supports over 30,000 British sheep farmers and has a strong heritage within the UK.
Skilled Hands at Work
Once the fleece is off the sheep, the fleece starts its next chapter. Wool handling is a skill in itself. Fleeces are rolled carefully to protect the structure and keep them clean. Every step at this stage ensures the fibre’s quality is preserved for the next part of the journey.
At our grading depots, experienced graders assess each fleece by hand. This is no quick process, it takes years to master the ability. Identifying fibre length, strength, fineness, colour, and style. Wool is separated into grades so that manufacturers can buy exactly what they need for their products, whether that’s robust fibre for upholstery or soft fibre for high-end apparel.
Sold on Behalf of Farmers
Once graded, the wool is sold on behalf of our members at auction to wool merchants, manufacturers, and brands around the UK and the world. This unique cooperative system means that every farmer. Whether they have a small flock or thousands of sheep. Has access to the same marketplace, giving their wool a route to the best possible price.
From there, the wool’s next chapter begins. Scoured, spun, woven, knitted, or felted into beautiful, sustainable products that can last a lifetime.
The Journey Begins with British wool
Every product you see carrying the Shepherd’s Crook symbol can be traced back to this process. From the farm gate to the grading table, and onwards to the marketplace. Choosing British wool supports British farmers, maintains rural communities, and keeps alive the skills that make our wool industry most unique in the world.
Because wool doesn’t just start in the factory. It starts here, in the fields, on the hillsides, and in the hands of those who have worked with it for generations.