The Cotswold Lion is a distinctive breed of sheep with long, curly fleeces that can grow to 15 inches. In the Middle Ages, their high-quality wool was so valuable it was known as the 'Golden Fleece' and was exported across Europe. The breed nearly died out in the 20th century but has been revived by dedicated farmers. You may still spot these large, gentle sheep with their characteristic fringes in fields along the Cotswold Way. The breed's historical importance is reflected in the Lord Chancellor's Woolsack — the large wool-stuffed seat in the House of Lords, a tradition dating back to the 14th century when England's wealth depended on the wool trade.
“The breed nearly died out in the 20th century but has been revived by dedicated farmers.”
