Top 10 Best Textile Manufacturers in Cotswold

A Region Built on Wool

Few places in the world are as closely tied to textiles as the Cotswolds. During the Middle Ages, Cotswold sheep with their long, lustrous fleece produced some of the most valued wool in Europe. Merchants grew rich, and that wealth paid for the grand wool churches of Northleach, Chipping Campden, Cirencester and Fairford. Later, the fast-flowing streams of the Stroud valleys powered woollen mills that made fine broadcloth for uniforms, sports and fashion.

Today the Cotswold textile sector is smaller but highly specialised. It mixes heritage weaving, technical textiles, sustainable fashion and artisan craft. The manufacturers below represent the best of that tradition and its modern development.

1. Cotswold Woollen Weavers

Based in a historic stone mill at Filkins near Lechlade, Cotswold Woollen Weavers is one of the region's best-loved textile businesses. It weaves woollen cloth, throws and blankets on traditional looms and keeps the area's wool heritage alive. Visitors can watch the weaving process and browse a wide range of woollen goods, making it both a working manufacturer and a cultural landmark.

2. Milliken Woollen Speciality Products

Operating from Lodgemore Mills in the Stroud valley, Milliken produces some of the most technically demanding woollen cloths in the world, including world-famous snooker and billiard cloth and high-quality uniform fabrics. The site carries centuries of Gloucestershire cloth-making expertise forward with modern quality control and precision finishing.

3. Cotswold Sheep Society Members and Fleece Producers

Although not a single manufacturer, the network of breeders and small-scale fleece processors connected with the Cotswold Sheep Society plays a vital role in keeping the region's signature wool in production. Their fleece supplies artisan spinners, felters and small-batch weavers who prize the breed's heritage and distinctive lustre.

4. Lodgemore Textile Studios

The mill buildings of the Stroud valleys now house a cluster of independent textile studios producing hand-woven scarves, upholstery fabrics and bespoke interior textiles. These makers combine traditional dobby and Jacquard weaving with contemporary design, supplying boutique interior designers across the Cotswolds and London.

5. Stroud Valley Felt and Fibre Makers

The area is home to several felt makers and fibre artists who produce wet-felted and needle-felted textiles for fashion, homeware and art installations. Working mostly with British wool, these makers appeal to customers who want sustainable, locally sourced materials with a clear connection to the landscape.

6. Laura Ashley Heritage Textiles

The Laura Ashley name, long associated with English country style, has strong links to Cotswold interiors. Its floral prints, upholstery fabrics and wallpapers are found in countless Cotswold cottages and boutique hotels. The brand's design heritage remains a touchstone for the region's interior aesthetic.

7. Bespoke Tweed Weavers of the Cotswolds

A handful of specialist weavers produce estate tweeds for Cotswold country estates, shooting syndicates and tailors. Each estate tweed has its own colours and pattern, often inspired by the local landscape of stone, bracken and wold. These small-batch makers offer a level of personalisation mass producers cannot match.

8. Abraham Moon and Sons

Although based in Yorkshire, Abraham Moon is one of Britain's last vertically integrated woollen mills and supplies many Cotswold retailers, upholsterers and fashion boutiques. Its fabrics are a staple in country clothing stores throughout the region, and its heritage and quality make it a key partner for Cotswold businesses.

9. Hand-Weaving and Textile Craft Studios in Chipping Campden

Chipping Campden has a strong Arts and Crafts heritage dating back to the Guild of Handicraft in the early twentieth century. Textile artists working in the town and nearby villages continue that spirit, producing hand-woven, hand-printed and embroidered pieces that sell to collectors and design-conscious buyers.

10. Sustainable Fashion Manufacturers in Gloucestershire

A new generation of sustainable clothing makers has emerged across Gloucestershire, producing organic cotton, recycled-fibre and British wool garments in small factories and studios. These businesses focus on transparency, low-waste production and fair wages, which matches growing consumer demand for ethical fashion.

Industry Trends in Cotswold Textiles

The local textile sector is benefiting from a renewed interest in provenance and sustainability. Consumers increasingly want to know where their fabrics come from, and Cotswold wool tells a compelling story. Interior designers working on high-end Cotswold properties often specify local or British-made textiles, which supports small mills and studios.

Technical textiles also offer an opportunity. Expertise in precision woollen cloth, as seen in the Stroud valleys, transfers well to performance fabrics for sport, uniforms and industrial use. At the same time, craft tourism is growing as visitors seek hands-on experiences such as weaving workshops and mill tours.

Choosing a Textile Manufacturer

When sourcing from Cotswold textile manufacturers, think about minimum order quantities, lead times and whether bespoke designs are possible. Ask about fibre sourcing, dyeing processes and certifications if sustainability matters to your brand. Smaller studios may be slower to deliver but offer exceptional craftsmanship and uniqueness.

Conclusion

The Cotswolds' wool heritage continues through a lively mix of historic mills, technical cloth makers and independent studios. Whether you need luxury upholstery fabric, estate tweed, technical woollen cloth or hand-woven homeware, the manufacturers above combine centuries of tradition with modern skill and a shared respect for quality and sustainability.