When you think about British wool, it's easy to imagine lush green fields and flocks of fluffy white sheep grazing quietly. What’s less often talked about is just how fragile the status of some of our native breeds has become.
The UK is home to over 60 native sheep breeds, more than almost any other country in the world. Each one carries generations of history, regional character, and unique fleece qualities. But sadly, many of these breeds are now at risk.
The RBST 2025/26 Watchlist
Founded in 1973, the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) works to conserve and promote the UK’s native livestock and equine breeds, including sheep, cattle, pigs, poultry and more. Every year, the RBST publishes its Watchlist to track the health and survival of these breeds, using data that includes registration numbers and inbreeding levels.
The survival of these sheep isn’t just sentimental. It matters for sustainable farming, biodiversity, regenerative land management, food chain resilience and cultural heritage. Our native breeds are, quite literally, living history. Find out more about the history of Scottish wool and textiles here.
The 2025–26 Watchlist brought sobering news: two more iconic British sheep breeds have been added to the highest-priority category, bringing the total in the ‘priority’ category to six. A place on the red list means these breeds are not only rare but also at increased risk due to limited genetic diversity.
Read on to meet the six most at-risk native British sheep breeds and learn how makers like us can help.
Staple Length and Micron Range
Before we get stuck in, let’s talk about two common fleece terms:
- Staple length: the natural length of each wool fibre. Longer staples tend to produce stronger yarns that pill less.
- Micron count: the thickness of the fibre. Lower micron counts = softer wool. Higher micron counts tend to feel coarser but often make for hardier wool.
These two measurements can tell you a lot about how a yarn might feel, wear and what kind of projects it’s best suited to.
Leicester Longwool
Key Wool Facts:
- Staple length: 20–25cm
- Micron range: 35–38
- Tell me more: Hardy, but dislikes damp conditions
Large, tall and very woolly, Leicester Longwools are a striking sight. Their fleece, popular with hand spinners, shines with lustrous, curly locks.
This breed played a significant role in livestock history when Robert Bakewell introduced selective breeding techniques with the Leicester Longwool in the 1760s. Their influence can still be seen in many longwool breeds today.
Despite their importance, the Leicester Longwool is now at serious risk, and with it, a vital piece of British farming history.
Lincoln Longwool
Key Wool Facts:
- Staple length: 15–30cm
- Micron range: 35–38
- Tell me more: Calm and docile; large sheep with surprisingly small lambs
Majestic and gentle, Lincoln Longwools are the UK’s largest native sheep breed. With long, heavy, lustrous fleece and a woolly forelock tumbling over their eyes, they’re wonderfully distinctive.
First developed in the 13th century and refined in the 1700s, the Lincoln Longwool was once one of the stars of the historic textile industry. Though still valued today for durable wool and good meat, the rise of newer alternatives has edged this historic breed toward rarity.
Manx Loaghtan
Key Wool Facts:
- Staple length: 6–13cm
- Micron range: 30–31.5
- Tell me more: Hardy, distinctive and deeply historic; naturally coloured fleece
Small, agile and a beautiful natural brown, Manx Loaghtans are a true marvel. Look closely and you’ll often see four or even six proud horns, a throwback to their ancient lineage.
These sheep have grazed the Isle of Man’s rugged landscape for over a thousand years, perhaps since the 11th century. Their lineage links them to other primitive breeds like the Soay and Shetland. Manx Loaghtan fleece is soft, naturally coloured, and highly prized by spinners and knitters alike.
Did you know that loaghtan comes from the Manx word for tawny or soft brown?
North Ronaldsay
Key Wool Facts:
- Staple length: 4–8cm
- Micron range: 32–35
- Tell me more: Hardy seaweed grazers; some naturally roo (shed their fleece)
Small, tough and full of character, North Ronaldsay sheep are living relics. Dating back to at least the 9th century, they’re thought to be the oldest native sheep breed still present in the UK.
They’re named after the remote island of North Ronaldsay, part of Orkney off Scotland’s north coast. Best known for their seaweed diet, North Ronaldsay have evolved a unique metabolism to match. Their soft but strong fleece reflects their rugged island lifestyle.
Whitefaced Woodland
Key Wool Facts:
- Staple length: 10–15cm
- Micron range: 32–33
- Tell me more: Hardy hill breed; ideal for conservation grazing
A striking sight in the hills, Whitefaced Woodlands are large, powerful sheep with spiralled horns and a bright white face. Built for survival, they can thrive in harsh conditions where many breeds would struggle.
Once known as Penistone sheep, after the Yorkshire town where they were traded, their roots lie deep in the Pennines. The medium fleece of a Whitefaced Woodland produces a robust, characterful yarn that’s perfect for long-lasting knitwear.
Welsh Mountain Pedigree
Key Wool Facts:
- Staple length: 5–15cm
- Micron range: 35+
- Tell me more: Resilient sheep, suited to tough hill country
With their white faces, strong frames and hardy temperaments, Welsh Mountain Pedigree sheep have long been a familiar sight in rural Wales. Traditionally, their wool was used to make iconic Welsh blankets and tweeds as it is warm, durable and deeply tied to the region’s heritage.
Today, the Pedigree Welsh Mountain, a tough hill breed, still holds its place in the landscape but it needs our support to remain there.
How Can we Help?
As knitters and crocheters, weavers and makers, we can make a difference. Every skein we choose, every conversation we start and every slow project we stitch all matters.
With some of the UK’s oldest native breeds now at serious risk, it feels more important than ever to make a statement through the yarns we choose to use. Find out more about what makes 100% wool so wonderful here.
Here are a few simple yet powerful ways we can help support rare British sheep breeds and ensure they remain part of our woolly world for generations to come:
- Look out for British breed wool
- Support smallholders and farmers who keep rare flocks
- Ask your favourite yarn company about breed-specific options
- Talk about British wool and our native breeds — raise awareness in your crafting circles
- Choose slow making over fast fashion