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Northleach was granted a market charter in AD1227 (Route 18)

During the late Dark and early Middle Ages the region became wealthy from sheep-farming, particularly after fuller’s earth – a local type of clay rich in silica – was discovered to be excellent for removing grease from raw fleece. The wool merchants spent some of their considerable wealth on restoring or rebuilding the market towns and churches of the region.

In the 18th and 19th centuries transport routes by canal and railway grew rapidly across the region, but little new industry was attracted as the area had no nearby source of coal for power. Nowadays the major industries are tourism and agriculture.

Art, culture and local festivities

One of the organisers of the Tetbury Woolsack Races lifts the 60lb woolsack onto his upper back – the position most contestants use to run with it

With the home of Shakespeare to the north and the Georgian grandeur of Bath to the south, it should come as no surprise that the Cotswolds are home to a thriving cultural scene. Tourist information centres and online websites (see Appendix E) are good sources of information for current events. Local magazines such as Cotswold Life also highlight upcoming events.