The Wool Story
of Moretonhampstead
For centuries, wool shaped the economy and character of Moretonhampstead. From around 1550, the town became part of a thriving woollen industry across Dartmoor and Devon. Wool from sheep grazing on the moor was processed by local workers and traded across the region. At its height between 1550 and 1780, the industry supported many families in and around the town, with farmers, spinners, combers and weavers all playing a vital role.
By the early nineteenth century the industry was in decline. Large mills in northern England, particularly in Yorkshire, were powered by coal and new machinery, making production faster and cheaper. As the trade moved away, many local businesses collapsed and some workers were forced into the workhouse.
Yet the story of wool remains woven into the history of Moretonhampstead.
Explore the story here:
This information has been compiled in collaboration with the Moretonhampstead History Society. We are very grateful to the History Society for generously sharing their knowledge, research and images to help bring the story of Moretonhampstead’s wool heritage to life. We are also grateful to receive funding to support our work from the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, delivered by the Dartmoor National Park Authority.
