Known as the blanket lady, Athene English has become an authority on old welsh textiles. Through her own private collection of antique textiles and her passion for the subject Athene has collected an impressive selection of old welsh textiles for sale. With over 500 welsh blankets to choose from, the shop sells early narrow loom examples, antique tapestries, Welsh plaid blankets, vintage fringed throws and old nursing shawls. 

These are old textiles and we carefully check the condition of each blanket before offering it for sale. The blankets are washed in a natural wool wash and treated with our own anti moth and wool tonic, then restored if necessary, and only then offered for sale

For centuries weaving has carried on in Wales and relied on an economy based on sheep farming. Many of the mills were small, single-family operations which used wool drawn from the immediate locality . The mills operated a sort of barter system with the local sheep farmers, in exchange for fleeces, the mill owners would trade flannel, blankets and knitting yarn. With the industrial revolution certain mills became mechanised in the 19th century, eventually employing up to 100 people, whilst others remained cottage industries. Most were self sufficient in that they carded, dyed, spun, wove and finished all their own products

The Great English Outdoors is committed to promoting the work of the Welsh woollen industry. For over a decade we have sourced and stocked blankets and accessories made in the few remaining Welsh woollen mills