Hill Radnor sheep, also known simply as Radnor sheep, are a breed that originated in central Wales during the early 1900s. The curly horned rams and polled ewes still roam the same rolling hills of Wales, although today they are considered an at risk breed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) in the U.K.

Bred specifically for the hills of the historic counties of Radnorshire, Brecknockshire, and Monmouthshire, the first recorded mention of Hill Radnor sheep as a breed was in 1911. However, sheep have lived in these hills alongside their shepherds since at least the Bronze Age, and possibly earlier than that. Although these areas are sparsely populated today, there is a long, long history of human habitation. In Powys, the modern county that encompasses the historic counties of Radnorshire and Brecknockshire, there are over 380 prehistoric monuments and sites, and another 250 additional monuments and historic sites from Roman times to the modern day.

The ancestors of Hill Radnor sheep had no established breed name or breeders for millennia. Most historians refer to the traditional sheep of central Wales as an old tan-faced breed of sheep that was essentially a landrace breed – a classification indicating that the environment the sheep lived in shaped and adapted the breed for that particular Welsh landscape. Some historians have suggested that the closest named breed relatives to Hill Radnor sheep may be the Welsh Mountain sheep and Black Welsh Mountain sheep, with some suggesting that the Hill Radnor may even be descendants of these breeds. Although a little larger and bigger boned than Welsh Mountain sheep, there are a number of similarities. However, their tan faces are almost certainly inherited directly from their tan-faced Welsh ancestors.

Historically raised more for meat than for wool, Hill Radnor sheep are a hardy breed that can live in the hills on what might otherwise be considered poor forage. They put up with quite a bit of rain and cold as well, as this part of Wales typically receives more precipitation and cold weather than elsewhere in the country. However, this hardy breed is still considered to be at risk. As with many sheep breeds on the English/Wales border, Hill Radnor were hit particularly hard by the U.K.’s cull of livestock affected by Foot and Mouth disease in 2001. They have been making a slow comeback, though, as RBST, the Hill Radnor Flock Book Society (est. 1949), and other Welsh organizations continue to encourage the use and breeding of this endangered Welsh sheep breed. With help from dedicated breeders and colleges such as Coleg Cambria, it is hoped that this breed will be around for a long time.

Hill Radnor wool is having a moment right now, as enthusiastic spinners, felters and weavers do their part to help the breed become re-established. A white medium to medium-coarse wool at 31-33 microns, it is best used for blankets, rugs, and outerwear. It has a staple length of around 3-5 inches, and lends itself quite well to being blended with Bluefaced Leicester, Polwarth, or other medium fine wools to create a durable yarn that is more comfortable to wear against the skin.

Ready to try out some Hill Radnor for your next project? We almost always have some in stock! Visit the fiber section of our shop to purchase this and other single-breed fibers.