Fowler & Sons are master thatchers in Gloucestershire and other surrounding cities.
Fowler & Sons are master thatchers working across Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. We re-thatch, repair and ridge thatched roofs on everything from honey-stone Cotswold cottages to Grade I and Grade II listed properties – using long straw, combed wheat reed and water reed sourced for quality and longevity. Whether you’ve inherited a thatch that needs urgent attention or you’re planning a full re-thatch on a listed building, we’d be glad to take a look.
Or call us on 07770 593 681
Why a Cotswold thatched roof deserves a specialist
Gloucestershire has one of the highest concentrations of thatched and listed properties in England. From the Cotswold AONB villages around Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water, to the older cottages on the edges of Cheltenham and Cirencester, the county’s thatched roofs are part of what gives the Cotswolds its character. They also need looking after by people who understand them.
A Cotswold thatch is rarely a straightforward job. Many of the properties we work on are listed, which means any work has to be sympathetic to the building’s history and approved by the local conservation officer. Roof shapes are often complex – dormers, hips, valleys, eyebrow windows – and the ridge patterns are sometimes specific to a particular village or even a particular builder. Get any of that wrong and you’ve damaged a piece of local heritage.
That’s why we work the way we do. Every project starts with a free survey. We talk through your options, the materials that suit your roof, and what the work will actually involve – then we put it in writing with no obligation.
Our thatching services in Gloucestershire
Full re-thatching
A complete re-thatch is the largest piece of work most thatched homes will go through, and typically only needs doing every 25–50 years depending on material and exposure. We strip back to the timbers, check and treat any rotten battens or rafters, then re-thatch in long straw, combed wheat reed or water reed depending on what your property needs and what the planning authority will allow.
Re-ridging
The ridge takes the brunt of the weather and usually needs replacing every 10–15 years — long before the rest of the roof. We offer butts-up and wrap-over ridging, with block or flush finishes, and pattern work in hazel or steel. If you’ve noticed the wire netting lifting, the ridge looking tired, or moss starting to take hold along the apex, it’s likely time.
Thatch repairs and patching
Storm damage, animal damage, leaks around chimneys or dormers, sagging where fixings have failed — we handle the lot. We can usually get to emergency repairs across Gloucestershire quickly, and we’ll always tell you honestly whether a patch will buy you a few more years or whether the roof is actually due a full re-thatch.
Thatched roof surveys
If you’re buying a thatched property, insuring one, or planning future work, an independent thatch survey is invaluable. We provide written reports for prospective buyers, mortgage lenders and insurers, covering the condition of the thatch, the ridge, the underlying timbers, fire-safety considerations and a realistic estimate of how long the roof has left.
Listed-building thatching
A significant share of our Gloucestershire work is on listed buildings, particularly across the Cotswolds. We’re used to working with conservation officers, matching historic ridge patterns, sourcing materials that satisfy listed-building consent, and documenting the work for the property’s records. If your home is listed, mention it on the first call so we can plan the survey accordingly.
Insurance work
Where damage is covered by your insurer, we can liaise with loss adjusters, prepare detailed scopes of work and provide the supporting photography and reports they’ll typically ask for. We’ve handled storm-damage and fire-damage claims on thatched properties across Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties.
Thatching materials we use
Long straw
The traditional material across much of southern and central England, including parts of Gloucestershire. Long straw has a softer, more rounded finish with the visible ear-end of the wheat showing through. Typical lifespan is 15-25 years. Best for properties where long straw was the original material – listed buildings will often require a like-for-like replacement.
Combed wheat reed
Sometimes called Devon reed, combed wheat is the most common modern thatching material in this part of the country. The straw is mechanically combed so only the stem shows, giving a neater, more uniform finish than long straw while still feeling traditional. Typical lifespan 25-35 years. Suits the majority of Cotswold properties beautifully.
Water reed
The hardest-wearing of the three, with a typical lifespan of 30-50 years (sometimes much longer on a well-pitched, well-maintained roof). Water reed gives a sharper, more angular finish than straw – not always appropriate on softer Cotswold cottages, but excellent for newer thatched builds, barns and properties where longevity is the priority. The premium upfront cost is offset by the much longer interval between re-thatches.
Where we work in Gloucestershire
We cover the whole of Gloucestershire and have ongoing projects throughout the Cotswolds. The towns and villages below give a sense of where most of our recent thatching work has been concentrated – if your village isn’t listed, please call anyway, we almost certainly cover it.
Cotswolds (north and east)
Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Campden, Bourton-on-the-Hill, Broadway (Worcs border), Blockley, Snowshill.
Cotswolds (central and south)
Cirencester, Lechlade, Fairford, Bibury, Northleach, Burford (Oxon border), Stratton, Coln St Aldwyns.
Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the Severn Vale
Cheltenham, Bishops Cleeve, Winchcombe, Cleeve Hill, Tewkesbury, Stoke Orchard, Dowdeswell.
Stroud, Painswick and the south
Stroud, Painswick, Bisley, Minchinhampton, Nailsworth, Wotton-under-Edge.
Gloucester and surrounding villages
Gloucester, Hartpury, Maisemore, Highnam, Brockworth.
What to expect when you work with us
Most homeowners only re-thatch once or twice in the time they own a property, so the process can feel unfamiliar. Here’s how a typical Gloucestershire project runs.
Frequently asked questions about roof thatching in Gloucestershire
How much does a thatched roof cost in Gloucestershire?
Thatching is priced per “square” (a 3m x 3m, or 9m², area of roof). Our rates typically run £1,500-£3,000 per square. For a full re-thatch on an average property that usually means £15,000-£30,000, with larger or more complex Cotswold cottages above that. Ridge replacement on its own is typically £5,000-£8,000. Every quote depends on material, roof shape, scaffolding, the condition of the timbers, and any listed-building requirements – we go through all of it during the free survey.
How long does a thatched roof last?
It depends on the material. Long straw typically lasts 15-25 years, combed wheat reed 25-35, and water reed 30-50 years – sometimes much longer. The ridge sits on top of all this and needs replacing every 10-15 years regardless of the main coat. Lifespan is also affected by roof pitch, exposure, surrounding trees and how well the roof has been maintained.
Can you thatch a listed building in Gloucestershire?
Yes – a significant proportion of the work we do across Gloucestershire is on listed buildings, particularly in the Cotswolds. We’re used to working with local conservation officers, matching historic ridge patterns, and sourcing materials that satisfy listed-building consent. If your property is listed, please mention it on the first call so we can plan the survey and paperwork properly.
What's the difference between long straw, combed wheat and water reed?
Long straw has a softer, rounder look with the wheat ears showing – traditional and best for properties where long straw was the original material. Combed wheat reed is the most common modern material in this region: neater finish, longer lifespan, and suited to most Cotswold cottages. Water reed is the most durable of the three, with a sharper finish and a much longer lifespan, best on newer thatched builds, barns, and properties where longevity is the priority.
How often does the ridge need replacing?
Every 10-15 years on most thatched roofs. The ridge takes the brunt of the weather and wears out long before the main coat. Signs you may be due: the wire netting lifting from the thatch, moss growing along the apex, visible thinning, or daylight visible from the loft along the ridge line. We can do a free assessment to confirm.
Do you do emergency thatch repairs?
Yes. Storm damage, leaks around chimneys, animal damage, fallen branches – we’ll get out to you across Gloucestershire as quickly as we can and either patch the immediate problem or, where the roof is at end-of-life, advise honestly that it’s time to plan a re-thatch instead of throwing good money after bad.
How do I get a quote, and is the survey free?
All our surveys and quotes are free and no-obligation. Call 07770 593 681 or use the contact form below. We’ll arrange a visit, look at the roof properly, and put a written quote in your hands within about a week. We don’t pressure-sell – it’s a big decision and you should take the time to compare.
Which areas of Gloucestershire do you cover?
All of Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties – Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. Within Gloucestershire we work regularly across Cheltenham, Cirencester, Tewkesbury, Stroud, Gloucester and the Cotswold villages including Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Campden and the surrounding area. If your village isn’t named, please call anyway – we almost certainly cover it.
Get a free quote from Gloucestershire’s master thatchers
Whether your roof needs a full re-thatch, a new ridge, an emergency repair or just an honest second opinion, we’d be glad to come and take a look. Surveys and quotes are free across Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties – with no pressure and no obligation.
