Traditional thatched cottages could disappear from the landscape

Traditional thatched cottages could disappear from the landscape in as little as two decades – as the right type of straw is in desperately short supply.

Historic England warned that two poor harvests and a dearth of farms growing the requisite long stemmed winter wheat will mean the roofing can no longer be replaced. 

Traditionalist master thatchers are working with the quango to find a solution.

High rents were also taking their toll on thatchers, who can’t afford to pay for business premises.

Thatching straw is longer than straw from modern wheat varieties and yields less grain, although can command higher prices.