Romilly Swann of The Outside Dyers

Naturally dyed goods, historically authentic colours and research into past and future use of natural dyes.

We are a small group of friends and family who have combined our varied skills to produce vibrantly coloured naturally dyed goods. Our dye house and workshop is based next to the Thames at Hardwick Estate in Oxfordshire. We also have a mobile demonstration dye house and shop that travels to events across the country.

We are an environmentally minded organisation that wishes to promote the use of natural dyes. We aim to tread lightly on the earth and are always seeking ways to make our small scale business as ethical and responsible as possible. We grow and gather most of our dye stuffs from our garden, allotments and surrounding countryside. Dye stuffs from elsewhere are sourced as responsibly as possible. We use water from our well for dyeing and rinsing which is recycled into withy beds. We have a small flock of Shetland and Boreray sheep which are great fun and provide fleece for our range of felting wool and homespun yarn.