Where do you buy wool?

[StuckInTheFensAwayFromHome]

I've just started crochet and want to get into bigger projects than the granny squares I've done so far.
But where do I buy wool apart from online?
I want to be able to touch and feel before buying as well as seeing the colour properly...
But I don't come across wool shops and not sure where wool might be lurking on the high street...
A google search for peterborough just keeps bringing up a sewing and quilting shop???
Is everyone buying online? How did you find your wool?
Thx

I'm a writer/knitwear designer so I get given some of it. I buy a lot too.

I live near York which has a plethora of good yarn shops. Here are some online suppliers of great yarn.

www.deramores.com/rowan-knitting-yarn?gclid=COyt7aOI660CFYl9fAodGn7B5Q

www.purlescence.co.uk/

www.yarnbox.co.uk/

www.knitrowan.com/

www.fyberspates.co.uk/

Or at shows like the Harrogate Knitting and Stitching show, and Woolfest which happens every June up in Cumbria.

John Lewis in Peterborough has a wool department. If you drive there are two wool shops in Kettering where the staff are really helpful.

Thanks nineflowers I will probably brave online buying once I am more familiar with the different types of wool so I can make good purchases (even if you can return I hate doing it!)

angelpantser - thanks so much I never thought you would find that in john lewis - am off for lunch now and will have a good browse! I'm on here during the week for work so probably couldn't get to Kettering on my lunch break. Funny that Peterborough which I think is a decent size has none, but Kettering has 2!

if you think about it the fact there is a John Lewis selling wool in Peterborough explains why there might not be any other shops selling wool.....

Sewing shop may have yarn as well - give them a ring and ask. John Lewis in Cambridge stocks yarn (but not as much as it used to, I'm sure), I use Sew Creative on King's Street.

Just back and am very happy! Bought some lovely red wool in the sale, and I think it will be a regular lunchtime stop now!

Thanks everyone - yet again MN triumphs!

I always buy from the clearance section of kemps Woolshop.

I don't know where you are/were in the Fens (you have my deepest, deepest sympathy) but there is a wool shop in Wisbech that's straight out of the 1950s, just off the Market Square.

Buying online I use www.thelittleknittingcompany.co.uk and www.minervacraftsandfabrics.co.uk The little knitting company have some fabulous linen yarns and the prices are very reasonable.