At the outset, 50 sheepwashes were known in County Sites and Monuments records mainly in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. The Worcestershire County Archaeological Service researched a map based survey and identified 132 possible sites. Local groups were then invited to become volunteer field surveyors to do a rapid investigation, written and photographic record of each site.

People from several groups including Bledington Local History Society, Chipping Camden History Society, Northleach Local History Society, History of Tetbury Society, South Worcestershire Archaeology Group and Wychwood Local History Society joined the Cotswold Voluntary Warden Service (see photos adjacent) and others in accomplishing the task. Oral history also provided much useful information. The survey has compiled the first comprehensive account of sheepwashes in the Cotswold AONB from Bath in North-East Somerset up to Chipping Camden in Worcestershire taking in parts of South Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire along the way.

Derek Hunt from the Worcestershire County Archaeological Service arranged training and has said since that it was a first for them to work with voluntary groups in this way, they have made ‘a major contribution’ and he is not aware of another project like it