Top 51 Southwestern English Cheeses

This is not your regular Cheddar made across the world, but a unique one because of its maturity, distinctive full flavor, the source of milk and special methods of handmade production within the four Counties of Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. It needs to mature for at least 9 months before it is sold, either in cylindrical shape or in blocks of variable sizes. Its flavor can be described as full, sharp and nutty, and it is firm and creamy yellow on the inside, with a crumbly texture. West Country Farmhouse Cheddar is best paired with grapes, pears, apples, figs, celery or ripe tomatoes.Expand

This sharp cow's milk cheese is one of the most popular cheeses in the world today, and it was first produced in the village of Cheddar in Somerset county, England in the 12th century. Cheddar is a hard cheese made from pasteurized cow's milk, and it ranges from white to pale yellow in color. When young, its texture is smooth, and when it is left to mature, the texture becomes more crumbly and it gets a sharper flavor. Joseph Harding—a cheesemaker often referred to as the "father of Cheddar"—said that the authentic Somerset Cheddar should have a close texture, a full, fine flavor reminiscent of hazelnuts, and a melt-in-the-mouth quality. Although cheddar originated in England, the name cheddar can be used for cheese made anywhere because it is not protected, so one should be careful to avoid numerous low-quality, mass-produced "cheddar" found in many supermarkets nowadays, which is one of the main reasons for Cheddar's bad reputation for many people. This cheese is enjoyed throughout the world, but it is most popular in the United Kingdom and the United States - where it is usually colored with annatto seeds which give it an intense orange color. It is especially good when melted, and is perfect in dishes such as macaroni and cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, or tuna melts.Expand

Double Gloucester is an English cheese produced in Gloucestershire, hence the name. The cheese is made with full fat cow's milk using the cream from one night's milking and also the following day's milking – hence the word double in its name, but Double Gloucester is twice the height of Single Gloucester, so that might also be a reason for the word double in the name of this cheese. Its texture is smooth and buttery when young, but as it ages (for at least four months) the texture and the rind become very hard, which is the reason why Double Gloucester is used in the popular Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling event. The flavors of this cheese are nutty, creamy, citrusy, rich, and buttery. Double Gloucester is colored with annatto extract to give it a nice apricot color. It is recommended to serve it with nuts and fresh fruit such as apples and pears. Pair it with a glass of English pub ale.Expand

Applewood is an English cheese originating from Ilchester in Somerset, where it was first produced in 1965. Made from cow's milk, this cheddar cheese has a semi-hard, dense texture and a natural rind. It is also known as Applewood Smoked Cheddar – however, it is not smoked, but artificially flavored with smoke and dusted with paprika, giving it a golden-amber visual appearance on the exterior. Its flavor is spicy and smoky. It is recommended to grate Applewood over pasta and baked potatoes, but it can also be served with raisins and apples for those with a sweet tooth.Expand

Devon Blue is a semi-hard artisan cheese made from raw milk of Ayrshire cows. It is produced by Ben Harris and Robin Condgen of Ticklemore Cheese. In order for the blue mold to develop, Devon Blue needs to mature for 6 to 8 months. The cheese has a dense, crumbly, and firm texture; the aromas are earthy, while the flavor is spicy, smooth, and buttery. It is recommended to pair Devon Blue with a glass of cider.Expand

Stinking Bishop is a soft and pungent cheese produced by Charles Martell & Son since 1972 in Dymock, Gloucestershire. The cheese is made from the milk of the rare Gloucester cow breed, but it is sometimes combined with the milk of Friesian cattle. The rind is washed with perry (fermented pear juice of Stinking Bishop pears, hence the name of the cheese), which gives the cheese its pungent aroma and brown or pink color of the rind. Its texture is smooth and creamy, the aromas very stinky, while the flavors are strong and rich. The soft and creamy texture of Stinking Bishop makes it perfect for spreading on crackers and biscuits. It can also be served with cheese-friendly chutneys. It's recommended to pair it with ice wine and port. This cheese was additionally popularized by the 2005 Wallace & Gromit movie, called The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.Expand

Cornish Yarg is an English cheese hailing from Cornwall. This semi-hard cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk. It's wrapped in nettle leaves and matures for 5 weeks. The nettles give the cheese a latticed imprint, attract natural molds, and impart a mushroomy note to the cheese as it ages. Underneath the nettle-wrapped rind, the texture is creamy and crumbly. The aromas are grassy and mushroomy, while the flavors are lemony and mushroomy. The cheese was first produced on Bodmin Moor by Alan Gray, who produced Cornish Yarg according to a 17th-century recipe found in his attic. Nowadays, it's produced by Lynher Dairies.Expand

Somerset Brie is a soft British cheese hailing from Somerset. It comes in a cylindrical shape and has a smooth white natural rind. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk. Underneath the rind, the texture is smooth and creamy. The aromas are fresh, mushroomy, and grassy, while the flavors are generally mild. Somerset Brie is often used in sandwiches and salads, and it's recommended to serve it with cherries or apples. In 2002, it won many awards at the British Cheese Awards, including the gold medal in the category of Best Soft Cheese.Expand

Cornish Blue is an English blue cheese produced in Cornwall. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's designated to be eaten young. The texture is dense, moist, sticky, and buttery. The aromas are mild and sweet, while the flavors are creamy, sweet, and mild. Due to its mild flavors, the cheese is very versatile and can be used in cooking. It's recommended to sevre it on crusty bread with chutney on the side or crumble it over buttery new potatoes. Pair it with a glass of port. Cornish Blue has been voted Supreme Champion at the 2010 World Cheese Awards.Expand

Cotswold is a variation of Double Gloucester, originating from Gloucestershire County. The cheese is made with cow's milk, and it's enriched with onions and chives. The color of this cheese varies from golden yellow to orange, and its texture is firm, dense, and crumbly. Cotswold's flavor is sweet, buttery, and tangy, while onions and chives provide it with an extra layer of flavor. Cotswold is also known as pub cheese in England, so it is recommended to pair it with a cold beer on the side.Expand

Montgomery’s Cheese is a family-run artisan cheesemaker based in South Somerset, England, renowned for its traditional farmhouse Cheddar produced at the North Cadbury farm, where cheesemaking has been carried on for three generations. The cheese is handmade using raw cow’s milk from the family’s own herd, following time-honoured methods that include cloth binding and maturation on wooden shelves for a minimum of 12 months. This process results in a deep, rich and nutty flavour profile that has become widely recognised in the UK and beyond. Longer ageing, as in the Extra Mature versions, further enhances complexity, developing a firmer texture and introducing subtle spicy and savoury notes. Montgomery’s Cheddar is hard, dense and slightly crumbly, with layered aromas ranging from sweet, milky tones to pronounced nutty and grassy nuances, and occasional natural blue veining that adds further character. The Montgomery family has preserved this cheesemaking tradition since the early 20th century, remaining faithful to historic methods that allowed this distinctive style to survive even as much of the industry shifted toward industrial production.Expand

Lynher Dairies Cheese is a cheese producer known for manufacturing Cornish Yarg, a semi-hard cow's milk cheese wrapped in nettle leaves. The company also produces Kern, a hard cheese aged for 16 months and covered in a black wax coating. These cheeses are crafted using traditional methods and locally sourced ingredients.Expand

Paxton & Whitfield is one of Britain’s oldest and most respected cheesemongers, established in London in 1797 and renowned for its deep expertise in fine cheese selection and maturation. Over more than two centuries, the company has built a reputation for sourcing, aging and cutting cheeses with exceptional precision, serving both private clients and the hospitality sector. Its portfolio spans classic British cheeses such as Stilton, Cheddar and Red Leicester, alongside carefully chosen European cheeses including Comté, Roquefort and Gouda, each selected for balance, maturity and character. Paxton & Whitfield is distinguished by its emphasis on craftsmanship and sensory evaluation rather than volume, with a strong focus on texture, aroma and flavour development. Today, the brand remains a benchmark for quality in British cheese retail, combining historical authority with a consistently curated, contemporary offering.Expand

King Stone Dairy is located near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The dairy specializes in producing artisan cheeses using traditional methods. Their product line includes Rollright, a washed-rind cheese known for its soft texture and rich flavor. The dairy operates with a focus on sustainability and local sourcing.Expand

Park Farm is a family-run farm and artisan dairy located in the village of Kelston, near the city of Bath in Somerset, with a history that spans more than a century. The Padfield family has been involved in farming for generations, while modern cheesemaking began in the 1990s with the revival of an old local recipe for Bath Cheese. All cheeses are made exclusively from the farm’s own cow’s milk, ensuring full control over quality and a direct link between pasture, animals, and final product. Park Farm focuses on small-batch, hands-on production, creating well-known cheeses such as Bath Soft Cheese, Bath Blue, and Wyfe of Bath, all shaped by natural maturation rather than industrial processes. Sustainability, animal welfare, and respect for traditional methods are central to their approach. The farm is also open to visitors, with a shop, café, and educational experiences that connect people directly with the cheesemaking process. Today, Park Farm represents a strong example of modern British farmhouse cheesemaking rooted in place, tradition, and authenticity.Expand

Cornish Cheese, based in England, is known primarily for producing Cornish Blue, a type of cheese that has garnered recognition in various cheese awards. This company operates from a farm in Cornwall, where it crafts its cheeses using traditional methods. The Cornish Blue, which is a soft, creamy blue cheese, was specifically developed to be milder than some of the sharper blue cheeses available. Cornish Cheese sources all its milk locally, ensuring freshness and quality in its cheese production.Expand

Trethowan Brothers is a cheese producer located in England, specifically renowned for their artisanal cheese called Pitchfork Cheddar. Their operation is based in Somerset, where they use traditional methods and raw milk from their herd of Holstein-Friesian cows. Trethowan Brothers has also received accolades for their cheese, including awards at the British Cheese Awards.Expand

Godminster is a cheese producer located in Bruton, Somerset, UK. They specialize in producing organic cheeses, with their signature product being the Vintage Organic Cheddar, which is encased in burgundy wax. The company also makes flavored cheddars and a range of other dairy products. Godminster Farm practices sustainable farming, and it thrives on a mix of traditional methods and modern techniques to produce its goods.Expand

White Lake Cheese is located in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England, where it specializes in producing a variety of artisan cheeses. The company utilizes milk from both goats and sheep to craft its cheeses. White Lake Cheese has gained recognition for its innovative approach to cheesemaking and its commitment to quality.Expand

Quickes Traditional Ltd. is a cheese producer based in Exeter, Devon, known for producing traditional artisan cheeses using methods that date back centuries. The company operates on Home Farm, where they craft cheeses from milk produced by their own herd of cows. They specialize in cheddar but also produce a variety of other cheeses, including flavored variants and those made from sheep's milk. The aging process of their cheeses can last up to 24 months, contributing to their rich flavors.Expand