Top 17 British Sheep's Milk Cheeses

Errington Cheese is a cheese producer based in Scotland. The company specializes in crafting artisan cheeses from sheep’s milk, including their well-known Lanark Blue cheese. Errington Cheese was established in 1983 by Humphrey Errington, and it emphasizes traditional methods in cheese production.Expand

Village Maid Cheese, based in Riseley, England, was established by Anne Wigmore in 1986 after a decade of experience at the National Institute for Research in Dairying. The company is renowned for its artisanal cheeses, including the award-winning Wigmore, Waterloo, and Spenwood, which are all produced using traditional methods and milk from local farms committed to sustainability and animal welfare. The cheese production at Village Maid emphasizes minimal changes to traditional methods over the years, focusing on handmade processes and environmental sustainability. For instance, they innovated by replacing disposable cheese cloths with a more sustainable alternative to reduce waste. Their range of cheeses has received numerous accolades, reflecting their commitment to quality and craft. The company has grown significantly since its inception, moving to a larger facility in Riseley to accommodate increased production and introducing new products like Maida Vale. This growth continues, all while maintaining a strong connection to local suppliers and sustainable practices.Expand

Yorkshire Pecorino Cheese, based in Otley, is owned by Mario Olianas, an Italian-born cheesemaker who moved to Yorkshire from Sardinia. The company specializes in producing Pecorino cheese using traditional Sardinian methods combined with locally sourced sheep’s milk from Yorkshire. Their products have been awarded in various cheese competitions, emphasizing quality and artisanal techniques.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

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

Shepherds Purse Cheeses, based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, specializes in making a variety of artisan cheeses, including the award-winning blue cheese, Harrogate Blue, and the sheep milk cheese, Yorkshire Pecorino. The company was established in 1989 by Judy Bell and is known for using cow's milk, sheep's milk, and water buffalo milk. Their products are available across various retail outlets and are used by chefs throughout the UK.Expand

Bradburys Cheese, based in England, sources globally to provide a diverse selection of cheeses that range from traditional British varieties to international types. The company, established in 1884, operates from Buxton, Derbyshire. Bradburys Cheese offers cheese under its own brand as well as providing private label cheeses for other businesses.Expand

Yorkshire Dama Cheese is a cheese producer based in England, specifically established in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire. The company was founded by Razan Alsous, a Syrian immigrant, who started the business in 2014. Yorkshire Dama Cheese is known for producing a variety of cheeses, including their award-winning halloumi cheese. The company sources its cow's milk locally to maintain freshness and supports sustainable practices.Expand

Malvern is a traditional cheese made in the Severn Valley. The cheese is made from raw sheep's milk. It has a texture that's semi-hard and dry, yet creamy and dense on the palate. The flavors are sweet, herbaceous, and reminiscent of butterscotch, with hints of thyme. Malvern is aged from 2 to 4 months and has a high-fat content of 50%. It's recommended to grill it or grate it over pasta dishes and various salads. Interestingly, at the 1997 British Cheese Awards, this cheese won a silver medal.Expand

Spenwood is a hard cheese originating from Berkshire. The cheese is made from raw sheep's milk. It has a thin natural rind, while the texture is smooth and dense. The flavors are nutty, sweet, milky, and caramel-like, becoming slightly piquant as the cheese ages. Spenwood is left to age for 9 months, but it can also be left to age for up to 12 months, when it becomes drier and the flavors are more concentrated. This cheese is ideal for cooking, and it's recommended to grate it over pasta. It was named after the Berkshire village of Spencers Wood.Expand

Lanark Blue is a traditional roquefort-style cheese produced by Selina Errington. The blue cheese is made from raw sheep's milk. It's settled into shape, then dipped in brine before it's left to rest for a month so that the mold develops on the rind. Lanark Blue can be sold after 6 weeks of maturation up to 8 months. The texture is creamy, with blue veining running throughout the paste. The flavors are salty, creamy, sharp, rich, and tangy. It's recommended to pair it with a glass of Rioja or Bordeaux. Use Lanark Blue in sauces or crumble it over salads.Expand

Wigmore is an English cheese made from sheep's milk. It is produced by Anne and Andy Wigmore of Village Maid Cheese at the village of Riseley in Berkshire. The cheese has a natural bloomy rind. The aroma is yeasty, the flavors mild, sweet, and fruity, while the texture is creamy and similar to that of Brie. Wigmore matures for at least 8 weeks before it's fully ripened, when it reveals hints of grass, hay, citrus, and caramel.Expand

Sussex Slipcote is an English cheese hailing from Horsted Keynes, West Sussex. This fresh cheese is made from sheep's milk, and it's often flavored with peppercorns, garlic, or aromatic herbs. The ripening period usually lasts for 10 days. The texture is soft, moist, and almost mousse-like. The aromas are clean and fresh, while the flavors are lemony and tangy with sweet notes. The name of this cheese is derived from an old English word meaning a little (slip) piece of cottage (cote) cheese. It's recommended to spread Sussex Slipcote on biscuits or bread. Alternatively, use it with pasta dishes or baked potatoes.Expand

Morangie Brie is a Scottish brie-style cheese hailing from Tain, where it's produced by Highland Fine Cheeses. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's or sheep's milk. Underneath its bloomy rind, the texture is smooth and creamy. The aromas are mild, sweet, and milky, while the flavors are smooth, sweet, meaty, and creamy. This soft cheese goes well with red or white wines.Expand

Little Ryding is an English cheese hailing from North Wootton, where it's produced by Wootton Organic Dairy. The cheese is made from raw sheep's milk and it's left to age for at least 4 weeks before consumption. Underneath its bloomy rind, the texture is smooth, springy, and creamy, and as the cheese ages the texture becomes creamier and softer. The aromas are sweet and rich, while the flavors are mild and sweet, which is the reason why it's often served as an appetizer. It's recommended to pair Little Ryding with a glass of Riesling.Expand

Friesla is an English cheese hailing from Devon. The cheese is made from pasteurized sheep's milk and it's usually left to age from 6 to 10 weeks. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is firm and hard. The aromas and flavors are sweet, with hints of blackcurrants and a long-lasting almond finish. Interestingly, Friesla is typically shaped into a boulder.Expand

Shepherd's Crook is an English cheese hailing from Somerset, where it's produced by Wootton Organic Dairy. The cheese is made from raw sheep's milk and it's usually left to age for at least 4 weeks before consumption. Underneath its bloomy rind, the texture is smooth, soft, creamy, and springy. The aromas are sweet and rich, while the flavors are mild and sweet. It's recommended to serve Shepherd's Crook as an appetizer and pair it with a glass of Riesling on the side.Expand

Beenleigh Blue is an English cheese hailing from Devon, where it's produced by Ticklemore Cheese Dairy. This blue cheese is made from pasteurized sheep's milk and it's based on a Roquefort recipe. It's produced between January and July with the milk of Dorset-Friesland sheep in Cornwall, and the maturation period lasts for 6 months. Underneath its natural crusty rind with patches of white, grey, and blue mold, the texture is dense, smooth, moist, and crumbly. The aromas are nutty, while the flavors are salty, spicy, and reminiscent of burnt caramel with hints of sweetness. It's recommended to pair Beenleigh Blue with a glass of Port, Mead, or Merlot.Expand