British cheeseboard

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Last year we had a lovely west county cheese hamper sent for our Christmas cheeseboard, and it inspired me to try and find some local British cheeses for this year too.

I'd love to do a "4 nations" cheeseboard with English, Scottish, N Irish and Welsh cheese.
One cheese from each nation, a hard, a soft, a blue and one other (maybe smoked).

Which are the best cheeses local to you? I'd love names of actual cheese makers rather than just cheese varieties.

Y-Fenni cheese from Wales. A cheddar style cheese made with mustard seeds and ale.

Another vote for Parlick Fell sheep's cheese. Blacksticks Blue is good and quite widely available.
I've not had it for a while but Ribblesdale Goat is nice too.
And the Lancashire bomb ...

Drumturk Cheeses in Perthshire do amazing goats cheese. I’m not usually a fan but they converted me.

Barkham Blue is a gorgeous blue cheese made by a cheese maker in Berkshire. It's won lots of awards. I would give your local cheese shop a visit and ask their advice.

Red Storm from Wales is amazing

Blue Murder is a really popular cheese in my local (Scottish) deli. Last time I had it I thought it a bit salty but it would be worth seeking out to try.

Wigmore is an amazing cheese from Berkshire www.nealsyarddairy.co.uk/products/wigmore

I would suggest Ayrshire Dunlop, local to us and absolutely lovely.

www.dunlopdairy.co.uk/cheese.html

I will also second Baron Bigod and Black Bomber since both are likely to feature on our Festive Cheeseboard this year along with Colston Basset Stilton 🧀

@VivaJen I had never heard of Dunlop Dairy, but have a coffee date with a friend planned in Dunlop next weekend so will swing by and try some!

Following for ideas

@MilduraS

Y-Fenni cheese from Wales. A cheddar style cheese made with mustard seeds and ale.

Was just coming on to say this. Its absolutely gorgeous

@Jumpingintochristmas definitely recommend (haven't been in the tea room part for a while but last time I was there the chocolate cake was lovely). Also if you are in Dunlop Friday, Saturday or Sunday pop into Idle Hands Bakery

Cornish yarg

[quote VivaJen]@Jumpingintochristmas definitely recommend (haven't been in the tea room part for a while but last time I was there the chocolate cake was lovely). Also if you are in Dunlop Friday, Saturday or Sunday pop into Idle Hands Bakery [/quote]
Fantastic @VivaJen. It’s Idle Hands we are going to, can’t wait as between lockdowns and unable to leave our area then their summer break I have been waiting forever.

Godminster cheddar
Cornish Blue
Sharpham Rustic
Mayfield
Tor Goats cheese

All English and mostly West Country and mostly mild in flavour.

Ooh, loads of ideas, thank you!
Thank you for the N Ireland suggestion particularly, will def follow that up.

We have had Snowdonia cheese before (delicious!), I think it was the Red storm one mentioned above.

Maybe I need to try all some of the suggestions before Christmas, strictly for research you understand

Sainsbury's own brand Goat's Cheese.
Perfection, trust me.

Garstang Blue from Dewlay in Lancashire
We love this too.
I am going to put this idea down for my impossible to buy for DH.

I'm after Welsh rarebit but can only seem to source it from Fortnum & Mason? I like the idea of it already made, spread it on some crusty bread and then toast it. Wish I had purchased some last year from them when I did a bit of an Xmas shop, not sure I can justify the postage let alone the price for just a 250g pot, its enough to make you gulp. I live in Wales and its strange how its not available like that generally.

Mrs Temple’s Binham Blue from Norfolk is good

My favourite Stilton by far though is Cropwell Bishop.

cropwellbishopstilton.co.uk/our-range/blue-stilton/

Greens of Glastonbury make a simply delicious organic mature cheddar.

@Appledrop do you have an M&S near you? Mine does a Welsh rarebit in a ceramic dish that you heat up in the oven.

www.mousehousecheese.co.uk/

Lovely lincolnshire cheeses, we had a hamper last Xmas and it was fab (so much so, I ordered dad one for his birthday). My favourite is the steep hill vintage cheddar

I should add, although Mouse house has a shop in Lincoln, they make their own cheeses on their farm just outside of Skegness (their Skegness blue is very popular)

@MilduraS Oh wow, really? Never seen any mention of it. Will make sure I check out their cheese section when I next go....might even pop in today whilst I am out. Thank you.