British & Irish Cheese has come a long way to become competitive with French & European cheeses and is often better in 2024.
In this post, we'll go over some of the best cheese shops in UK where you can buy some well matured cheese in peak condition for your next dinner party or event.
I J Mellis Cheese, Scotland
With a maturing room in Edinburgh and shops in Glasgow, St. Andrews & Edinburgh, I J Mellis is the market leader in Scotland and specialises in Scottish cheeses, matured to their peak.
They also sell English & European cheese, freshly baked breads & their own brand crackers & chutneys to eat with your cheese.
Some of the best Scottish cheese to try that we'd recommend are Blackmount Ash Goat's Cheese, by Selina Cairns at Errington Cheese.
The Courtyard Dairy, Yorkshire
Set in a beautiful location in the North Yorkshire Dales, The Courtyard Dairy just outside of Settle is Yorkshire's Finest Cheese shop & wholesale supplier.
With a small museum, a wine shop on the grounds & a great selection of cheese, it's a great place to buy some cheese if you in the area near Whernside, Ingleborough or Pen-y-Ghent.
Paxton & Whitfield
First established in London over 200 years ago in 1797, and Britain's.
Still in the same shop in Jermyn Street, Paxton & Whitfield in London is situated near all of the swanky shirtmakers, they're especially strong in British & Irish cheeses, such as Coolea, Cashel Blue & Tunworth.
Mons Cheesemongers
A more European focused cheese shop, Mons is a French affineur (cheese maturer) with a stall at Borough Market, first opened in 2006 and a number of other shops across London & a trade & wholesale business.
They select and age British & Continental cheese, and are especially strong in French cheeses like Comté, Gruyère & Camembert and large cheeses for dishes like Raclette.
Neal's yard Dairy
Situated just over the road from Borough Market, Neal's Yard Dairy is a British cheese specialist, especially strong in British cheeses like Stichelton, Stilton, Hafod Cheddar and Lincolnshire Poacher.
They also sell some Scottish cheese like Blackmount and Isle of Mull cheddar.
Cartmel Cheese
Situated in Cartmel, home to Simon Rogan's 3 Michelin Star L'Enclume, Cartmel Cheese is a fantastic cheese shop, supplying local foodies & visitors in town for a fine dining mini break.
You can also pick up some Cartmel Syrup Sponge pudding or Sticky Toffee Pudding from the shop while you are there.
Cheeseworks, Cheltenham
Situated in my hometown of Cheltenham, Cheeseworks is a small independent cheese shop.
The first place I ever had my Gorgonzola served with a spoon & put into a little plastic pot as it was so ripe, it will always be a firm favourite as it was one of the first places I'd experienced the smells & been totally bewildered by the cheese on offer in a proper artisan cheese shop.
Conclusion
British cheese has come a long way in the last 10 years and we produce some truly world class cheeses, as well as importing and maturing some outstanding European cheeses.
If you're not sure which cheeses to try, consider hiring a private chef from Yuzu Private Dining.
They'll be able to draw upon their experience to pick something you might never have tried before and will serve it with some matching accompaniments and help you choose a matching wine pairing.