WHY BRITISH CHEESE IS BEST

George Dart tells us why we should all be eating British cheese this Christmas...

British farmhouse cheese is some of the finest in the world. For hundreds of years, thousands of family farms across our Isles produced unique cheeses, each reflecting a regions culture, terroir and climate. Iconic house-hold names emerged; Cheddar in the West Country, Stilton in the market towns of the Midlands and Wensleydale or Lancashire on the team_at_ticklemore_darts_farm_devon_1000x600 Northern hill farms. There would have been hundreds of each type of cheese, every one a unique representation of time and place.

By the mid-20th century, much of this diversity had vanished at the hands of industrialisation and World War. Cheese became uniform, standardised and frankly, boring.

Today, the tide has turned. Forced to diversify by rock-bottom milk prices, farms are riding the wave of renaissance cheese_darts_Farm_devon_1000x600 as the British cheese scene roars again. Underpinned by world class farming, rich heritage, innovative producers and a discerning population yearning for quality, we now boast the most vibrant cheese scene on earth. Since 2011, the UK has consistently ranked among the world’s best, earning the second highest number of medals - behind only Spain - at the World Cheese Awards.

At Darts Farm, we work with the very best British producers to bring you cheese that will simply blow your mind. Many of Deli_Cheese_Darts_Farm_Devon_1000x500 these producers just happen to sit on our doorstep, local food heroes such as Ticklemore, Quicke’s and Shapham which have become national treasures. The passion of these makers is rivalled by our mongers, who take great joy in guiding you through your selection. Come in, taste, discuss and discover cheese that you’ll love.

Cheese is certainly one food where the gulf between artisan and industrial is undeniable - the depth and complexity of flavour found in British farmhouse cheese is just sensational. Look beyond mass-made mediocracy and treat yourself to a hunk of the world’s best cheese this Christmas.

Our top picks for your Christmas Cheeseboard...

Colston Bassett Stilton
The King of Stilton! Ours is an exclusive recipe which is wonderfully balanced, rich and creamy.

Cornish Kern
A real crowd-pleaser. Sweet and nutty, reminiscent of alpine classics like Comte and Gruyere made in the depths of Cornwall.

Sharpham Brie
A Coulommier-style cheese - the French call ‘little brie’ - from rich Jersey milk here in Devon. Firm and buttery when young,
softening to reveal gentle mushroom and chicory notes.

Quicke’s Mature
A rich, buttery cheddar. If there’s any cheese that truly Christmas_Cheese_Board_2_Darts_Farm_Devon_1200x1200 represents the taste of Devon it’s Quicke’s.

Kirkham’s Lancashire
A timeless classic! The only remaining traditional raw milk Lancashire cheese. Buttery, yogurty with a crumbly texture. Subtle yet incredibly complex.

To complete the cheeseboard... we would add Fresh Flour Co. Crackers, Maison Marc Cornichons and England Preserves Damson Paste.

Darts Farm

WHY BRITISH CHEESE IS BEST

Posted in Food & Drink on 17 Nov 2025

George Dart tells us why we should all be eating British cheese this Christmas...

Our top picks for your Christmas Cheeseboard...

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