The Best Of British Artisan Cheeses For Autumn

Britain’s burgeoning artisan cheese scene gets larger every day, so you don’t have to restrict yourself to classics like Cheddar, Wensleydale and Stilton. We asked Andy Swinscoe of The Courtyard Diary in Yorkshire for five of the more unusual cheeses to look out for in autumn.

Summer Field Alpine

Only 60 wheels of this were made in 2015, so it is a rare find and unusual in the fact it is made in Yorkshire but to a German Alpine cheese recipe for Berg Kase. Head cheese-maker, Alastair Pearson farmed over there for some time before returning to the UK. Similar in style to cheeses like Comté, but made with full-fat milk, it is nutty supple and has a buttery, butterscotch note.

Baby Buck

St James

Sheep’s milk was once in abundance in the UK, but has only recently become established again for cheese making. Martin Gott and his partner Nicola Robinson make this unusual little cheese in south Cumbria. Made using milk from their own 110 sheep out at pasture, they wash the rind, which gives rise to savoury meaty flavours in the cheese that counteract the sweetness of their sheep’s milk with a pungent smell. 40% of people aren’t keen on it. But blimey, those that do like it … well, they love it!

Hebden Goat

Gillian only has seven goats so this unusual take on a goats’ cheese is hard to find. But seek it out if you can. Made to a French style, Gillian still milks her goats by hand and uses the Anglo Nubian breed which give a rich intense milk to give the finished cheese a fantastic flavour and a true taste of the Yorkshire Pennines.

Bermondsey Hard Pressed

Made in a copper vat imported from Switzerland, Bill Oglethorpe spent some time over there perfecting Swiss cheese-making techniques, before bringing his expertise back to the UK. Only made in very small quantities, Bermondsey Hard Pressed has the grassy nuttiness of a good Gruyère.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.