You’ll be guided through a hugely satisfying process to make your own goat’s cheese Make goat’s cheese in Norfolk
British caseiculture is on the up: there’s been a huge resurgence in regional cheeses, and Britain now produces more than 700 varieties nationwide. Immerse yourself in the trend by making a weekend of it on a cheesemaking course in Norfolk, the home of award-winning Fielding Cottage goat’s cheese. Set in the peaceful village of Honingham in the heart of the countryside, Fielding Cottage is a small family farm run by owner Sam Steggles, complete with holiday cottages overlooking a goat paddock and the cheese factory where Sam’s courses take place. Classes run for six hours, and you’ll learn a huge amount during this time. Starting with tea, coffee and a safety debrief, you’ll then head to the cheese factory where you’ll don protective clothing and hairnets. Everyone on the course has their own work station and equipment, and you’ll be guided through the hugely satisfying cheesemaking process – start with just a bowl of heated milk in the morning, and by the end of the course, you’ll have transformed it into a large dome of goat’s cheese to take home. You’ll also be taken on a tour of the factory to learn about the science of cheesemaking, production and storage, and you’ll taste plenty of Fielding Cottage goat’s cheese en route, including Norfolk Mardler, Wensum White, Ellingham and creamy goat’s curd. At the end of the course, you’ll box up the cheese you’ve made to take home, along with several of the farm’s cheeses, a booklet on how to make and look after your cheese, and a cheesemaking certificate. Accommodation is on-site, and includes three modern, comfortable cottages (sleeping two to four) with bedrooms, kitchens, huge bathrooms, and a separate living space. There’s also a self-service farm shop, The Goat Shed, where you can pick up free-range eggs, juices and jams for breakfast, plus other locally sourced treats such as ice cream, veg, honey, popcorn, oil, the farm’s own goat meat, and its goat’s milk skincare range. All of the cottages have access to a games room with table tennis, books, toys and other games, and your stay includes free passes to The Edge Health and Fitness. Just five minutes’ drive from the farm, it has an indoor heated pool, a sauna, steam rooms and a gym, and Espa spa treatments are available. If you want to walk off some of that cheese, there are plenty of woodland trails in the area, or explore the Broads with a self-drive boat trip – picnic boats can be hired from Barnes Brinkcraft in Wroxham (£91 for a half day, barnesbrinkcraft.co.uk).
While in the area, it’s well worth visiting Norwich, a medieval city packed with great independent foodie spots. Smart neighbourhood bistro Benedicts is a highlight. Great British Menu winner and judge, chef-patron Richard Bainbridge, showcases local produce and serves comforting yet refined plates with immaculate attention to detail. Order the Norfolk mutton with pearl barley, swede, beetroot & sage jus and his winning GBM dessert, ‘nanny’s trifle’ (two courses, £31, three courses, £39; restaurantbenedicts.com). For unbeatable sweet treats including brookies (brownie-cookie hybrids) and beautiful macarons, stop off at Macarons & More (macaronsandmore.com), a lovely little shop in the Royal Arcade owned by Masterchef ’s Tim Kinnaird. Fiona Forman
How to do it
The next cheesemaking courses at Fielding Cottage run on Friday 17 January and Saturday 18 January 2020 from 9am-3pm. £80 per person, including lunch. On-site cottages start from £85 per person a night. fieldingcottage.co.uk. For more info on things to do in the area, see visitnorwich.co.uk.