Fromageries

THE UK IS HOME TO AN INCREDIBLE ARRAY OF ARTISAN CHEESE SHOPS. HERE ARE FIVE OF THE BEST, EACH GUARANTEED TO PLEASE EVEN THE MOST DISCERNING CHEESE-LOVER

1 Country Cheeses, Devon

Gary and Elise Jungheim have sold British cheese in Devon for more than 30 years. They started with a stall at Pannier Market, in Tavistock, and now run three Country Cheeses shops, in Topsham, Totnes and the town where it all started. They sell close to 150 cheeses, mostly from the West Country, and even ordering bespoke cheeses from local producers, including the Sharpham Estate’s award-winning Celeste. countrycheeses.co.uk

2 La Fromagerie, London

Having started out selling cheese from her garden shed, Patricia Michelson went on to open La Fromagerie in London’s Highbury in 1992. Two more outposts followed, in Marylebone in 2002 and in Bloomsbury in 2017. The stores are renowned for their ‘cheese rooms’, which eschew traditional glass counters in favour of open shelves stacked high with products from the UK and Europe. La Fromagerie also partners with the Academy of Cheese to run day courses for professionals and enthusiasts alike. lafromagerie.co.uk

3 The Courtyard Dairy, Settle

This multi-award-winning dairy in Settle, North Yorkshire is a must-visit destination for cheese-lovers. Run by Andy and Kathy Swinscoe, it comprises a beautiful shop selling artisan cheeses from the UK and Europe, a cafe serving fondue and toasties, and a cheese museum, where visitors can learn about the history of cheesemaking. thecourtyarddairy.co.uk

4 The Old Cheese Shop, Hartington

Cheese-making in Hartington, Derbyshire, dates back to the 1870s, but after local production ceased with the closure of the Hartington cheese factory in 2009, a group of local cheesemakers — including Claire Milner, co-owner of The Old Cheese Shop — formed Hartington Creamery to keep the tradition alive. Claire’s shop, in the centre of Hartington village, stocks more than 100 varieties of British and Irish cheeses, from the creamery’s own award-winning stilton to more unusual flavours like pineapple and sticky toffee. hartingtoncheeseshop.co.uk

5 Neal’s Yard Dairy, London

Founded in Covent Garden in 1979, Neal’s Yard has played an instrumental role in the great British cheese revival. It works closely with around 40 cheesemakers across the UK and Ireland, selecting the best cheeses to mature and then sell from its three London outposts. Its speciality is traditional British ‘territorials’, such as Appleby’s Cheshire, which reflect the nation’s unique climate and agriculture. nealsyarddairy.co.uk

The Courtyard Dairy, Settle; Below: Country Cheeses, Topsham; Neal’s Yard Dairy, Covent Garden