British Cheese – Which is best? Top 5 cheeses from the UK

British cheese is known as some of the finest in Europe. Whether you like mild or strong cheeses, there will be something for you here. But what are the most popular British cheeses, and where are they made? Here are the top 5, and where to sample or buy them across the UK.

Top 5 British Cheeses

If you are visiting or studying English in the UK, you will want to try the foods that the local people eat. Here are the UK’s favourite 5 cheeses:

1. Cheddar

Cheddar comes from the village of Cheddar in Somerset and is the UK’s most popular cheese – making up 51% of the country’s cheese market. Traditional farmhouse Cheddar is aged in caves, developing a sharp, nutty flavour and firm texture.

2. Stilton

Stilton is a creamy blue cheese that smells very strong. Legally, cheese labelled as ‘stilton’ can only be produced in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Nottinghamshire.

3. Red Leicester

This orange cheese tastes like a milk cheddar but is aged to develop a nutty, mellow flavour. Originally made in Leicestershire, Red Leicester is a versatile cheese that is used a lot for snacking or cooking.

4. Wensleydale

Wensleydale cheese is crumbly and slightly sweet cheese from Yorkshire, often paired with fruits like cranberries. Wensleydale’s popularity was greatly boosted by its exposure in the British animation series Wallace and Gromit (pictured).

5. Double Gloucester

This buttery, golden cheese is a traditional product of Gloucestershire, often enjoyed for its smooth texture and rich flavour.

British Cheese Experiences in the UK

A lot of people in the UK take cheese very seriously. Here are some events for people who love to celebrate this popular food.

Cheese Markets like London’s Borough Market are great for cheese lovers, offering samples and direct access to artisan producers.

Cheese Tours in places such as the Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company in Somerset or the Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes offer full cheese experiences with demonstrations on how they are made.

Caerphilly in Wales is home to a hard, crumbly white cheese, and also hosts the Big Cheese Festival for cheese lovers in the UK!

The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an annual event where participants race down a hill in Gloucestershire, England to catch a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. It is one of the strangest dates in the British events calendar and always produces some amazing videos.

Where to try British Cheese near me

If you’re studying with us at BSC Education and are reading this article, you will probably want to know where the best places for trying cheese are in the area. Our Student Experience Team know the best places in the area and are passionate about helping you find what you are looking for!

Brighton (Sophie) – “Curds and Whey is a wine and cheese tasting experience on Western Road, it’s really popular here and has great reviews on Trip Advisor”.

Edinburgh (Jane) – “Edinburgh Cheese Crawl is a walking tour where you can you’ll visit a number of the city’s top cheesemongers as well as Edinburgh’s neighborhoods and small businesses -perfect for visiting cheese lovers!”.

London (Ellie) – “Pick & Cheese is a place in Seven Dials Market where the cheese comes round on a conveyor belt. It’s like a Cheese Yo Sushi!“.

Manchester (Meg) – “They don’t sell blocks of cheese, but a local favourite is the Northern Soul café, where you can enjoy amazing cheese toasties and lots of different kinds of macroni cheese”.

York – (Tanya)  – “There’s a cheese shop called Love Cheese about a 7 minute walk from the college. They do the best charcoal cheese. Any cheese you want, they’ve got it! Sandwiches, mango chutney, crackers…. I’m getting so excited. My friend bought me a voucher for my birthday, that’s how much I love cheese!”.

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Best vegan cheese in the UK

If you have a plant-based diet, you shouldn’t have to miss out on the fun. Here are the top plant-based cheeses in the UK for 2025, as decided by Good Housekeeping Magazine.

Vocabulary You Might Have Learned From This Article

Here are some vocabulary words and phrases above A2 level that you might have encountered in this article. They can help you expand your English skills while discussing food, culture, and experiences:

1. Versatile – (adjective) Able to adapt or be used for many different purposes.
   Example: Red Leicester is a versatile cheese that is used for snacking or cooking.
2. Crumbly – (adjective) Breaking or falling apart easily into small pieces.
   Example: Wensleydale cheese is known for its crumbly texture.
3. Artisan – (adjective) Made in a traditional or non-mechanised way, often referring to food or craft.
   Example: Cheese markets offer samples of artisan cheeses.
4. Demonstrations – (noun) Public presentations or explanations of how something works or is made.
   Example: Cheese tours often include demonstrations of cheese-making.
5. Exposure – (noun) The state of being seen or known about by a wider audience.
   Example: Wensleydale’s popularity grew due to its exposure in the Wallace and Gromit series.
6. Conveyor belt – (noun) A continuously moving strip or surface used for transporting objects.
   Example: At Pick & Cheese, the cheese comes around on a conveyor belt.
7. Mellow – (adjective) Pleasantly smooth or soft, not harsh or intense.
   Example: Red Leicester has a mellow flavour.
8. Smooth – (adjective) Having an even and soft texture, not rough or bumpy.
   Example: Double Gloucester is known for its smooth texture.
9. Sharp (flavour) – (adjective) Strong and slightly tangy in taste.
   Example: Traditional farmhouse Cheddar develops a sharp flavour over time.
10. Rich (flavour) – (adjective) Full and intense in flavour.
    Example: Double Gloucester is celebrated for its rich flavour.