10 of the best cheesemongers in the Southwest

Southwest England is home to the West Country, two national parks (Dartmoor and Exmoor) and four World Heritage Sites (Stonehenge, the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, the Jurassic Coast and the City of Bath). However, it is perhaps best known for its food culture and traditions, from its residents’ strong opinions about cream teas to authentic Cheddar cheese and Cornish pasties to refreshing West Country cider.

Encompassing the counties of Cornwall, Dorset, Devon, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, it’s a wonderful area of the UK to explore - especially if you bring your appetite. We’ve rounded up the region’s best cheesemongers, so what are you waiting for?

The Fine Cheese Co, Bath

No trip to the historic city of Bath is complete without paying a visit to The Fine Cheese Co, where cheese literally wraps around the staff, being displayed in the window, counter, and behind them – attractively arranged on shelving.

The business (which encompasses both retail and international wholesale) enjoys continued success largely thanks to the expertise and passion of the team of buyers, who work with the best British and continental cheesemakers to source fine cheeses at their peak, and the 15-strong staff who nurture each and every variety in the maturing rooms.

From tiny, ripple-edged goats’ cheeses, to farmhouse Cheddars, there’s something for everyone in store. Uniquely, The Fine Cheese Co is able to offer its own biscuits and crackers, from sister company, Artisan Biscuits, alongside own label preserves. And you’ll also discover a larder of exquisite confectionery, charcuterie and more.

Stay awhile at the onsite café for cheese…and cake.

Forest Deli, Coleford

Owners Simon and Debbie Jones centre their shop around the cheese counter. The Forest Deli’s cheese offering is the pride and joy particularly of Simon – the in-house expert on all things cheese – and his passion for sampling local produce is the driving force behind their impressively wide range. 

Debbie’s love of cooking and appreciation for artisan producers rounds out the shop’s offering; a trained chef, she makes all of the homemade items for the deli including sausage rolls, quiche, scotch eggs, soup and cakes. “Everything we do and select for the shop is done with thought and care,” Debbie says, “and we provide a personal touch throughout. The cheese counter is at the heart of the shop, and we pride ourselves on providing an extensive range and variety of cheeses to suit all tastes and budgets.” 

Connecting with customers to provide optimum service is core to the Forest Deli proposition. “We love to make recommendations and work with our customers to provide something a bit different every time they come in.” Cheese care is top of the list of housekeeping duties, and the pair make sure that their cheese is in “tip top” condition at all times. “It really is so crucial that every piece of cheese is checked every single day and the counter is always interesting and inviting,” Debbie explains. 

The Cotswold Cheese Company

Burford, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold
Founded in 2006, then taken on by Jon and Lisa Goodchild in 2010, The Cotswold Cheese Company has transformed from a single site bricks-and-mortar shop to a buzzing online emporium and three strong retail empire. 

“We’re a family business and we value every customer far and wide,” says Jon. This far-reaching outlook is a thoroughly modern approach to independent retail, and yet the family home is still the hub of the business’s decision-making. “Cheese stocking decisions are taken around our table “We subsequently saw a significant increase in online sales to be delivered both locally and nationally,” says Jon. 

This move to online has proven to be a sound investment into the future of the company, incorporating benefits for both consumers and local food businesses. “Developing a community of loyal online customers has been monumental for us,” explains Jon. The retailer has made other smart tweaks, too. “With community in mind, we’ve also evolved our offering to our local customers by setting up a free local delivery within 10 miles for purchases over £20. Organic growth through our community is so important to us – something we’re proud is now reflected in the growing number of local restaurants who use us as their supplier. Our business model has developed: we created a successful, independent franchise in Burford run by the wonderful Janet Wells. We’re always looking for ideas on how to be present whilst still maintaining a direct connection to our customers.” 

Cheese Etc, Pangbourne

If you’re looking for a shop that celebrates community spirit and togetherness, look no further than Cheese Etc, The Pangbourne Cheese Shop. The cheesemonger, which has been owned by Ali and Jen Grimstone-Jones since 2015, is filled with more than 100 cheeses carefully selected from artisan producers. 

However, it’s the shop’s ability to put their customers at the heart of everything they do which makes them stand pride of place in their local community. 

“Pangbourne is such a lovely community,” says Jen. “We all look out for each other around here.” The community feeling extends beyond the limits of the shop doors. In Pangbourne, Jen says, everyone knows everyone. “If we don’t see a couple of our customers from one week to the next, we’ll give them a call and check they’re okay. We know lots of our customers by name, and that’s just a lovely thing of working in this kind of place. You get to know people.” 

The Bristol Cheesemonger, Bristol

Founded in 2013 by Rosie Morgan, Oli Smith and wife Jenny Howell jumped at the opportunity to take on The Bristol Cheesemonger, a thriving cheesemongers in 2021.

“Bristol is a city that prides itself on supporting its small independents, and we carry this idea right through the business,” says Oli. “Virtually every penny spent in our shop either stays in Bristol or goes directly to small rural businesses.” 

This local focus extends to the cheese counter itself, too. “Apart from occasional guest cheeses, we now buy 100% directly from the producer and are batch selecting an increasing number of products.” 

Connection is vital, from cheesemaker to cheeseboard. “We want our customers to get the best tasting cheese, and also feel a sense of connection to the producers. Our staff members know many of our cheesemakers personally, we take them on dairy visits and make days so that they understand the processes involved. 

“We love being the link between the often very small producers we work with and our customers,” continues Oli

Ashburton Deli, Ashburton

Located on the edge of beautiful Dartmoor, Ashburton Deli is owned and run by trained chef Robin Hudson with help from his mother Sue and an enthusiastic and knowledgeable team. 

The deli carries a large selection of cheeses, which expands during summer and at Christmas. Robin says, “We like to showcase as many local and regional cheeses as we can, as well as an excellent choice of Continental cheeses – the very best quality of the ones we choose to sell.” 

The team prides itself on being able to help customers select the best cheese for their needs. “We carefully source and taste them all and have excellent help and advice from the cheese suppliers we use. Our customers travel a long way to be able to choose the very best cheeses for their party cheeseboards, wedding cheese towers and even just a small selection of the best to enjoy at home for themselves”, Robin explains. 

“We and the team love the shop being busy and helping people with suggestions for cheeses they may not have tried before, and cooking advice. We have boards out every day with tasters to tempt them and always offer tastings of anything in the counter to help them with their choice. Customer care and service are vital to the ethos of our shop,” Robin continues. 

Broad Bean, Ludlow

If you were given a map and asked to plot out destinations renowned for their food and drink, Ludlow would certainly make the cut. 

It’s the perfect location for Broad Bean deli, and this is something owner Ian Evans doesn’t take for granted. 

“I always saw this as being an old school deli, and that stands us out from the crowd,” Ian explains. “We’re not a cafe or a sandwich bar selling a few deli bits. Most of the products people come in for are ingredients they, as cooks or chefs, will use at home. My ambition was to be as good as Wally’s in Cardiff. I thought if we could be half as good as them we’d be OK!” 

The experience of visiting Broad Bean can be an “assault on the senses” he adds. “We’ve got so much in here. And because the counter is at the back of the shop, you do have to do a journey to get to it!” 

More than 40 types of cheese grace the chiller, and while there are always a few key offerings you’ll find on the regular, like Cheddars and Baron Bigod, Ian says he continues to refresh what’s available. “I feel like that keeps customers engaged. They won’t find the same cheese in the same spot every week. We try to keep it seasonal, so we’re heavily stocked with goats’ cheese at the moment.” 

From a display point of view, Broad Bean is a little different. Instead of a serve over counter, Ian chose a patisserie display. “It’s like a large TV screen – 5ft by 3ft. The cheeses look great, and it creates a lot of engagement and conversations. We’ve always got tasters on the block, so we’ll sample those out while people are looking. Once people try something, they tend to buy it,” he says. 

Parlourmentary, Bournemouth

With his longstanding love of eating cheese and charcuterie platters with friends, it was only a matter of time before James Fowler – founder of Parlourmentary – had a cheese shop to his name. The roots of the business began in his restaurant first opened in 2011, The Larder House. “As we got recognised for our cheeseboards I had the idea of setting up a small cheese table out the front of the restaurant during December,” explains James. “Each year it grew bigger and bigger, to the point it would take two hours to set up and pack down each day.”  

As space became an issue, fate stepped in. “In 2019 a shop became available across the road and Parlourmentary was born!” 

Parlourmentary stands out from the crowd thanks to its eye-catching displays – no doubt drawing hungry crowds. “I like to think the shop has a fun and approachable design to its cheese offering, as customers can view all the cheeses in the front windows before coming to the counter.”

Thanks to his restauranteur background, culinary experimentation is the name of the game at James’s establishments. “I always like to do experimental products,” he says. Successful varieties have included Stoney Cross matured and fermented in grape pomace from a nearby biodynamic winery. “After two months of ageing it gave the cheese a real bright and tropical, wine-y finish – I thought it was great, and lucky so did others!” 

The Mousetrap Cheese Shop

Ludlow and Hereford
The Mousetrap Cheese Shop was opened 35 years ago by the Hindle family, who previously ran Monkland Cheese Dairy. Partners Claire and Matt Knowles bought the shops, having spent the best part of a year living at Matt’s mum’s house while trying to find a business to take on. “We went looking at all sorts of delis and finally came to see the Mousetrap, although it was out of our price range so we dismissed it for a while,” says Claire.

“We were so enchanted with Herefordshire, we thought it would be a wonderful place to raise our little family, so we begged and borrowed any bit of money that we could from family and the bank to secure the business.”

Being located in Herefordshire, the Mousetrap is well-placed to offer a wide selection of cheeses from around the UK and beyond. As Claire explains, “I think the huge variety of cheese we sell is probably the main comment we get. We sell a massive variety online and that’s only a part of the range in the shops, well over 100 types of cheese at any one time. 

“We pride ourselves on how we take care of the cheese from the sourcing, maturing and care in the counter, all the way to how we post it in insulated boxes with ice packs so that it travels safely for our online sales. Our shop customers love being able to have a sample of course, and it’s a great way of introducing new cheeses to people without them having to risk buying something they don’t like. 

“We have a great reputation for quality and as we’re based in Herefordshire with comparatively low overheads, our online prices are much less than a lot of our competitors’, so altogether it’s a great base to successfully run our business.” 

The Cheeseworks, Cheltenham

Something of an institution, The Cheeseworks has been a cheese shop since 1994. Originally it was a branch of The Fine Cheese Company, but in 2006 it changed owners and was made independent. 

The shop is positioned on the charming Regent Street, next door to the popular Everyman Theatre and just a few meters from the promenade. This vibrant street is full of independent retailers and restaurants, making it a desirable location for conscious consumers. 

“What gets the team up in the morning (apart from their interest and passion for cheese) is that they know they are coming up to the shop to spend quality time with their friends,” they say. “We often think of ourselves as a family”, the staff member continues. 

“We can rely on each other to always have a smile, even in incredibly busy times, and know that we’d look after each other both inside and outside of the shop. In my opinion, this warm, close-knit environment is the best way for us to grow more interest in what we do and sell. We learn so much from one another each day.”