Cheese Festival - Melton Mowbray

Morris Dancers at the Artisan Cheese Festival, Melton Mowbray

Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire is the rural food capital of England, nationally and internationally renowned for its Stilton Cheese and Pork Pies.  It is also one of the few towns still to have a cattle market each week (on Tuesdays).

In May the Annual Artisan Cheese Festival is held at the Cattle Market and its setting is apposite; cheese from the cows, sheep and goats which are normally at the centre of the buyer's procurement.

There is so much cheese to taste that it's difficult which to choose to take home, so most will take a variety from cheese-makers who have travelled a distance, like the Cornish Cheese Company, to those from just down the road: the Long Clawson Dairy.

At just £1 to go in, value for money is a no-brainer. As well as the selection of cheese to sample, there is wine, white port - so good - fruit spirits such as Sloe Gin, Raspberry Gin by Sloeberry Spirits, and lots more. There is also a stall selling gluten-free products, mainly bread, and a fantastic chocolate stall. Home-made pies (Brocklehurst) and, of course, Dickinson and Morris were there too.  The sheds welcomed a large crowd who wound their way round to sample the delights and at times it was difficult to squeeze in to pitch your cocktail-stick into a tasty morsel.  There were also talks being given through out the day in two buildings, and these too were packed with an attentive audience.  Roll on the Pie Festival later in the year.

Cornish Blue - sooooo creamy

Cheese from Chorlton

It isn't all cheese - beer from the Staffordshire Brewery - see the Staffordshire knot? 

Cornish Blue, Long Clawson Stilton -in a pot - Chiili cheese and Sparkenhoe Vintage Red Leicester

For a Broccoli and Stilton Soup recipe, click here and try here for Stilton Biscuits


Artisan Cheese Festival 2014 is 3/4 May 10am – 4pm. £1 entry.
Cattle Market, Melton Mowbray LE13 1JY - see here for more details.

© Karen Ette 2013