Cheese

Well the Great British Cheese Festival lived up to its name. There were cheeses from all over the British Isles including Ireland (just for the Irish who think they are separate). There were some 700 cheeses judged for the awards, but there were 288 awards. We started with a somerset brie and cranberry crepe from the food hall. Then we wandered. It was actually a festival. There was live music and a bar serving local ciders and beers in a big top. There were food halls, cheese halls, other produce halls, and halls for cheese making demonstrations and cheese and various alcohol tastings. And the weather was nice enough that everyone could make use of the outdoor areas for picnics and drinking.

We did the Best of British cheese tasting session, where you get to taste a selection of the winning cheeses, and learn a bit about the competition. And we roamed the local produce, cheese hall and food hall, tasting away. Some of the highlights were
Caledonian Seriously Strong Cheddar, Knockdrinna goat cheese, Simon Weaver’s Cotswolds brie, Stinking Bishop, the vast numbers of Stilton and other blue cheeses, and the Manjira coconut chutney, which was mostly garlic.

The big top


The "local heroes" hall with chutneys, salamis, infused oils, balsamic vinegars, and coffee. All with free tasters.


The cheese hall: "Britain's Biggest Cheese Market". Over thirty different stalls of cheese. With everything available for sampling.



Adam pulling a silly face when he realises the camera is on him. We have no idea what the large eel-like thing is in front of him.