Somerset
Birthplace of cheddar. Only three farms (Montgomery's, Keen's, Westcombe) still produce traditional clothbound Somerset Cheddar — the cheese the world knows but rarely actually buys.
Climate
Temperate maritime; mild winters, wet summers. The famous "rich pastures of Somerset" come from lime-rich soils and reliable rainfall.
Terroir
Mendip Hills limestone caves (specifically Cheddar Gorge) provided the original aging environment that gave the cheese its name. The natural caves provide consistent 50°F (10°C) temperature and high humidity year-round.
Historical context
Cheddar cheese is documented from at least the 12th century in the village of Cheddar. The cloth-bound aging tradition developed during the medieval period. "Cheddaring" — the curd-stacking-and-turning process — became the technique's defining characteristic. Mass-market "cheddar" today bears little resemblance to traditional Somerset Cheddar.
Modern status
Only three farms produce traditional Somerset Cheddar at scale today (Westcombe, Keen's, Montgomery's). The "West Country Farmhouse Cheddar" PDO designation protects this small surviving tradition. Patrick Rance championed these producers; Neal's Yard Dairy works directly with them.
Signature cheeses
| Cheese | Type | Protection | Editorial note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery's Cheddar | Hard aged | PDO | Clothbound; "the most respected cheddar in the world" (Rance) |
| Keen's Cheddar | Hard aged | PDO | Clothbound; slightly more savory than Montgomery's |
| Westcombe Cheddar | Hard aged | PDO | Clothbound; newer producer in the traditional method |
| Wyfe of Bath | Semi-soft | — | Newer Somerset farmhouse; not Cheddar |
| Tunworth | Bloomy rind | — | Hampshire (nearby); British Camembert-style; Stacey Hedges 2005 |
Milk sources
Animal milk types this region produces. Cow, sheep, goat, water buffalo each shape cheese character fundamentally.
Cheesemaking processes
Process categories this region is known for or specializes in.
Brands sourcing from this origin
3 brands in our directory source from or specialize in Somerset.
Related origins
Other regions with similar tradition, geography, or milk/process focus.