British Cheese and Adventure: A Perfect Pairing
When is National Cheese Lovers Day?
National Cheese Lovers Day in the UK is on 20th January Every Year!
Calling all food-loving adventurers! With National Cheese Lovers Day on January 20th 2025, it’s time to plan a fromage-themed countryside caper with Ordnance Survey’s OS Maps. From Somerset’s Cheddar Gorge home to, you guessed it: Cheddar; to Dorset’s rolling, green pastures with its lesser-known Blue Vinny cheese, read on for mouth-watering inspiration plus OS Maps routes to explore on your cheesy escapade.
We share 5 routes you could try to celebrate National Cheese Lovers Day in the UK!
1. Cheddar – Somerset
Discover Cheddar: The Cheese, The Village, The Adventure
Cheddar cheese is a beloved British staple, known for its rich, creamy texture and robust flavour. Depending on its age, it can range from mild and smooth to sharp and crumbly. Cheddar has been crafted for over 800 years, originating in the heart of Somerset. The earliest written record of the cheese is in 1170, when King Henry II purchased 10,240 pounds of the tasty yellow stuff. Clearly a man of good taste! Nowadays, it’s the most popular cheese in the UK and accounts for around 50% of all cheese sales in the country.
The nation’s favourite fromage owes its name and heritage to the village of Cheddar in Somerset, nestled at the foot of the Mendip Hills. Cheesemaking began here thanks to the lush pastures, perfect for dairy farming. Historically, cheese was stored and matured in the cool, naturally humid Cheddar Gorge caves.
But there’s more to Cheddar than cheese! The village is famous for its breathtaking Cheddar Gorge, England’s largest, where you can explore stunning cliff-top walks and caves. Did you know it’s also home to Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton, known as “Cheddar Man,” discovered in Gough’s Cave? Whether you’re a foodie, history buff, or nature enthusiast, Cheddar is the perfect destination to indulge all your passions.
National Cheese Day Adventure: Try this Cheddar Gorge Route:
2. Stilton – Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire
Say Cheese to Stilton: A Taste of British Heritage
Stilton cheese, often crowned the ‘King of English cheeses,’ is a tongue-tingling feast for the senses! With its velvety crumbly texture and distinctive tangy flavour, it’s instantly recognizable thanks to its blue veins. Stilton’s roots date back to the 18th century. It was first made by the housekeeper of Quenby Hall, a stately home near Leicester, which was also the location for the 2005 film, ‘A Cock and Bull Story’.
Stilton cheese holds the prestigious title of a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product. This means it can only be made in the counties of Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire (though not in the actual village of Stilton, which is in Cambridgeshire). These regions boast the lush pastures and high-quality milk essential for crafting this royal cheese.
From countryside walks to cheese-laden picnics, Stilton-country is a great place to try an OS Maps route, combining it out with great food and drink, plus a dash of history. In Leicestershire, you can explore the picturesque Vale of Belvoir, a hub for local grub. Nottinghamshire offers a mix of historic sites like Sherwood Forest, once home to Robin Hood and his Merry Men, and modern food markets. Elsewhere, Derbyshire with its glorious Peak District, invites adventurers and foodies alike to explore its landscape and refuel with local treats like Fidgety Pie, Buxton Pudding and, of course, a large slice of Stilton.
National Cheese Day Adventure: Try this OS Maps route in the Peak District National Park:
3. Dorset Blue Vinny – Dorset
Discover Dorset Blue Vinny: A Taste of History and Adventure
Dorset Blue Vinny holds a special place in Britain’s cheesemaking heritage. Renowned for its hard crumbly texture and a distinctive tang, this blue cheese is a delight for adventurous palates. Historically, it was a staple in Dorset households going back to the 18th century and possibly further, made from skimmed milk left over after butter production.
The name “Vinny” is believed to come from the old Dorset dialect, meaning “mouldy” — a nod to the cheese’s striking blue veins. Fun fact: Dorset Blue Vinny was almost lost to history, but was revived in the 1980s by a local family passionate about preserving its legacy.
The cheese is made near Sturminster Newton and is deeply connected to Dorset, a county known for its rolling hills and coastal beauty. The fertile pastures provide the high-quality milk that gives Dorset Blue Vinny its unique flavour.
Dorset itself has so much to explore. Visit the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, for stunning walks and fossil hunting, or explore charming villages like Milton Abbas. Did you know Thomas Hardy often mentioned Dorset Blue Vinny in his novels? When you’re out exploring the area with OS Maps, pack a wedge of this historic cheese and some Dorset cider, for a tasty, local snack!
National Cheese Day Adventure: A walk around Sturminster Newton, where Blue Vinny is made:
4. Wensleydale – Yorkshire
Wensleydale: A Creamy Yorkshire Classic
Wensleydale cheese is a true British treasure with a creamy, crumbly texture and a mild, fresh flavour. Often paired with sweet treats like cranberries or honey, it’s a cheese that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Its story began over 800 years ago when Cistercian monks brought cheesemaking techniques to the Yorkshire Dales. Wensleydale remains steeped in tradition, crafted with care in this picturesque region.
Fun fact: Wensleydale cheese was famously endorsed by Wallace and Gromit, the much-loved animated duo, catapulting it to international fame! (Head here to go on a Forest Walkie with Wallace and Gromit, Ordnance Survey and Forestry England: https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/forest-walkies)
The cheese takes its name from Wensleydale, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Its lush, green pastures create the perfect environment for dairy farming, which gives the local cheese its distinctive taste.
The area is home to spectacular waterfalls like Aysgarth Falls and Hardraw Force, perfect for a scenic hike. Elsewhere, villages like Hawes, home to the Wensleydale Creamery, offer the chance to sample freshly made cheese straight from the source. Whether you’re hiking or riding, Wensleydale itself is a dream destination for cheese loving outdoor enthusiasts!
National Cheese Day Adventure: Try this OS Maps route around Wensleydale:
5. Caerphilly
Caerphilly Cheese: A Classic with a Proud Welsh Heritage
Caerphilly cheese is a traditional Welsh favourite, known for its crumbly texture and mild, slightly tangy flavour. It’s a versatile cheese, perfect for a ploughman’s lunch or melted into a hearty dish. First produced in the 1830s to meet the needs of Welsh miners, its high moisture content meant it didn’t dry out underground, its saltiness was thought to replace minerals lost through gruelling physical work and the thick rind meant it was easy to transport and could be eaten by the minor’s coal-covered hands. Fun fact: During World War II, the production of Caerphilly
Cheese was largely halted to focus on making long-lasting cheeses for the war effort, but it’s since made a proud comeback.
Caerphilly the cheese has a profound connection with its namesake town in Wales, just north of Cardiff. The cheese’s history reflects the region’s strong dairy traditions and is a product of the rich pastures which define the area. Though it’s now made more widely, its heart remains in the Welsh countryside.
The area around Caerphilly offers plenty to explore for food loving adventure seekers! Caerphilly Castle, one of Europe’s largest medieval fortresses, is a must-see for history buffs and the Caerphilly Mountains and Sirhowy Valley Country Park also offer fantastic opportunities for walking and cycling. Just be sure to pack a wedge of Caerphilly cheese and some local Welsh beer — ‘Iechyd Da’!
National Cheese Day Adventure: A Country Walking route around Twmbarlwm in Caerphilly
From the towering cliffs of Cheddar Gorge to the rolling hills of Wensleydale, Britain’s cheese regions offer so much more than just incredible flavours. These landscapes are bursting with history, charm, and OS Maps routes to explore. Whether you’re a food-lover, a hiker, a cyclist or just someone who loves a good picnic, National Cheese Lovers Day is the perfect excuse to plan your next cheese-themed countryside escape with OS Maps, Ordnance Survey’s mapping and route-planner tool on web and app. Download now.
National Cheese day is on the 20th January 2025 – plan a fun cheese themed adventure with OS Maps! (any excuse to eat more cheese right?!) Why not try a National Cheese Day winter picnic?
