Your one-of-a-kind experience commences with a meet up in London for a private tour of Borough Market with the beloved guide and TV chef host Celia Brooks. Spend the afternoon with the team of experts at Neal’s Yard Dairy (NYD) for an insider’s tour of their aging caves and an exclusive look into the world of British cheese. Then, travel west for a seven-day stay at the Downton Abbey-style manor North Cadbury Court, one of the finest historic properties in Somerset, England. Guests will enjoy chef-prepared meals, tour scenic farms, and witness Cheddar making firsthand. We’ll also be hosting a grand dinner party with 15 of Britain’s most renowned cheese producers at the Court. Enjoy hands-on cooking demonstrations with your favorite British cheesemakers and French chefs, indulge in a unique golf game (from the roof of the manor house!), walk the historic grounds of Camelot and King Arthur, and explore the exciting city of Bath – home to Roman baths and Jane Austen!

Itinerary

Day One

We begin our British Cheese Odyssey at the London Bridge Hotel, Borough Market. After introductions and a brief overview, we’ll meet up with guide and food expert, Celia Brooks, to enjoy a walking tour of Borough Market – grazing on cheese and some of her favorite international foods as we experience a wonderful piece of central London’s gastronomic scene.

We’ll be welcomed to a private tour of the Neal’s Yard Dairy headquarters and cheese maturing room in Bermondsey, located in the converted railway arches of Spa Terminus, known for its rich history of food production and wholesaling. You’ll enjoy an insider’s glimpse of this fascinating world of selecting, maturating, and the global exporting of Britain’s best farmhouse cheese. See first-hand how retailers/ wholesalers, like Di Bruno Bros., work with NYD to select cheese for their customers and enjoy a tasting event featuring some of our favorite British cheeses.

We finish the day with a free evening – you can catch a late bite and a drink at your favorite London restaurant or reserve a seat at the top of The Shard. Guests stay together at London Bridge Hotel (dinner is not included in the tour).

Day Two

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for North Cadbury Court in Somerset. This exquisite 25-bedroom English manor will be our home for seven days. It has great history- linked to Jane Austen, Camelot and King Arthur, and it’s the family home to world-renowned Cheddar maker Jamie Montgomery.

Upon arriving, we’ll enjoy a chef-prepared lunch followed by an insightful overview of the “The British Cheese Renaissance” hosted by expert Patrick McGuigan in the beautiful and atmospheric North Hall. Patrick will give a fascinating insight into the cultural and social changes in English cheese.

We’ll have time to settle in, enjoy a guided tour of this recently restored historic property which was the set location for the 2007 Jane Austen film, Persuasion. Have a glass of award-winning British wine before enjoying a chef-prepared dinner of British Indian cuisine.

Day Three

After breakfast, we break up into two groups and rotate through several immersive experiences over the next two days.

Submerge yourself into the world of British clothbound cheddar, spending a dream morning with Jamie Montgomery. Walk down the road to the Montgomery farm and dairy to experience the making of Montgomery Cheddar or Ogleshield.

Enjoy hands-on cooking classes with our own Chef Sylvain in the classic British commercial kitchen at North Cadbury Court. Create traditional British pies and learn some of the chefs’ favorite recipes highlighting English cuisine.

After lunch we’ll come together and once again join Patrick McGuigan, this time for a fascinating romp through the Classics of British cheese.

They’ll be time to enjoy a relaxing swim, tennis, water volleyball or golf off the roof before we immerse ourselves in all things Cider with our expert educator Sam Wilkin; forget your Vin et Fromage, this is Cider and Cheese; a true, undiluted representation of Britain’s countryside, culture and people.

We finish our day with a chef-prepared dinner.

Day Four

After breakfast, we break up into two groups again for more immersive experiences (see Day 3).

The group comes back together for a classic British lunch and a relaxing afternoon as we anticipate the week’s exclusive gala event, “A Celebration of Cheese: An Evening with British Cheesemakers.” Experience a rare opportunity to learn from Britain’s finest cheesemakers and hear from the three cheese professionals who have been a part of our new “Curd to Counter Mentorship Program.” You’ll be learning from the best as these cheesemakers walk you through a tasting of their cheese, and experience Britian’s best sparkling and fermented apple cider and brandies produced by renowned Somerset Cider and Brandy Co. The 10-year-old Somerset Cider Brandy was featured at Harry & Meghan’s Royal wedding and Somerset Pomona has been featured on the menu at Noma in Copenhagen.

Wrap up this dream evening with a chef-prepared dinner and a digestive in the library or a game of snooker with Jamie. A beautiful opportunity to dine and learn from Britain’s best!

Day Five

After a traditional British breakfast with our guest cheesemakers, we’re honored to be joined by Andy Swinscoe of The Courtyard Dairy. Andy is an award-winning cheese shop owner who is recognized as the most notable cheesemonger, maturer and educator in the UK today. We’ll learn about Andy’s own ‘Cheese Journey’ - his story and ethos. He’ll then offer some expert tips on what to look for when buying cheese and how to wrap and care for it. We’ll then take a deep dive into the science of cheese – a ‘behind the scenes peek’ if you would – so that you are fully prepared the next time you visit your own cheesemonger!

A chef prepared lunch will be followed by some free time to appreciate the Court’s many facilities and end the afternoon with a Traditional English Cream Tea in the Library.

Enjoy a relaxing stroll around the magnificent gardens and St. Michaels, the 15th-century church situated on the grounds of the Court. Finish the day with cocktails and a chef-prepared dinner.

Day Six

We’ll travel today to meet up with Tom Calver of Westcombe Dairy, the young and dynamic cheesemaker of one of four traditional Cheddars awarded an International Presidia by the Slow Food movement. Tom will jump on the bus to give us a personal tour of the beautiful farm, get a peek at the dairy, and spend time inside the newly built cheese aging caves to see classic farmhouse Cheddars, Duckett’s Aged Caerphilly, and Westcombe Red. You’ll meet “Tina the Turner,” the rock-star robot who spends her days turning cheese! Experience a tour and tasting, while we get an inside scoop on Tom’s new charcuterie project. We’ll return to the Court to meet under Montgomery’s apple trees for an amazing Ploughman’s lunch and cider tasting with local expert Harry Derby.

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon, a game of tennis, or a little fishing at the lake before a cocktail and chef-prepared dinner.

Day Seven

You have two options for the day after breakfast: 1) A day in the Roman city of Bath exploring the history and culture of this UNESCO World Heritage City through its happening food culture. Make a stop at the Landrace Bakery, enjoy a spa at the Roman Baths, or a visit to the Jane Austen Museum, or just shopping! 2) Free time to experience the facilities at the Court. Swim, walk, have a work-out in the gym, shop in the afternoon, or just read in the library! The group rejoins late in the day for cocktails and a chef-prepared dinner.

Day Eight

We’ll meet up after breakfast today with Jamie for a fascinating walking tour of the extended area of the Montgomery estate including the dairy, pastures of Jersey cows, and the legendary castle and fortress ruins of Camelot – believed to be the home of King Arthur. It’s breathtakingly beautiful, so bring your camera! We’ll return to the Court for a light lunch and prepare to depart Somerset for Heathrow airport, at the conclusion of our tour.

Photo credits: Winter Caplanson, Mark Pickthall, and Tenaya Darlington

Disclosure: To the best of our ability, this tour itinerary is final. However, if, due to unexpected extreme weather, a schedule emergency with hosts, or limitations due to imposed travel restrictions, etc., Cheese Journeys reserves the right to substitute an event if needed. During the tour, you have the option of declining a particular excursion or tour, but we are unable to make refunds for any missed meals, classes, or events. Please see our Terms and Conditions for additional details.