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 - Sunday

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 firsthand how retailers 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 - Monday

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 “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 also the set location for the 2007 Jane Austen film, “Persuasion.” Have a glass of award-winning British wine before enjoying a dinner of British Indian cuisine prepared by Chefs Sylvain and Angelica.

Day Three - Tuesday

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

Spend a dream morning with Jamie Montgomery as you submerge yourself into the world of British clothbound cheddar. We’ll 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 education on “The Modern Classics” where Patrick will be showcasing the innovation in British cheese in the last 20 years.

They’ll be time to enjoy a relaxing swim, tennis, water volleyball or golf off the roof before we immerse ourselves in all thing’s cider with our expert educator Sam Wilkin; we are in Cider County after all; a true, undiluted representation of Britain’s countryside, culture and people. We’ll finish our day with a chef-prepared dinner.

Day Four - Wednesday

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 cheese professionals who have been a part of our “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 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 fabulous 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 - Thursday

After a traditional British breakfast with our guest cheesemakers, we’re honored to be joined by Tracey Colley, Director of Operations at the Academy of Cheese. We’ll learn how the Academy became such an influence in the global cheese industry promoting cheese education and knowledge, and how its courses educate both consumers and professionals through four levels of certification. We’ll also learn about Tracey’s own ‘Cheese Journey’ from being an award-winning cheesemonger to a founding director of the Academy. Next, Tracey will be joined by our own Jilly Sitch and together they’ll offer some expert tips on what to look for when buying cheese, how to wrap and care for it, and show you how to build the ultimate cheeseboard so you’ll be 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, or pop along with Jilly to ‘Teals’, a local, award-winning farm shop complete with a food market, bakery, bottle store, plus a gift and book section.

We’ll 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 - Friday

We’ll travel today to meet up with Tom Calver and his father, Richard, of Westcombe Dairy. Tom, the young and dynamic cheesemaker of one of four traditional Cheddars awarded an International Presidia by the Slow Food movement. Tom and Richard 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, bakery collaboration and beer making! We’ll return to the Court to meet under Montgomery’s apple trees for an amazing Picnic Lunch and cider tasting with local expert Harry Derby.

After lunch we’ll meet up 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. We’ll end our day with a relaxing cocktail as Jamie tells us the story of Camelot and North Cadbury Court followed by a Chef-prepared dinner.

Day Seven - Saturday

After breakfast, you have two options for the day: 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, visit the Jane Austen Museum, or just go shopping! 2) Free time to experience the facilities at the Court. Swim, walk, have a workout 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 - Sunday

We’ll meet up after breakfast for an optional visit to The Newt of Somerset, a working, country estate with magnificent flower and vegetable gardens, orchards, woodlands and a deer park. There you can walk the gardens, do a little last-minute souvenir shopping or simply people watch in the Café which is situated in a stunning Victorian glass conservatory.

We’ll return to the Court for a light lunch and prepare to depart Somerset for Heathrow airport, and the conclusion of our tour.

DISCLOSURE

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.