10 Best Norfolk Cheeses you should have tried This Year

A celebration of the standout cheeses that defined Norfolk’s artisan scene

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect moment to look back at the cheeses that truly showcased Norfolk’s craft, creativity and dairy heritage. Across the county — from Wheatacre to Wighton, from Hockwold to Carbrooke — small-scale cheesemakers have produced some of the most expressive and exciting cheeses in the UK.

These are the 10 Norfolk cheeses you should have tried this year — cheeses that shaped cheeseboards, won loyal fans, and reminded us why Norfolk is one of Britain’s most quietly brilliant cheese regions.

1. Binham Blue – Mrs Temple’s Cheese (Wighton)

Mrs Temples Binham Blue

If there was one Norfolk cheese that earned universal admiration this year, it was Binham Blue. Buttery, mellow and beautifully balanced, its gentle veining and soft peppery warmth make it a blue cheese for everyone — even the blue-sceptical. A true Norfolk classic that never disappoints.

 

 

2. Jiffler Blue – Norfolk & Better Farm (Carbrooke, Thetford)

Jiffler Blue Cheese

A rising star from Norfolk & Better Farm, Jiffler Blue brought something new to the county’s cheese scene this year: a blue that’s creamy, mild and elegant, with just enough tang to keep things interesting. Perfect on a cheeseboard or melted into sauces, it quickly became a customer favourite. Jiffler Blue was also awarded a Gold Medal at the British & Irish Cheese Awards

 

3. Wells Alpine – Mrs Temple’s Cheese (Wighton)

Wells Alpine - Norfolk Deli

Wells Alpine proved again this year why it’s one of Norfolk’s most exceptional cheeses. Nutty, sweet, toasty and full of warm caramel notes, it’s everything you love about Alpine-style cheeses — but made right here in Norfolk. A cheese that improves and deepens every week it matures.

 

4. Breckland Brie – Norfolk & Better Farm (Carbrooke, Thetford)

Breckland Brie - Norfolk Deli

Soft, smooth and wonderfully creamy, Breckland Brie was one of this year’s most popular soft cheeses. Its silky interior and gentle bloomy rind make it approachable and crowd-pleasing — perfect for grazing boards, picnics, or simply enjoying with crusty bread.

 

5. Norfolk Dapple – Ferndale Farm (Saham Toney)

The Norfolk Executive - Norfolk Deli

Norfolk Dapple continued its reign as one of the county’s most distinctive hard cheeses. With its crumbly texture, tangy edge and rich, savoury depth, it brought a true farmhouse authenticity to cheeseboards across the year. Proper Norfolk character in every bite.

 

 

6. Norfolk Mardler – Fielding Cottage (Honing)

The Ultimate East Anglian Cheese Experience - Norfolk Deli

Fresh, bright and clean, Norfolk Mardler has long been the gateway for people discovering goat’s cheese — and this year it continued to convert countless sceptics. Silky and mild with a gentle lactic tang, it shines in everything from salads to tarts to simple crackers.

 

 

7. Wissington – Wilton Farm (Hockwold, Thetford)

Wissington - Norfolk Deli

A quiet achiever, Wissington is one of the most refined soft cheeses Norfolk has to offer. Velvety, lactic and delicately tangy, it impressed customers all year with its subtle depth and exceptional texture. A cheese that proves simple can still be brilliant.

 

 

8. St Jude – St Jude Dairy Farm (Wheatacre)

St Jude Cheese

St Jude continued to cement its reputation as one of Britain’s best soft cheeses. This raw-milk, geotrichum-rinded beauty is mousse-soft, gently tangy and increasingly rich as it ripens. Loved by Michelin-starred chefs and cheesemongers alike, it’s a standout Norfolk cheese every single year.

 

 

9. Walsingham – Mrs Temple’s Cheese (Wighton)

Walsingham' Cheese - Norfolk Deli

Walsingham proved once again why it’s one of Norfolk’s most dependable cheeses. Semi-hard, smooth and gently savoury, it melts beautifully and tastes fantastic in everything from toasties to quiches to cheese sauces. A versatile kitchen and cheeseboard staple.

 

 

10. St Helena – St Jude Dairy Farm (Wheatacre)

St Helena - Norfolk Deli

A washed-rind star with true Norfolk finesse. St Helena offered buttery, nutty and lightly savoury notes throughout the year, developing a deeper, more aromatic character as it matured. For fans of Reblochon or Taleggio, this cheese was a revelation — refined, complex and delicately funky.

 

 

Why These Cheeses Defined the Year

What connects all ten cheeses isn’t just flavour — it’s craftsmanship, place and personality. These are cheeses shaped by:

  • Norfolk landscapes and pasture

  • small herds and high-welfare farming

  • traditional, hands-on methods

  • makers who truly understand their milk

  • seasons, maturation, and patient craft

Each one tells a story about Norfolk’s vibrant food culture — a culture powered by passion, integrity and genuine artisan skill.

Taste the Best of Norfolk

All of these cheeses are available from our Hunstanton deli or online cheese counter, hand-cut to order and delivered nationwide.

Explore Norfolk cheeses → www.norfolk-deli.co.uk

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