A raw milk Brie-style cheese, lovingly hand-shaped and full of romantic flair
Baron Bigod is a traditional Brie-de-Meaux style cheese made by Fen Farm Dairy in Bungay, Suffolk, and stands as one of the most important and celebrated cheeses produced in the UK today. Created using raw milk from their own free-ranging Montbéliarde cows, it represents a true farmhouse cheese—made entirely on the farm, from pasture to maturation.
From the beginning, Fen Farm Dairy set out with a clear ambition: to create a Brie that could stand alongside—and even surpass—the great cheeses of France. To achieve this, they imported Montbéliarde cows, designed purpose-built cheese rooms, and spent years refining their methods, farming practices, and recipe. The result is Baron Bigod, now widely recognised as the finest Brie-de-Meaux style cheese made in Britain and one of only a handful in the world produced entirely by the farmer on their own land.
The cheesemaking process is rooted in tradition and precision. Each batch is made by hand early in the morning using fresh, warm milk straight from the cows. Cultures are added immediately, and the milk is gently gravity-fed into vats just metres from the milking parlour. The curds are carefully hand-ladled into moulds using traditional pelle-à-brie ladles, preserving their delicate structure. The young cheeses are then hand salted and matured for up to eight weeks in carefully controlled, cave-like conditions.
Beneath its delicate, nutty, mushroomy rind lies a smooth, silky paste that develops beautifully as it matures. The outer layer softens first, forming a golden, flowing breakdown, while the centre remains slightly firmer and fresh. The flavour is complex and refined—opening with rich cream and cultured butter, followed by gentle nuttiness, earthy mushroom notes, and a subtle citrus brightness that brings balance and elegance. As it matures, the texture becomes increasingly soft and luxurious, offering a deeply satisfying mouthfeel.
Baron Bigod is a pure expression of Fen Farm Dairy’s milk, their grazing marshland, and their dedication to true farmhouse cheesemaking. It stands as a landmark British cheese, recognised for its exceptional quality, depth, and sense of place.
Perfect Pairings
• Crusty sourdough or classic water biscuits
• Fresh figs, apples, or grapes
• Champagne or sparkling wine
• Crisp white wines such as Chablis
Ideal Uses
• A centrepiece for a cheeseboard
• Served at room temperature for full flavour and texture
• Baked whole for a rich, indulgent experience
• Enjoyed simply with bread and fruit
Why We Stock It
Baron Bigod is one of the defining cheeses of modern British cheesemaking. Made entirely on Fen Farm using milk from their own Montbéliarde herd, it represents exceptional craftsmanship, milk quality, and dedication.
It is cheeses like Baron Bigod that have helped redefine Britain’s reputation as a world-class cheese-producing nation.
