Family-run cheese producer preserving artisanal techniques.
Belton Farm, a family-run cheese producer nestled in the Shropshire countryside of England, has been steeped in traditional cheesemaking since 1922. The company has preserved artisanal techniques passed down through generations and is renowned for its award-winning British cheeses, including the iconic Cheshire cheese, which marked the beginning for the Beckett family.
“My grandfather came to Belton Farm in 1922 as a student before eventually taking on the tenancy, buying the farm, and continuing the cheesemaking tradition,” explains Justin Beckett, managing director. “Cheshire cheese has been made at Belton for over 200 years.”
Belton Farm produces a diverse range of cheeses, including classic British territorials, vat-made additive cheeses, and contemporary varieties. This includes Cheshire, Wensleydale, Lancashire, Caerphilly, Red Leicester, Organic Cheddar, Double Gloucester, Double Gloucester with Onion & Chive, Sage Derby, Port Wine Derby, and the flagship Red Fox range. Red Fox features the aged Red Leicester with a distinctive crunch, along with Smoked Red Fox and the new Silver Fox, a Vintage Cheddar that is typically aged for 18 months.
A UNIQUE APPROACH
Belton Farm is quite different from other cheddar factories and dairies today. For instance, Belton Farm is not highly automated, instead using traditional recipes and equipment to ensure the cheese flavor remains consistent with its history.
“We are still using open curd tables, overnight pressing for 18 hours and our cheesemakers are still working the curd,” says Beckett. “For varieties like Port Wine Derby and Sage Derby, we add ingredients directly to the curds on open tables, which significantly impacts the final cheese. It’s a truly unique process.”
The company continues to expand its operations, recently adding specialist cutting and packing facilities to become a one-stop shop. “We’re fortunate to have a fantastic site, where we’ve repurposed many of the old farm buildings,” adds Beckett.
It also utilizes only the very best, locally sourced, ingredients.
“Our milk comes from Belton Farm’s dedicated group of local dairy farmers (within 25 miles) who pride themselves on the quality of their grass-fed milk, along with the health and welfare of their cows,” says Beckett. “We source our salt from the historic local Cheshire salt mines, but our bespoke cultures are unique to Belton Farm and a closely guarded secret.”
All cows are free-range and grass-fed and outdoors for a minimum of 180 days, as well.
“We believe the cheese we make here would be difficult to recreate somewhere else because of the freshness of our milk,” says Beckett.
AWARD-WINNING CHEESE
Belton Farm’s dedication to quality is reflected in its award-winning cheeses. This year, the company has garnered 79 awards across various competitions, including the British Cheese Awards and the International Cheese and Dairy Awards.
“We’re incredibly proud of our awards and the success we’ve achieved,” says Alison Taylor, marketing manager. “Our expert cheese graders carefully select the best cheeses for competitions, which highlights the consistent quality we strive for.”
One of Belton’s standout creations is Red Fox, an aged Red Leicester with a rich, complex, and slightly sweet flavor, complemented by delightful crunchy crystals.
“Introduced in 2012, Red Fox’s unique recipe and skill of our cheesemakers have contributed to its success,” says Beckett.
The newly introduced Silver Fox, a Vintage Cheddar matured for 18 months, has also been extremely well-received, winning gold at the British Cheese Awards and the International Cheese and Dairy Awards.
SUSTAINABLE MINDSET
Belton Farm is dedicated to sustainable practices, working with local dairy farmers who focus on animal welfare and environmental sustainability. These farmers ensure high-quality milk while maintaining a carbon footprint 6% lower than the U.K. average.
“We’ve been collaborating on carbon footprinting since 2013 and continue to support our farmers in reducing their environmental impact,” says Beckett.
On-site, Belton Farm has been carbon footprinting since 2009, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and installing solar panels to produce up to 2.5 MW of electricity. The company is also focused on water conservation and wastewater reuse, aiming for net-zero emissions in the future.
A STRONG TEAM
As of 2024, Belton Farm employs 125 individuals, many of whom have been with the company for decades. The proximity to the historic town of Whitchurch allows many employees to walk or cycle to work.
“During the pandemic, we were fortunate to continue operations and witnessed incredible loyalty from our team,” says Beckett. “We’re celebrating 40 years with one of our cheesemakers, and we’ve seen multiple generations of families work for us over the years.”
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Looking ahead, Belton Farm will continue to bring new cheese to market when it makes sense and expects to grow exponentially over the next decade.
“We listen to our customers and pay attention to the market and what people are looking for, which is what led us to develop Silver Fox,” says Taylor. “As a team, we are very focused on what’s next and giving people what they want.”
