Our Christmas orders are now closed. You can still buy our Cheese Subscriptions to start in January, as well as book our courses and tasting events. If you want to purchase vouchers you can do so until the 20th December but please note that it can take up to 48 hours for the vouchers to be emailed to you as we process these manually.
We have a full counter of cheese in our shop in Pangbourne so you can still come in and purchase items in store
Price range: £3.80 through £22.80
Single Gloucester is a lighter and younger cheese than its big brother Double. It has a fresh, sometimes nutty taste, which can be slightly more acidic than the Double. Made using pure Gloucester milk it’s a stunning quintessential British cheese.
Jonathan Crump’s Single Gloucester PDO cheese is a real gem of British cheesemaking. It’s made by hand and you can really taste the care that goes into it. If you want a cheese that’s full of Gloucestershire character and history, this is the one to try.
Single Gloucester cheese has been around for centuries here in Gloucestershire, where the fields are green and the cows are happy. Some say it dates back to the 16th century, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s even older than that.
The name “Single Gloucester” comes from the old way of making it with milk from just one milking (hence the “single”). Double Gloucester is the one most people know, t’s richer and firmer, but Single Gloucester is still a real treasure for anyone who loves traditional British cheese. Traditionally Single Gloucester was made by farmers’ wives and kept on the farm for the family to eat. As it wasn’t for sale, they didn’t colour it like the Double Gloucester and it was eaten at a younger stage. This meant that it retained a creamy mellowness which is hard to match.
Jonathan Crump is one of the main cheesemakers keeping Single Gloucester alive today. He sticks to the old ways but isn’t afraid to try something new to keep the cheese tasting its best. His Single Gloucester is a lovely nod to tradition and a real treat for cheese lovers.
Single Gloucester got its PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status back in 1996, which means it has to be made right here in Gloucestershire, using milk from Gloucester cows. Jonathan’s whole herd are Gloucesters, so you know you’re getting the real deal.
The Gloucester cows themselves are extremely docile, as well as being lovely to look at. They have a white stripe that goes down their backs, over their tails and under their bellies! Gloucester cows are one of Britain’s oldest and rarest breeds. In 1972, there was only one herd left in Britain, but the breed is now flourishing thanks to its milk, which is ideal for cheesemaking. If you ever see these cows in the fields, you’ll know you’re in proper cheese country!
Jonathan Crump’s Single Gloucester is a real treat. It’s pale yellow, a bit crumbly but still creamy, and has that lovely firm texture that just gets better as it matures. The flavour is gentle and welcoming; proper English cheesemaking at its best.
The flavour is balanced and elegant, starting off buttery and sweet, then giving way to a gentle tang. It’s rich but never too much, and the texture is smooth and melts away nicely. As it ages, you’ll notice hints of grass and earth from the pastures where the cows graze, and a little nuttiness comes through too. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a touch of lactic sweetness.
All in all, Jonathan Crump’s Single Gloucester is a classic with a twist. I always feel that you can really taste the care and history in every bite. It’s mild but still has plenty going on, so it’s just as good on its own as it is on a cheeseboard with friends.
Jen’s note: We were visiting Gloucestershire a few years ago and we turned up on Jonathan’s farm completely out of the blue! Jonathan showed us around and introduced us to his herd of pure breed Gloucester cows. We tasted his cheeses and decided there and then to stock them. We loved Jonathan’s ethos, his farming principles and the fact that all of the left-over whey from the cheesemaking went to feed his Gloucester Old Spot Pigs!
Sizes and Prices
Storage Advice
Delivery and Collection
Ingredients (Allergens are listed in capitals)
MILK, salt, starter cultures, vegetarian rennet
Normal opening Monday – Saturday 9am – 4pm until:
Sunday 22nd 9am – 4pm
Monday 23rd 9am – 4pm
Christmas Eve 9am – 12pm
Christmas Day Closed
Boxing Day Closed
Friday 27th Closed
Saturday 28th 9am – 4pm
Sunday 29th Closed
Monday 30th 9am – 2pm
Tuesday 31st 9am – 2pm
New Year’s Day Closed
Thursday 2nd January Closed
Friday 3rd 9am – 4pm then open as normal
After Christmas our courier delivery slots start from 8th January.
