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: £3.70 through £22.20
Kirkham’s Lancashire is so much more than just a cheese. It’s a slice of history and a real taste of Lancashire’s farming heritage. Whether you pop it on a cheeseboard, pair it with your favourite drink, or just sneak a bit from the fridge (which I do more often than I should), it sums up everything I love about traditional British cheesemaking. Tangy, creamy, and packed with character; what’s not to love? I can’t wait for my next slice.
Lancashire cheeses are generally labelled Creamy or Tasty. Creamy cheeses are matured for 1 to 3 months, whereas Tasty cheeses are matured for 3 months to 1 year. Some factory-made variations call themselves Crumbly Lancashires; these tend to have a less refined flavour profile than the farmhouse cheeses.
Graham Kirkham is the 3rd generation of his family still using the traditional methods that make this award-winning cheese so wonderful. With 100 dairy cows, a large new dairy has been built to meet demand for high-quality cheese.
Made over two days, the evening milk is stored, and while the morning’s milk is still warm from milking, it is combined with the previous day’s. The milk then goes straight into the vat for making. All cheeses are cloth-bound and buttered, allowing them to breathe as they mature for 2-3 months. The result is that lovely buttery, yoghurty flavour and a light, fluffy texture that just disappears as you eat it. Graham also produces a Vintage Lancashire, which we sometimes have in as a guest cheese.
The Kirkhams are now the last farmhouse in Lancashire still making raw-milk Lancashire cheese, which gives their cheese a real sense of authenticity. Everything is made by the Kirkhams themselves in Goosnargh, just north of Preston. Every step is done by hand, right there on the farm.
Lancashire cheese itself dates back to the 13th century, but it nearly vanished in recent times. During the Second World War, it was actually banned because it took longer to make than Cheshire and Cheddar. Back in 1939, there were 200 farms making creamy Lancashire cheese; after the war, they all stopped.
Kirkham’s Lancashire is a real treat if you like your cheese with a bit of character. It’s soft and crumbly, but also creamy and moist; just as Lancashire cheese should be. The rind is the colour of straw, and the inside is a lovely ivory. It always looks so inviting on a cheeseboard.
Every time I have Kirkham’s Lancashire, I seem to notice something new. It’s always tangy, but there’s a gentle sweetness that balances things out. It’s got such complexity, with a silky richness that lingers. Sometimes there’s a hint of earthiness, which I like to imagine comes from those lush pastures the cows graze on. That mix of creaminess and intensity means it works beautifully in all sorts of dishes.
Texture-wise, it’s crumbly but never dry, with just the right amount of moisture to set it apart from other hard cheeses. That balance between creamy and crumbly is what makes Kirkham’s Lancashire so moreish. I always seem to go back for another slice (and another…)
Jen’s note: Although I’ve written some pairing ideas already, to be totally honest, you cannot beat Eccles Cake with Lancashire Cheese. My uncle would always serve the two together for afternoon tea and I love it!
Sizes and Prices
Storage Advice
Delivery and Collection
Ingredients (Allergens are listed in capitals)
MILK, salt, starter cultures, 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.
