Wookey Hole cave-aged cheddar marks 20 years with award

By Laura Linham 7th Aug 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 2 hours ago

Wookey Hole Cave-Aged Cheddar is celebrating 20 years since the first truckles were lowered into the famous Somerset caves, with an award providing a suitably cheesy birthday present. The cheese has been named Champion Cheddar at the 2026 International Cheese & Dairy Awards after two decades of maturing around 200 feet underground at Wookey Hole.

Made by Ford Farm Cheesemakers, part of AJ and RG Barber, the traditional clothbound cheddar uses milk from West Country herds. Its makers say the naturally cool temperature and high humidity inside the caves help create the cheese's earthy, nutty flavour and firm texture.

The idea of taking cheddar back underground came from a collaboration between showman Gerry Cottle and cheesemaker Mike Pullin 20 years ago. The name Wookey Hole Cave-Aged Cheddar was created to link the cheese directly with its Somerset home and give visitors the chance to see where it is matured.

"My family always talked about how, years ago on the Mendips, cheese was kept in caves before refrigeration," said Mr Pullin, director at AJ and RG Barber. "Bringing cheddar back into the caves felt like reconnecting with that tradition – and we've spent the last 20 years proving just how special that environment is for flavour."

The anniversary comes with another addition to the trophy cabinet after the cheese was named Champion Cheddar at this year's International Cheese & Dairy Awards. Organisers say the 2026 competition attracted more than 4,000 entries, while Wookey Hole's producers said the award put their cheese ahead of a large field of cheddar entries.

Mr Pullin said: "There are thousands of cheeses on those judging tables, including all the big-name cheddars. To come out as Champion Cheddar this year shows just how exceptional the Wookey Hole cave-matured cheese really is."

Chris Goodchild, general manager at Wookey Hole, said few cheeses could claim to mature inside one of Britain's best-known caves. He said the attraction was "thrilled" to celebrate the 20-year milestone and proud of the caves' role in producing a Somerset cheese sold across the UK and overseas.

It is not the first major recognition for the underground cheddar. In 2011, the cheese was named the supreme winner across all cheese categories in Britain, a success its producers say helped raise its national profile and secure space on major retailers' shelves.

Around 300 to 400 tonnes of Wookey Hole Cave-Aged Cheddar are now produced each year, according to its makers. It is sold through retailers including Tesco, M&S, Waitrose and Costco, alongside independent delis, farm shops and regional markets, and is also exported internationally.

Visitors to Wookey Hole can see the cheese maturing inside the caves during a visit. The attraction's Wookey Uncovered experience also includes a cave-aged cheddar and Somerset cider tasting, while more information is available from Wookey Hole and Ford Farm.