Cheese Tastings in London

The magical process of transforming milk into cheese has been perfected by the Brits. Not especially lauded for their cuisine, English cheeses defy this unfair reputation. London cheesemongers feature creations that have tantalized taste buds for hundreds of years with British specialties and contributions from London’s immigrant communities.

Savor cheeses ranging from mild to pungent, soft to crumbly, and British originals to delicacies from around the world. Stroll among the famed London neighborhoods, or venture into the countryside to see cheese and wine making at the source on a cheese tasting tour in London.

Here's all you need to know about cheese tastings, one of the most captivating gastronomic experiences in London.

What are the best cheese tasting tours in London?

London cheese tasting tours

Taste your way through the British capital’s most legendary areas on a walking cheese tasting tour. Take in the sights with tasty pauses at the best cheesemongers and delis. Small groups of eight to 10 people make hearing the guide and traveling from site to site easy and fun. With advance notice, these tours can even cater to vegans!

These 2-hour walking tours cover 3 to 4 kilometers and combine sightseeing with samples of the country’s best cheeses. Make your way from Green Park to Covent Garden, Soho and Piccadilly Square to try a handful of soft and hard cheeses. Along the way, enjoy a history lesson about your surroundings.

Spy where the Royal family buys their cheeses, and sample at Winston Churchill’s favorite purveyor. Try cheddars, goat cheeses, blue cheeses and Italian varieties in Little Italy. A glass of sparkling wine, included in the tour, will enhance the flavors as well as your experience in general.

English wine and cheese tasting tours

Head into the rolling countryside on the outskirts of London. The region of Kent boasts some of England’s best soils and a moderate climate. Vineyards and dairies dot the county, making a farm-hopping day trip here simple.

You’ll stop at organic farms and wineries to explore and enjoy some wine tasting. Relax over a locally-sourced lunch paired with wine.

Which places are visited?

Hit London’s top neighborhoods and lesser-known boroughs for stops in delis, artisan cheese shops and the storied Fortnum & Mason department store. Try creations like truffle cheese, matured goat cheese, baked camembert, Italian specialties and the quintessentially British stilton.

Your tour may pay a visit to the centuries-old shop Paxton and Whitfield or relative newcomer Neil’s Yard Dairy in Covent Garden. Get to know uncommon Italian concoctions like “fiore sardo” or “sottocenere al tartufo” at Soho’s Lina Delicatessen. Their “drunken cheeses”, aged in wine or beer, will surprise and delight your palate.

Along with the nibbles, learn about the importance of cheese in London’s past. Soak up all the information you can, because you’ll test your memory with a trivia quiz at the end of your experience.

The highlight of your outing is a walk through 300-year-old Fortnum and Mason to their celebrated cheese counter. The Wayfair neighborhood department store is a favorite of the Royal family and sells literal tons of stilton every December for the holidays.

English wine and cheese excursions whisk you off to North Kent Downs for the county’s gustatory gems. See how southern English vineyards grow grapes perfectly adapted for the northern climate. Sip Wayfarer Wines’ whites, rosés and sparkling elixirs before a vineyard tour and tasting at Chapel Down Vineyard.

After a pub or picnic lunch paired with local wines, move on to Silcock’s Farm. This organic grower produces meats and dairy products, and you’ll nibble Boresisle, St Michael’s Blue and more at their bucolic facility. Learn the alchemy of cheesemaking with a tour of the dairy, and purchase your favorites for later at their shop.

How much do the best cheese tasting tours in London cost?

London cheese tasting tours cost from £35 per person to £45 per person. You’ll have five or more tastings, a glass of sparkling wine, a bottle of water and the leadership of an informative guide. Higher-cost tours cap group sizes at 10 to 15 people but are often much smaller.

English wine and cheese tasting tours cost around £150 per person. Transportation, lunch, guided visits to sites and a generous amount of wine and cheese tastings come with your price. All tours plan for time to purchase any items that especially appealed to you.

What is included?

London cheese tasting tours include more than five cheese tastings, and most also serve a glass of British wine. As you pass through noteworthy corners of the town, your guide will fill you in about the areas’ history along with cheesy facts.

Breads and crackers are provided with the tastings as well as a bottle of water. You will need to purchase an Oyster Card for public transportation before your tour, as you will be reaching more distant parts of London by tube. Oyster Cards start at £15 per person and grant you access to a variety of London attractions and services.

English wine and cheese tasting tours include transportation from London to nearby areas, tastings of six wines paired with six cheeses and a pub or picnic lunch. You’ll also take a full tour of a vineyard and a dairy.

Tour guides offer pickup from your London accommodations for an extra cost. Inquire about the price at the time of booking if necessary.

Where does it start?

Walking cheese tasting tours start in Green Park near Buckingham Palace. You’ll meet at the statue of the Goddess Diana. English wine and cheese tours start at the London Bridge tube station.

How long does it last?

You’ll spend about 2 hours on a walking cheese tasting tour in London. English cheese tours last 8 hours. Tour providers ask that you arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the start of your tour.

Is it wheelchair friendly?

Some London cheese tasting tours are wheelchair friendly while others are not. Most walking tours can’t accommodate people with limited mobility. It is worth checking with tour providers at the time of booking. However, English cheese tours are wheelchair-accessible.

When is the best time for a cheese tasting in London?

The best time to visit London's cheese shops is during quiet periods, such as weekdays or mornings, allowing for a more personalized and immersive cheese tasting experience. Many specialty shops and markets create festive cheese displays, offering an assortment of seasonal cheeses and accompaniments during Christmas time.

Attending The London Cheese Project festival during the spring will allow you to sample a wide range of cheeses and learn about different varieties in the company of many artisanal cheese producers.

Which other gastronomic experiences can be done in London?

• Food tours in London
• Dinners in London
• Tea experiences in London
• Chocolate tastings in London
• Beer tastings in London
• Wine tastings in London

Travel tips

• Cheesemongers possess extensive knowledge about the cheeses they sell and can provide valuable insights and recommendations.
• Cheese tastings are even more enjoyable when paired with complementary food and beverages. Consider trying cheese with different accompaniments such as bread, crackers, fruit, honey, chutney, or even a glass of wine or beer.
• Pace yourself and take small bites to savor the flavors and avoid overwhelming your palate.
• Have some water nearby to cleanse your palate between different cheeses. Sipping water helps to neutralize the flavors and prepare your taste buds for the next tasting.
• When attending tastings or visiting cheese shops, be mindful of the etiquettes. Use the serving utensils provided, avoid touching cheeses with your hands, and be considerate of others who are also tasting.