Curworthy Cheese- Traditional Devon Farmhouse Cheese • Handmade at Stockbeare Farm • Since 1987

Curworthy Cheese is one of Devon’s most iconic farmhouse cheeses, produced for over 30 years at Stockbeare Farm, near Okehampton, in the lush mid‑Devon countryside. With Dartmoor on the horizon and a climate ideal for grass growing, Curworthy has become a celebrated example of traditional British cheesemaking. [curworthyc...eese.co.uk]

The cheese was first developed by pioneer Rachel Stephens, and the craft continues today on the family farm, where Rachel and now head cheesemaker Richard Drake maintain the same hands‑on, small‑batch methods rooted in 17th‑century recipes.

How It’s Made

Curworthy is produced using pasteurised milk from a single local herd at Dunstaple Farm in Holsworthy, delivered fresh each morning after milking.

The process includes:

Traditional curd cutting, stirring and scalding
Overnight pressing in old‑style cheese presses
Ageing in temperature‑controlled ripening rooms
No colouring or preservatives added — only salt for flavour and longevity

Flavour & Style

Curworthy is a full‑fat, hard cheese with a creamy, light buttery taste when young, developing into full‑flavoured mellowness as it matures. The texture is: Creamy, supple and open when younger. Firmer and more robust with age. This places it between a traditional hard British cheese and something slightly creamier and smoother than a cheddar.

The Curworthy Range

Curworthy is made in a series of recognised varieties:

Curworthy (Original)-Classic full‑fat hard cheese, available in small truckles or larger wheels.

Devon Oke (Most Popular) Aged for longer (approx. 4.5kg wheels), delivering a richer, more mature depth of flavour.

Belstone: A vegetarian variation of Curworthy.
Meldon- A flavoured cheese variation (one of several, including chilli or cumin).
Devon Maid -A soft cheese — brie/camembert style — added more recently to the range.

Heritage & Story

Curworthy began in 1987, when Rachel Stephens started making cheese at Stockbeare Farm based on traditional techniques learned at a neighbouring farm.
Cheesemaking has been passed through the family, with son‑in‑law Richard Drake now overseeing production, supported by a small team of local farmers’ wives.
The cheese remains handmade, combining historical methods and modern equipment to maintain consistency and quality.

Where to Find Curworthy

Curworthy cheeses are widely stocked in:

Specialist cheese shops and delicatessens
Farmers' markets across the South West
Country shows and agricultural fairs

Local outlets include Country Cheeses (Tavistock, Totnes, Topsham), Moorland Dairy (Chagford), The Cheese Shed (Bovey Tracey), various village shops, and multiple Devon farm shops.

Why It’s Loved

Deep roots in Devon’s farmhouse cheesemaking heritage
Distinctive creamy‑to‑mellow flavour profile
Entirely hand‑crafted using slow, traditional methods
Commitment to local milk sourcing and zero artificial additives
A versatile range including both classic and flavoured cheeses

Traditional Devon Farmhouse Cheese | artisan cheese | Devon made

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