Curworthy Cheese
Stockbeare Farm, Jacobstowe, Okehampton, EX20 3PZ
Member Overview
What is Curworthy Cheese?
Curworthy Cheese is one of Devon's most celebrated farmhouse cheesemakers, producing traditional handmade cheese at Stockbeare Farm near Okehampton since 1987. Nestled in the lush mid-Devon countryside beneath Dartmoor, Curworthy combines generations of cheesemaking knowledge with carefully sourced local milk to create distinctive, award-winning cheeses.
Founded by Rachel Stephens and now led by head cheesemaker Richard Drake, the business remains committed to small-batch production, traditional recipes and authentic farmhouse methods that have made Curworthy a favourite among cheese lovers across the South West and beyond.
What does Curworthy Cheese offer?
Curworthy Cheese produces a range of handcrafted cheeses made using pasteurised milk from a single local herd at Dunstaple Farm near Holsworthy. Every cheese is carefully crafted, pressed and matured to develop its characteristic flavour and texture.
The range includes:
- Curworthy Original - the classic full-fat farmhouse cheese
- Devon Oke - a longer-matured cheese with a richer flavour
- Belstone - a vegetarian variation
- Meldon - flavoured varieties, including options such as chilli or cumin
- Devon Maid - a soft brie/camembert-style cheese
Customers can expect cheeses with a creamy, buttery character when young, developing into a fuller, mellow flavour as they mature.
Our Specialities
- Traditional Devon farmhouse cheese
- Curworthy Original
- Devon Oke
- Belstone vegetarian cheese
- Meldon flavoured cheeses
- Devon Maid soft cheese
- Handmade artisan cheese
- Small-batch cheesemaking
- Traditional cheese truckles
- Devon cheeseboard favourites
- Award-winning British cheese
Why Choose Curworthy Cheese?
Curworthy Cheese stands apart through its commitment to traditional farmhouse cheesemaking. Every cheese is produced using time-honoured methods including curd cutting, stirring, scalding, overnight pressing and controlled maturation.
Key reasons customers choose Curworthy include:
- Milk sourced from a single local herd
- Handmade on a Devon family farm
- No artificial colouring or preservatives
- Traditional recipes dating back generations
- Slow maturation for exceptional flavour
- Strong local provenance and traceability
The result is a cheese that reflects the landscape, farming heritage and craftsmanship of rural Devon.
Where Can You Find Curworthy Cheese?
You'll find Curworthy Cheese at Stockbeare Farm, near the village of Jacobstowe, just outside Okehampton in West Devon. Set beneath the skyline of Dartmoor, this family-run farm has been producing traditional handmade farmhouse cheese since 1987.
Opening Hours
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
Curworthy Cheese | Devon Farmhouse Cheese | Artisan Cheese Devon | Okehampton Cheese Maker | Devon Oke Cheese | Handmade Cheese Devon | Traditional Cheesemaking | Dartmoor Cheese | Somerset & Devon Cheese Board | Farmhouse Cheese UK | Devon Maid Cheese | British Artisan Cheese | Local Produce Devon | Cheesemaker Devon | Food Drink Devon Member
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Curworthy Cheese?
Curworthy Cheese is a traditional Devon farmhouse cheesemaker based at Stockbeare Farm near Okehampton, where handmade cheeses have been produced since 1987. Using time-honoured methods and locally sourced milk, the business creates a range of artisan cheeses that reflect Devon's rich cheesemaking heritage.
What makes Curworthy Cheese special?
Curworthy Cheese is still made using traditional farmhouse techniques, including curd cutting, stirring, overnight pressing and careful maturation. The cheese is produced in small batches and contains no artificial colouring or preservatives, with only salt added for flavour and longevity.
Where does your milk come from?
All Curworthy cheeses are made using pasteurised milk from a single local herd at Dunstaple Farm near Holsworthy. The milk is delivered fresh after milking each morning, ensuring quality, consistency and traceability.
What cheeses do you produce?
The Curworthy range includes:
Curworthy Original – the classic full-fat farmhouse cheese
Devon Oke – a longer-matured cheese with a deeper flavour
Belstone – a vegetarian version of Curworthy
Meldon – flavoured varieties including options such as chilli and cumin
Devon Maid – a soft brie/camembert-style cheese
Curworthy Original – the classic full-fat farmhouse cheese
Devon Oke – a longer-matured cheese with a deeper flavour
Belstone – a vegetarian version of Curworthy
Meldon – flavoured varieties including options such as chilli and cumin
Devon Maid – a soft brie/camembert-style cheese
What does Curworthy Cheese taste like?
Young Curworthy has a creamy, light, buttery flavour with a supple texture. As it matures, it develops a fuller, richer and more mellow character while retaining its distinctive farmhouse style
What is Devon Oke?
Devon Oke is Curworthy's most popular mature cheese. Aged for longer than the original Curworthy, it develops a richer flavour and firmer texture while maintaining the smooth, creamy characteristics for which the cheese is known.
Do you make vegetarian cheese?
Yes. Belstone is the vegetarian version of Curworthy Cheese and is made using vegetarian-friendly ingredients while retaining the same handcrafted quality.
Do you make soft cheese?
Yes. Devon Maid is a soft cheese inspired by traditional brie and camembert styles and forms part of the Curworthy range.
Do your cheeses contain preservatives?
No. Curworthy Cheese contains no artificial preservatives or colourings. Salt is the only additive used, helping to enhance flavour and preserve the cheese naturally
How long has Curworthy Cheese been making cheese?
Curworthy Cheese was founded in 1987 by Rachel Stephens and has been producing traditional farmhouse cheese for more than 30 years. Cheesemaking continues today under the guidance of Richard Drake and a skilled local team.
Is Curworthy Cheese handmade?
Yes. Every cheese is handcrafted using traditional methods that combine generations of cheesemaking knowledge with modern quality controls.
Where can I buy Curworthy Cheese?
Curworthy Cheese is stocked by:
Specialist cheese shops
Farm shops
Delicatessens
Farmers' markets
Agricultural shows and food events
Stockists include Country Cheeses (Tavistock, Totnes and Topsham), The Cheese Shed in Bovey Tracey and Moorland Dairy in Chagford, among many others.
Specialist cheese shops
Farm shops
Delicatessens
Farmers' markets
Agricultural shows and food events
Stockists include Country Cheeses (Tavistock, Totnes and Topsham), The Cheese Shed in Bovey Tracey and Moorland Dairy in Chagford, among many others.
Can I order directly from Curworthy Cheese?
Yes. Curworthy Cheese offers direct enquiries and mail-order services through its website.
Why do customers love Curworthy Cheese?
Customers love Curworthy Cheese for its creamy texture, distinctive farmhouse flavour, traditional production methods and strong Devon provenance. Made with local milk and crafted slowly by hand, it remains one of Devon's most respected and recognisable artisan cheeses.