Quicke’s Cheese

Quicke’s Cheese, beautifully hand-crafted here in Mid Devon.

Taste Mid Devon: From Field to Fork

Quicke’s is a family-owned artisan cheese producer with a heritage that spans generations. Nestled in the heart of the Mid Devon countryside, they have been farming here since 1540 and producing award-winning cheese since 1973.

Interestingly, we have Anne Boleyn to thank for the creation of Quickes Cheese. It was because of her that Henry VIII fell out with the Catholic Church, dissolved the monasteries and reallocated their land. Some of that land – a particularly beautiful stretch near Newton St Cyres in Devon, to be precise – he allotted to a chap called Thomas Bidwell. And when a distant Quicke ancestor, Richard Quicke, walked Thomas’ daughter Elizabeth up the aisle of the local church, the Quicke family became established in this green and very pleasant corner of Devon.

Today Mary and Jane Quicke run the cheese business, they are mother and daughter and 14^th / 15^th generation Quickes! They use the same time-honoured methods and recipes that have been passed down throughout generations – so that each bite encapsulates the essence of history, craftsmanship, and a true passion for quality.

The rich red Devon soil and Mid Devon’s climate provide the best conditions for lush pasture, on which Quickes’ herd of cows are out grazing for most of the year. Each type of cheese, which is lovingly hand-crafted by their expert cheesemakers, is patiently matured in their bespoke ageing rooms. The art of this ageing process allows the flavour to develop and intensify, resulting in unparalleled depth and flavour. Every stage of the farming, cheese making, and maturation process plays its part in achieving the fantastic flavours present in each cheese.

Any cheese you choose, whether it be the mellow creaminess of Quicke’s Buttery Cheddar or the intense richness of the Mature Clothbound cheddar, you will taste the true passion and dedication that goes into each bite.

You can buy Quicke’s products locally in their on-site shop, which is a great way to keep your food miles down as their mouth-watering cheese is made and sold on the same farm! They also sell a range of local produce, including Waterhouse Fayre jams & chutneys (keep an eye out for their upcoming Field to Fork feature!) a perfect condiment to elevate any flavour.

From field to fork within Mid Devon – you will also find wonderful Quicke’s produce at the Kitchen @25 in Crediton, a traditional delicatessen, cheesemonger, and bistro offering an array of local delights. As specialist cheesemongers, with delicious locally sourced cheese from Quicke’s and chutneys from Waterhouse Fayre, Kitchen @25 invite you to explore and create your perfect cheeseboard with their expert assistance.

Quicke’s also offer guided tours of the farm throughout the spring and summer, where you can find out more about their expert production process.

Quickes Cheese being served at Kitchen @25 in Crediton

Quickes’ “field to fork” approach to producing, allows the local community to celebrate and preserve these unique food traditions. This not only contributes to a strong sense of place, but keeps unique traditions alive.