Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses acquires Hampshire Cheese Company

Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, based in rural Lancashire, has acquired the Hampshire Cheese Company - home of much-loved soft cheeses Tunworth and Winslade - in Scratchface Lane, Herriard.

Stacey Hedges, founder of the Hampshire Cheese Company, said: "This is an exciting next step in the journey of Tunworth and Winslade.

"As part of the Butlers Farmhouse Cheese family, I am confident that our cheeses will be able to reach even more people. I am so proud of what we have achieved as a team in the last 20 years.” 

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The multi award-winning artisan cheesemaker, was founded in 2005 by Stacey and has amassed a legion of fans for Tunworth and Winslade; two expertly handcrafted, continental-style soft cheeses that are revered among some of the UK’s leading chefs, Michelin starred restaurants and premium independent retailers. 

The farmhouse cheese company has invested significantly in its soft cheese capacity in the last two years, with own-label and branded soft cheeses like Button Mill and Kidderton Ash driving Butlers’ mission to be a powerhouse in British farmhouse soft cheese. Butlers is now the largest independent soft cheesemaker in the UK.

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Matthew Hall, fourth-generation owner at Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses, added: "The quality and reputation that Stacey and her team have established for Tunworth and Winslade is something we will be proud to nurture with their loyal customers.

"Over the years, Stacey has shared our mission to drive the British cheese renaissance in the UK and we are privileged to bring Tunworth and Winslade into our family, continue on that journey and get more of the amazing cheeses being made in Britain, to more people.”

Butlers’ ownership of Hampshire Cheese Company is effective immediately.