Where is Wensleydale Cheese from?

Originating from the Yorkshire Dales, Wensleydale cheese took its name from the district where it was mostly traded and sold (Wensleydale), thanks to that dales position: on a major trading route through the region, and aided by its later links to the national railway (at Leyburn).

But Wensleydale cheese was made not only in Wensleydale, but also the neighbouring Yorkshire Dales (Nidderdale, Garsdale, Wharfedale, Swaledale, Ribblesdale, Dentdale, Malhamdale, Coverdale … etc.).

So, although the Wensleydale name comes from that particular dale where it was bought and sold, the cheese itself could be any of the cheeses, with sub varieties made throughout that whole region. As all these areas were subject to the same local and historic influences and traditions.

Wensleydale was, and is basically a hodgepodge of those Yorkshire Dales regional cheeses….

If you want to learn more about Wensleydale Cheese, this fascinating book explores it in depth >

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