Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses opens new cheesemaking campus at Inglewhite

There are comebacks, and then there is the story of Butlers Farmhouse Cheeses. The family cheesemakers, who have been making farmhouse cheese since 1932, marked a new chapter in February 2026 when King Charles officially opened their new cheesemaking campus at Wilson Fields Farm in Inglewhite, near Longridge.

The new site was born out of adversity. In November 2023 a fire destroyed the company's packing site in Longridge, and the business found itself trading at around 60 per cent of its pre-fire sales because of a lack of space. Rather than scale back, the family set out to rebuild on their own farm.

Preston City Council approved plans for the campus in March 2025. The application covered new warehouse and office space at the dairy at Wilson Fields Farm, along with maturation space intended to close the gap left by the fire. Reports put the total investment at around £15 million.

Local suppliers were at the heart of the build. The company enlisted a number of Lancashire businesses for the project, including fellow family firms Wareing Buildings and Sanderson Brothers in Inglewhite, keeping much of the work close to home.

Matthew Hall, one of the fourth generation of the family to run the business, described the campus as inspired by the land and a melting pot for innovation and ideas. It is a fitting ambition for a firm that has always mixed tradition with new recipes.

The royal visit was a proud day for every generation. During his tour, the King met second-generation owner Jean Butler, and was shown around by third-generation owner Gillian Hall, who holds the title Guardian of Great Cheese, and fourth-generation owners Matthew and Daniel Hall. He also unveiled a commemorative plaque.

The cheeses themselves have collected plenty of recognition over the years. Beacon Blue was named best British blue at the inaugural Virtual Cheese Awards, while the British Cheese Awards have honoured cheeses including Rothbury Red and Farmhouse Red Leicester. The firm has also built a five-year partnership with Aldi, whose Specially Selected Beacon Blue Goats Cheese earned a Great Taste star in 2024.

Butlers cheeses are sold widely across the UK, and the company's website has details of the full range, stockists and news from the farm at Inglewhite.