Pry Dairy

A former journalist, Steve milks a mini flock of around eight Lacaune ewes, the breed famous for Roquefort, each known to him by name. The milk is carried straight to a bespoke dairy built onto the farm cottage, inspired by a local Edwardian butter room, where he makes Slaley Soft, a mould ripened soft cheese from raw sheep's milk described as delicate, sweet, a bit nutty and savoury from its wrinkled Geotrichum coat. He calls it the only cheese of its kind in Northumberland.

The cheese is seasonal, made and sold from June until September, available at the farm gate and through selected cheesemongers and delis in the region, with a hard Alpine style cheese in development. Regenerative farming, organic ingredients and good animal welfare guide the dairy, and the 18th century farmhouse also takes bed and breakfast guests.