Hamish Johnston

Brilliant cheese shop, that also sells «other stuff», 50% of which pertains to cheese and the eating thereof — boards, crackers and derivatives, quince jelly, olives, a bit of charcuterie… and so on. Oh, and some ridiculously expensive confectionary, although I have to say the cheese is reasonably priced. Grown up goodies, in other words– if your idea of nice cheese is the sort that comes pre-​sliced, you are clearly in the wrong shop. The staff– and the cheeses– include a large Gallic contingent, and both the staff and cheeses look happy to be there. Definitely expect to queue at busy times– Saturdays, for example, not just round Christmas– but the wait is worth it.

I always find speciality shops a little intimidating, so it was nice to come in here and be greeted with a warm smile and the chance to try some cheeses. They were very knowledgeable about the different cheeses and offered some good options for what I wanted.
Although I don’t buy much, the quality was very good and I like the variety they offer.

Another great deli in the Clapham area. Great selection and the staff are very helpfull.

The best cheese shop in the area, with a good selection, but not quite in the same league as Neal’s Yard. They’re friendly, and you can try the cheeses, but I never feel they’re in the best condition.

One of the finest cheese shops in London, and that’s a major claim. It’s surpassed only by La Fromagerie, Paxton & Whitfiield and Neal’s Yard Dairy — this is how good Hamish Johnston is. It could be defined as a delicatessen on the grounds that it has numerous other products — olive oils, condiments, biscuits, preserves etc. — but its central proposition is cheese. The range is balanced, with a necessary and desirable emphasis on top quality British cheeses such as Montgomery’s Cheddar, Flower Marie or truckles of Mull, and a very impressive selection of Irish, Italian, French and Spanish cheeses. The staff are very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Queues form quickly and frequently and customers are discerning and demanding. This is a great experience and a vital institution in Battersea’s intensely foodie Northcote Road. On Saturdays when the market is in full swing, they often have a stall outside with unbelievable cheeses for passers-​by to taste and compare. Real cheese lovers will have a field day here. Three cheers for Hamish!

This is a fantastic delicatessen, but their real speciality is cheese. A huge range of British and Irish cheese, with some from France, Italy and Spain as well. All in tip-​top condition, and with enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly staff who will tell you when the runny cheese will be best for eating. Also olive oils decanted for you, and excellent foods from around the world.

Brilliant selection and — as davepearce says — knowledgeable staff and no queuing! Selected salamis and hams (eg serrano) are also available as well as every smart cheese biscuit you have ever been offered. Outside the door there’s a wonderful bread and pizza stall, so one can pick up an all-​important crisp baguette or two before heading back home to open a good red wine for a feast.
Waitrose is replacing Somerfield, so they may have more competition soon, although as the area is something of a foodie paradise (eg Dove the butcher, and a fish stall), it may just draw in more discerning locals.

Cheesemonger on the northcote road, selling a good variety of british and European cheese. I’m not sure how they make money, as whenever I pop in for my Keens cheddar and vignette, they seem pretty quiet, but I suppose that I must go at quiet times.
With a very knowlegable staff who are willing to advise on the right cheese for you, even putting together cheese boards, this is a class apart from the other alternative on this road Somerfield.

This is a really good place to stop by if you have ended up agreeing to bring nibbles round to a party. They have 100’s (well tens) of different cheeses and they are happy to let you have a try before you buy which is fab if you like cheese and are feeling peckish!
They will give you good advice if you are trying to impress a foody friend and often have something a bit out of the ordinary. Quite different from your processed cheese slices!