Cheese Hamlet

Whenever I want good cheese and It’s practical enough for me to go to Didsbury Village, I go to the Cheese Hamlet. It’s not the cheapest but the quality of the cheese and the service is second to none.
I use their cheeses for a few events I run with my work and people are always wowed by it.
They have a lot of other deli type products that can help you make the difference if you’re planning a bit of a do, at home or outside.
I can’t afford it everyday but when it matters, they’ll give you the edge to impress!

Cheese Hamlet, located at the centre of Didsbury village, true to its very modest name, specialises in cheese. There is a wide selection of cheeses with textuures ranging from silky smooth to the crumbliest of them all. They seem to stock a lot of local, British and european cheeses and possess a good knowledge of what goes well with what. They also stock certain seasonal and festival cheeses. If you’re looking for something specific, definitely ask them. They’re friendly, polite and ready to help.
In addition to cheeses they also sell bagels, breads, jams, spreads, chutney, crackers, cakes etc and deli items also. If you’re after bagels for saturday, you can ring them and place an order before 2pm (I think) on a friday.
I’ve been going to Cheese Hamlet for a good few years now and have always walked out feeling good, not just because of the food, but also because of their service.
As with everywhere else, I sincerely hope they maintain their quality for a long time to come.

I’ve gotta say that this is a real crown jewel in the independent shopping scene in Didsbury — a place that sells an absolute shed load of fresh cheeses, sold by friendly and knowledgable staff who definitely make you feel welcome when you pop into pick up some ‘fromage’y’ treats!
This place on the corner also sells a full stack of Deli items that will obviously go perfectly with the cheese purchases and they sell very good quality bread in an area that I’ve struggled to get artisan bread from in the past. Some of it is from Barbakan in Chorlton and make sure you pop in and grab yourself some of the Greek loaf (it’s amazing and pretty much the size of an iceberg so will keep you going all weekend!)
If you’re looking to make a night of fine foods there’s an independent fishmongers and greengrocers next door — plus an M&S a few doors down. In fact if you like to graze, this could be the most important street you could walk down today!

I just love cheese. Love it. So much so I refuse to include it in any NY resolutions (actually, I made none for 2014 so who am I kidding?). Being tasked with provision of the cheese course for the New Years Eve celebrations with friends I headed to The Cheese Hamlet after getting recommendations about them.
What a charming little place it is. And full to the rafters with not only a veritable smörgåsbord of cheese options but also crackers, condiments, conserves, cured meats, coffee (hold on, it appears they’re only selling stuff beginning with ‘c’…). Anyway, this gem of a place offers the lot.
The staff were really friendly and knowledgeable, helping me to pair some of the cheeses I bought with interesting accompaniments. A small bottle of ‘Orchard Syrup’ and jars of ‘Sweet Tomato & Chilli Chutney’ and ‘Wild Cranberry Sauce’ — these all proved to be popular when the eating of said cheeseboard commenced :)
Having previously been firmly in the ‘I Heart Cheddar’ camp, after trying out some of their wares I’ll be happy to try a wider range of fromage in the future and will definitely revisit.
Why not five stars you may ask? Well, I was looking for a cheese from the Isle of Man and they couldn’t help me out. For shame, for shame ;)
Tip: You can order some, but not all, it appears, of their produce from their website.

Lovely independent shop and one of the few characteristic places in Didsbury. Wide selection of cheese and some other very lovely stuff can be found here. Might be pricy if you compare to supermarkets but you buy quality and the taste.

I LOVED this shop! I was always in there, buying all sorts of cheeses and their fresh, fat, tasty olives. My husband loved the anchovies they did, in little pots. They weren’t salty, but in a lovely dressing and very moreish. My favourite cheese bought from this shop was the spicy gorgonzola and Blacksticks blue — now I’ve moved away from Didsbury, this is one of the shops I really miss!

Unless your lactose intolerant or have a irrational crippling fear of cow related products, The Cheese Hamlet is amazing.
Established yonks ago, this place is the best place in Didsbury (unless you have friends in Didsbury, in which case, you’ll probably like their house more).
It won’t surprise you to learn that Cheese Hamlet isn’t a place that specialises in cigars made from stilton or indeed, isn’t a dwelling made entirely from edam, but rather, a rather fine deli that has loads of cheese. Seriously. LOADS of cheese.
It’s a family-​run affair that has nearly as many awards as it does cheese. For the record, I’m getting tired of typing the word ‘cheese’.
If you’re stuck and want to try something out, then the staff are mega helpful and help you pick something great out. If you’re really stuck, they don’t mind giving you a little sample to help you part with your cash. It’s all very lovely indeed.
As well as cheese, you can buy things that go with cheese like ace chutneys and the like.
It is definitely worth popping in, just to take in all the produce… but if you’re feeling lazy, you can order online.
Cheese Mecca.

Didsbury’s high street has really seen the chain bars, restaurants and shops move in over the last few years, but there are still a few independent retailers who flourish. One of my favourites is the Cheese Hamlet; a tiny deli, which specialises in — yep, you guessed it — cheese!
There are loads of varieties here, all cut freshly for you! And if you’re a little spoilt for choice, the staff can help you pick a good one. In fact, they even give you samples! As well as cheese, this award-​winning deli stocks beautiful chutneys, teas and other gourmet food. It’s all lovely stuff, but, as you’d probably expect from such gorgeous fare, it doesn’t come cheap!
I’m not the only one who loves this shop, though. It’s a hugely popular place, so you might have to queue for a wee while if you rock up at the weekend. And if you dare try to pop in during the build-​up to Christmas, you’ll probably have to wait even longer!

The Cheese Hamlet is famed, of course, throughout the M-​postcodes for its selection of Cheeses but I’ve never been much of a cheese man. I like mozzarella and appreciate some grilled halloumi but I’m not the gruyère connoisseur or camembert expert I might be. So, for me, the attraction of this boutique du fromage has always been its wide range of other delicious non-​cheesy produce including crusty ciabatta bread, rich chocolate cakes and saffron-​yellow yolked free range local eggs.
Best of all though is their range of wines (which would be the best in all Didsbury were it not for the excellent Carringtons just a little way up the road) and mouth-​watering cured meats (their Salami Milano is the only thing that makes my girlfriend nostalgic for her tortuous year abroad in northern Italy). Based on the strength of that you might even say you could call the place The Ham Cheeselet.

The Cheese Hamlet was established in 1960 and has become one of the highlights of Didsbury. Specialising in cheese (no surprises there) sourced locally and from around the world, this family-​run shop has more than 40 awards under its belt.
Though you can now buy online, you really have to experience the rows of specialist cheeses lining the shelves and perhaps try a few at the counter.
And it’s not all about the cheese. The Cheese Hamlet stocks a variety of fine foods such as biscuits, chocolates, tea, coffee, hampers and other gifts. I even saw a sign for a cheese wedding cake. Now that I’d like to see.

I remember wandering in here one day, although I don’t quite remember why I did nor why I was in Didsbury, but I can say that it was a fantastic shop full of cheese, an enlightening fact you may have gleaned from the name of the shop.
The general layout and aesthetic is that of some Dickensian-​era store, and one which is perfectly suited to the wares on offer. I love cheese, and Cheese Hamlet offers such a mind-​bogglingly large array that it’s almost criminal. The prices range massively simply because the products on offer can be basic or fancy, local or imported. But they are pretty much all worth trying.
If you need cheese, you know where to go then.

I was at a birthday party at the weekend where there was a cheeseboard and several educated 20 and 30-​somethings. I was shocked and surprised when said party guests ran away from said cheese as the brie was too smelly for them. As a cheese lover (Rebecca D, I am going to use your brilliant excuse of being a mouse in a past life) I could not see how anyone could hate the smell of cheese. The smellier the better is my cheese motto. OK, well it did smell a bit like a cross between broccoli and football socks, as does the Cheese Hamlet, but this is no excuse not to pay a visit to this shop on the main drag in Didsbury village.
At the weekends there is even a queue to look in the window here, and I can see why. The old-​fashioned layout of the shop and the appealing displays of all sorts of condiments, cheese-​related items and accessories and gift sets always stop me in my tracks as I’m walking down the Wilmslow Road.
Behind the counter they stock every kind of cheese even the cheesiest cheese connoisseur could dream of and they will let you try before you buy, just like they do at the equally yummy Dutch cheese stall at the annual Christmas Market. I wish there was a shop like this in Chorlton, but as far as I’m aware it is the only shop of its kind in South Manchester.

Sometimes I think I must have been a mouse in a past life, such is my love of cheese. Or I would, if I believed in the whole reincarnation thing, which I don’t. But anyway, I love cheese. I’m one of those people who’d rather have a cheeseboard than a cheesecake, and my coming-​home-​drunk snack is usually a big chunk of edam. So, you get it, I love cheese.
I also, perhaps unsurprisingly, love Didsbury’s Cheese Hamlet. It feels like a shop from the olden days, with its attractive tiled exterior and quaint awning. Step inside (if there’s space; there’s really only room for 3 people to stand) and you’re surrounded with shelves of goodies; cheese, crackers, chutneys. There’s a glass counter displaying myriad cheeses and delicious antipasti (try the green queen olives in chilli marinade: lush) and then a massive wall of cheese behind the counter. I can’t say exactly how many different cheeses they stock, nor can I vouch for the tastiness of all of them. All I can do is say that every cheese I have sampled from this lovely little cheesemongers has been great. I especially adore their soft cheeses, the bries and camemberts, and their tomme des savoie is really something special. In terms of the chutneys, again too many to name and rate, but I would heartily recommend the red onion chutney, which goes particularly well with a simple mature cheddar.
I’m a lazy girl at heart, and rarely make the journey out of the city centre, but for the Cheese Hamlet, I’m happy to hop on the Magic Bus and take that epic trip. Decent cheese is so hard to come by in the city centre, and the Cheese Hamlet is really great in the respect that they don’t just stock bog standard deli or supermarket cheeses; they have their everyday stuff and then they have the pricey stuff, the cheese-​gold of Mrs Appleby’s mini Cheshire (£25.99), perhaps a little much for the average cheese toastie, but well worth a try every now and then.

The Cheese Hamlet has won the coveted award ‘British Delicatessan of the Year’ and it’s easy to see why. I could spend hours in here poring over the array of international cheeses — they have everything from Norway’s Gjetost to Spain’s Picos Blue and every classic in between.
Not only this, but their range of oils, mustards, preserves cover both familiar brands and lesser known but well chosen independent labels. The home made pies are to die for as are their puddings, cakes and biscuits. The staff will let you try before you buy and the the atmosphere in here is buzzing! I love to shop at independent delis, and this is hands down one of the best in Greater Manchester.

The Cheese Hamlet in Didsbury is the most amazing little cheese shop. You will find a huge array of cheeses your looking for here and ones you have never heard of. The staff are so friendly and willing to let you try any cheese you fancy. There are extras you can buy here also such as chutneys, pickles, cheese boards, cheese knives.
I am a massive fan of cheese and wine (obviously) so this place is a godsend. Wouldn’t like to work here though, thing the smell of all those cheeses would give you a headache in the end!

One of a kind deli in the centre of Didsbury village next door to Casa Tapas.
Specialising in cheese (not surprisingly), the Cheese Hamlet also has good selections of bread, meat, chutney, patés and spreads and also makes some extremely moreish veggie samosas.
In a world of corporate blandness, its refreshing to see an independent business with real character, long may it continue to trade!
Well worth a visit

The Cheese Hamlet in Didsbury is a wonderful shop which boasts a superb array of cheese which will satisfy any cheese– buff. The staff are helpful and if you require anything slightly different then there are always the chutneys and pickles to peruse, or the beautiful collection of cheese knives and boards. Due to its popularity the cheese hamlet does get rather busy on Saturdays and you may often see queues out the door, but it is well worth a visit nonetheless.
Situated in the middle of Didsbury village it is easy to find and parking is available around the village.

I’m like a little mouse and love cheese.
When i found this place i was delighted.
Its a dainty, chic little deli in didsbury and they mostly sell cheese.
They do a gorgeous carmalised onion chutney which is to die for and is amazing sloshed on a cheese toastie!
Also I reccomend their old style? marmalade (i think thats what it is called), fentimans drinks, Lancashire Farmhouse Creamy cheese.
You could make some great hampers to give as gifts at this place!

Very nice shop name ! The shop is full of good quality cheese and also sells some lovely jams, chutneys etc.
I really wish there are more good ’ local ’ shops than high street chain shops. This shop has so much character.
Only problem is it smells strong for me as I do not get used to cheese that much.

The Cheese Hamlet in Didsbury is another superb South Manchester Deli (it won the best British Deli of the award in 2006 as it happens). Selling mainly cheeses (the name somewhat gives it away) it also stocks a wider range of ‘speciality’ food stuffs such as: chocolates: biscuits: coffee: wines: chutneys. They have also stock a selection of meats (cured or otherwise).
I’d already grabbed some fine bread earlier in the day from Barbakan but wanted to add something a little different, cheese wise, to the ‘festival of food’ I would attempt to deliver later in the evening.
So with a little help from the knowledgeable ‘cheesemeister’ my eye sight was magically propelled towards a seemingly chocolate looking number. The voice inside my own ‘cheese box/​head’ muttered something along the lines of chocolate/​cheese combi? Interesting.
However, just a moment later the cheesemeister announced that contrary to my thoughts, this had as much to do with chocolate as Errol Brown’s dishwasher.
Slicing through the dark, brown wax veneer and opened up, it resembled a mashed up chocolate digestive cake. This cheese is known as Cahill’s Porter Cheese and is in fact made from Dark Ale (Porter). Relatively mild, but with a creamy stomach this is an overall fascinating, and interesting product.
I’m hooked and I can’t wait to go back and experience more from this superb deli.