Discover our story
The Ilchester Cheese Co. was born in 1962 when Ken Seaton, the proprietor of The Ilchester Arms in Somerset, stumbled across a great invention…
The Ilchester Cheese co, born in 1962
At his bar, customers would often dip Cheddar into their fine English ales for a fuller and richer flavour. A visiting buyer from Harrods loved the combination and couldn’t wait to get it in store. Tasting rather good, Beer Cheese was born!
It was not however without some controversial beginnings when Beer Cheese caused an outrage with 10 million teetotallers boycotting it – even though they needed to eat 20lbs to consume the equivalent of one pint of beer!
With more cheeses to create, Ken set up The Ilchester Cheese Company in the picturesque village of Ilchester and began developing various different blocks which are still enjoyed across the world today.
Discover
our journey
1800s
The Discovery
Originally from the rural valley of Gudbrandsalen in Norway, this soft brown cheese is now the second most popular cheese in Norway.
Our Heritage
The original Jarlsberg® was created by Ole Martin Ystgaard in a small Norwegian village from a secret recipe since 1956.
1956
1962
Beer Cheese
The Ilchester Cheese Company was born in 1962 when Ken Seaton, the proprietor of the Ilchester Arms in Somerset, created Beer
A Legend Is Born
Applewood® cheese was created in 1965 in Ilchester. It was made from traditional hand turned farmhouse cheddar with a delicate smoky flavour, finished with a dusting of paprika.
1965
1992
NEW PREMISES
The Ilchester Cheese Company moves from Free Street in Ilchester to a new premises located nearby on Somerton Road.
NEW FLAVOURS
Mexicana® is a colourful and vibrant cheese created in 1994. It brings together a blend of Mexicana flavours, bell peppers and jalapeños, and it is not for the faint hearted.
1994
1998
NEW FLAVOURS
Snofrisk® was launched during the Winter Olympic Games at Lillehammer in 199. It is an exquisite creamy goats’ cheese, made from the purest milk from free roaming goats in Norway
NEW PREMISES
The company continues to expand, and a new unit (known as Site 2) is built.
1998
2004
A LEGEND IS BORN
Former Managing Director, John Davidge, guides the business to national and international growth, developing the brand and product portfolio into a £25 milllion business.
TINE AQUISITION
Norwegian dairy company, TINE SA, purchases The Ilchester Cheese Company. Norseland, a new subsidiary of TINE, selling high quality British and continental cheeses, was created.
2008
2017
SOMERSET BUSINESS AWARDS
Norseland impressed the judges, scooping up top prizes for both Marketing & Promotion and Somerset Business of the Year 51+ Employees.
REBRAND
Back to our roots. In 2025 we rebranded to The Ilchester Cheese Co., celebrating our heritage, and recognising the importance of our local community to the business.
2025
Discover
our journey
1800s
The Discovery
Originally from the rural valley of Gudbrandsalen in Norway, this soft brown cheese is now the second most popular cheese in Norway.
1956
Our Heritage
The original Jarlsberg® was created by Ole Martin Ystgaard in a small Norwegian village from a secret recipe since 1956.
1962
Beer Cheese
The Ilchester Cheese Company was born in 1962 when Ken Seaton, the proprietor of the Ilchester Arms in Somerset, created Beer
1965
A Legend Is Born
Applewood® cheese was created in 1965 in Ilchester. It was made from traditional hand turned farmhouse cheddar with a delicate smoky flavour, finished with a dusting of paprika.
1992
NEW PREMISES
The Ilchester Cheese Company moves from Free Street in Ilchester to a new premises located nearby on Somerton Road.
1994
NEW FLAVOURS
Mexicana® is a colourful and vibrant cheese created in 1994. It brings together a blend of Mexicana flavours, bell peppers and jalapeños, and it is not for the faint hearted.
1998
NEW FLAVOURS
Snofrisk® was launched during the Winter Olympic Games at Lillehammer in 199. It is an exquisite creamy goats’ cheese, made from the purest milk from free roaming goats in Norway
1998
NEW PREMISES
The company continues to expand, and a new unit (known as Site 2) is built.
2004
A LEGEND IS BORN
Former Managing Director, John Davidge, guides the business to national and international growth, developing the brand and product portfolio into a £25 milllion business.
2008
TINE AQUISITION
Norwegian dairy company, TINE SA, purchases The Ilchester Cheese Company. Norseland, a new subsidiary of TINE, selling high quality British and continental cheeses, was created.
2017
SOMERSET BUSINESS AWARDS
Norseland impressed the judges, scooping up top prizes for both Marketing & Promotion and Somerset Business of the Year 51+ Employees.
2025
REBRAND
Back to our roots. In 2025 we rebranded to The Ilchester Cheese Co., celebrating our heritage, and recognising the importance of our local community to the business.
The Ilchester Cheese Co. at a glance
Since our first Beer Cheese created in 1962 in Somerset, we have artfully created a unique collection of great British award-winning cheeses, styled and paired to perfection with wholesome ingredients to suit all taste palates.
Based in
Somerset
(But we’re
global really!)
We’re part
of the TINE
Group.
60 years
experience.
Established
1962.
OUR PEOPLE
We have
over 175
employees.
In the heart of
Cheesemaking country
Surrounded by miles of lush green grass, some of the best cheeses are crafted in this pocket of England, by people who really know a few things about cheese.
Views across Somerset from one of the farms that produces our cheddar
Ilchester Cheese Co.
is part of The TINE Group
TINE is one of Norway’s largest food companies and a full-scale supplier of dairy products. With over 7,000 farmer owners, the dairy co-op aims to use clean and natural raw materials to produce tasty and healthy food through close interaction between nature, agriculture, consumers, and trade.
