Five English Cheeses to Cheer on England

England are just one match away from the World Cup Final, and there has never been a better excuse to celebrate the country's remarkable food and drink.

Whether you're gathering friends to watch the semi final or planning a relaxed evening with family, a cheeseboard is made for occasions like this. We've selected five exceptional English cheeses that showcase the breadth and quality of artisan cheesemaking across the country. Add a bottle of English wine or craft beer, your favourite chutney and a box of traditional crackers, and you'll have everything you need to champion England both on and off the pitch.

St Jude

We could hardly begin anywhere else.

With a name that offers an irresistible nod to Jude Bellingham, St Jude earns its place in our starting line up. Throughout the tournament, Bellingham has once again demonstrated why he is one of the world's finest midfielders, producing moments of quality whenever England have needed them most.

Now made by Julie Cheyney in Norfolk, St Jude is a small handmade cow's milk cheese inspired by the French Saint Marcellin. Delicate, creamy and beautifully lactic, it becomes wonderfully soft as it ripens, with fresh buttery notes and a luxurious texture.

Small in stature but capable of making a huge impact, much like its namesake, St Jude deserves to be at the heart of any match day cheeseboard.

Darling Blue

Every successful England squad is built on talent from every corner of the country, and the North East has once again played its part.

With Dan Burn, Anthony Gordon and Jordan Pickford all proudly representing the North East during England's World Cup campaign, it seems only fitting to celebrate one of the region's finest cheeses; Darling Blue

Made by the Maxwell family at Doddington Dairy in Northumberland, Darling Blue is named after Grace Darling, the Victorian heroine of the nearby Farne Islands. Smooth, buttery and gently savoury, its delicate blue veining brings just enough character while remaining wonderfully approachable.

It's a cheese that reflects the region itself: honest, full of character and quietly impressive. Pair it with an English chutney or a drizzle of honey for a winning combination.

Montgomery's Cheddar

No England team would be complete without an experienced leader, and the same can be said of a cheeseboard.

Montgomery's Cheddar is one of Britain's greatest traditional cheeses. Handmade in Somerset using raw milk from the Montgomery family's own herd, each truckle is clothbound and matured to develop remarkable depth of flavour.

Expect savoury richness, toasted nuts, bright citrus notes and the occasional crunch of protein crystals, all balanced by a long, complex finish.

A proper clothbound Cheddar is the backbone of any great English cheeseboard, dependable, full of character and guaranteed to deliver when it matters.

Golden Cross

Every great England performance needs quality delivery from the flanks, and whether it's Bukayo Saka or Anthony Gordon driving forward and delivering dangerous balls into the box, England have shown throughout the tournament just how valuable a perfectly placed cross can be.

Our own Golden Cross plays a similar role on the cheeseboard, bringing freshness, balance and elegance to the line up.

Made in East Sussex by Kevin and Alison Blunt, this award winning goat's cheese develops a delicate bloomy rind while retaining a fresh, clean and gently citrusy centre. As it matures, the paste beneath the rind becomes beautifully soft and creamy, creating an elegant contrast to the richer cheeses on the board.

Pair it with crisp English crackers, a lightly spiced chutney or a glass of English sparkling wine.

A well delivered cross can create a match winning moment. Golden Cross has exactly the same effect on a cheeseboard.

Kirkham's Lancashire

England's footballing heartlands would not be complete without a visit to the North West.

Home to some of the country's most celebrated clubs and represented in England's squad by Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Jarrell Quansah, the region has long been synonymous with producing footballing talent.

It is also home to one of England's great territorial cheeses.

Made by the Kirkham family using raw milk from their own herd, Kirkham's Lancashire is one of the last traditional farmhouse Lancashire cheeses still produced. Rich yet wonderfully fresh, it combines a bright yoghurt like acidity with buttery depth and a gently crumbly texture that becomes creamier as it reaches room temperature.

Like the best team performances, it doesn't rely on one standout moment. Instead, it quietly brings everything together, providing balance, character and consistency from first whistle to final bite.

Build Your England Cheeseboard

Bring together three or all five of these cheeses and complete the board with traditional English crackers, artisan chutneys, locally brewed beer or a bottle of English wine.

Take your cheeses out of the refrigerator at least an hour before kick off to allow their full flavour and texture to shine.

If England book their place in the final tonight, we'll all be looking for another reason to celebrate this weekend. Whatever happens, there's one thing England can always be proud of. From Suffolk and Somerset to Sussex, Lancashire and Northumberland, our cheesemakers produce some of the finest artisan cheeses in the world.

Explore our collection of English cheeses, wines, beers and accompaniments, and get everything you need to cheer on England in tonight's semi final.