How Well Do You Know Stilton? Take Our Stilton Week Quiz

Stilton is one of Britain’s best-known cheeses, but how much do you actually know about it?

From the curious geography of where Stilton can be made to the people, pubs and producers that shaped its history, there is rather more to Britain’s most famous blue than you might expect.

To celebrate Stilton Week, 10th - 18th October 2026, we’ve put together ten questions to test your knowledge. Keep track of your answers and then scroll down to see how you did.

The Stilton Quiz

1. In which of these counties can Stilton NOT be made?
   A. Cambridgeshire
   B. Derbyshire
   C. Leicestershire

2. As of October 2026, how many dairies produce Blue Stilton?
   A. 4
   B. 5
   C. 6

3. According to the Stilton PDO, Stilton must be a blue cheese.
   TRUE
   FALSE

4. Stilton is famously associated with a pub in Cambridgeshire. What is the name of the pub?
   A. The Lion
   B. The Sun
   C. The Bell

5. Frances Pawlett is often called the “Mother of Stilton”. Near which Midlands market town did she make cheese?
   A. Market Harborough
   B. Melton Mowbray
   C. Newark

6. Which British Prime Minister famously bought his Stilton from Paxton & Whitfield?
   A. Neville Chamberlain
   B. Anthony Eden
   C. Winston Churchill

7. On average, how much does a whole Stilton weigh?
   A. 10lb
   B. 16lb
   C. 23lb

8. Shropshire Blue is often thought of as a sister cheese to Stilton. Many Stilton producers make one, the make is similar and the cheeses are roughly the same size. So what is the principal difference between the two?
   A. Colour
   B. Shape
   C. Milk type

9. According to the Stilton Cheesemakers’ Association, approximately how much Stilton is made each year?
   A. 8,000 tonnes
   B. 80,000 tonnes
   C. 800,000 tonnes

10. How long is Stilton typically aged for?
    A. 3–4 months
    B. 6–9 months
    C. 10–12 months

The Answers

1. A. Cambridgeshire
This is one of Stilton’s great quirks. Although the village of Stilton itself is in Cambridgeshire, the PDO states that the cheese may only be made in Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

2. A. 4
There are currently four dairies producing Blue Stilton: Colston Bassett, Cropwell Bishop, Clawson and Hartington.

3. FALSE
Blue Stilton is not the only Stilton protected by the PDO. White Stilton is protected too, despite containing no blue veining.

4. C. The Bell
The Bell Inn in the village of Stilton became closely associated with the cheese during the 18th century. Its landlord, Cooper Thornhill, is traditionally credited with helping to introduce Stilton to travellers using the Great North Road.

5. B. Melton Mowbray
Frances Pawlett made cheese at Wymondham, near Melton Mowbray. Often referred to as the “Mother of Stilton”, she played an important role in establishing the style and consistency of the cheese during the 18th century.

6. C. Winston Churchill
According to Paxton & Whitfield legend, Winston Churchill was among those who bought his Stilton from us. He is also associated with one of our favourite quotations: “A gentleman only buys his cheese at Paxton & Whitfield.”

7. B. 16lb
A traditional whole Stilton weighs around 16lb, or roughly 7–8kg. Enough cheese to keep even the most enthusiastic Christmas cheeseboard going for quite some time.

8. A. Colour
Shropshire Blue and Stilton share plenty in common, including their size, cow’s milk and blue veining. The most immediately obvious difference is Shropshire Blue’s deep orange paste, coloured with annatto.

9. A. 8,000 tonnes
Around 8,000 tonnes of Stilton are produced each year. Not bad for a cheese that can only legally be made in three English counties.

10. A. 3–4 months
Stilton can be ready for sale from around nine weeks, but it continues to develop as it ages. Around three to four months gives the rich, creamy texture and rounded blue character most of us associate with a well-aged Stilton.

How did you do?

Whether you sailed through all ten or discovered that the geography of Stilton is considerably more complicated than expected, there is always more to learn about this extraordinary British cheese.

And, of course, the very best way to learn about Stilton is to eat some.