Rain, mud, and more smiles than you could count – the 2025 Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival had it all. In this post-event round-up, Donald relives a weekend of soggy skies, resilient crowds, and plenty of cheddar.

Hear highlights from the Cheese Tent, the Real Ale Tent, live music, and the Kid Zone, plus short interviews with Dorset Blue Vinny, Shanty Spirits, Dorset With Love, James Cheese, Yarty Cordials, the North Dorset Beekeepers Association, Shelter Box, the Rotary Club, and the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

We also celebrate the festival’s biggest achievement: over £450,000 raised for local charities in the last decade, including this year’s funding of a new minibus for Yewstock School.

It was muddy, it was magical, and it was proof that nothing – not even the rain – can dampen the spirit of Dorset’s cheesiest weekend.

And with that… Season One of Cheddar Chat is complete! Don’t worry – we’ll be back with Season Two in January 2026, ramping up the excitement as we count down to another unforgettable festival.

Until then – stay curd-y!

The wait is nearly over! Donald brings you the final big slice of Cheddar Chat before the festival gates swing open. From last-minute tips on tickets, weather, parking and dogs, to family fun in the Kid Zone and a heartwarming look at this year’s charity project, it’s everything you need to get ready for Dorset’s cheesiest weekend.

📖 Check out the official event programme here: Festival Programme

🎶 Expect music, food, crafts, cider, and of course… mountains of cheese. Plus, Donald reflects on ten years of community giving, with over £450,000 raised for local causes.

This is the season finale before the mini-slices begin – snack-sized updates recorded live from the festival field. Don’t miss it!

🧀 Stay curd-y with us:

📸 Instagram

📘 Facebook

🌐 cheesefestival.co.uk

This isn’t just an episode — it’s a full-on foodie adventure. Join Donald as he takes you on a mouthwatering 20-minute tour of the Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival, exploring the sights, smells, and tastes that make this Dorset’s cheesiest weekend of the year.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The incredible cheese producers bringing everything from tangy Dorset Blue Vinney to creamy Bath Soft, traditional Keen’s Cheddar to the iconic Godminster waxed wheel.
  

• A world of food and drink makers — artisan fudge, gooey brownies, fiery chilli sauces, small-batch gins, sparkling English wines, ciders, cordials, and more.
  

• The sizzling magic of our outside caterers — wood-fired pizzas, lamb burgers, raclette rivers, pancakes, ice cream, and festival street-food that will have you queueing with a smile

  
  

  Whether you’re a cheese purist, a sweet-toothed snacker, or a fan of something stronger in your glass, this episode will leave you hungry — and maybe just a little thirsty.

The Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival is more than an event — it’s a celebration of local flavours, community spirit, and the joy of sharing food together. Tickets are just £9 a day (with under-16s free with an adult ticket holder and free carers’ tickets available).

🎧 So, press play, take a big bite out of Dorset’s tastiest weekend, and then grab your tickets at cheesefestival.co.uk — because life is always better with a bit of cheese on top.

🧀 Stay curd-y with us:

📸 Instagram

📘 Facebook

🌐 cheesefestival.co.uk