This Northumbrian was arguably the greatest the Landscape designer the UK has ever seen.
The ‘Capability Brown’ cheese is made from milk from the Maxwell ‘s own dairy herd, whilst the newly launched ‘Vintage Rhubarb’ ice cream, is also made from the milk from the dairy herd , together with vintage varieties of rhubarb, specially grown by the Maxwell family on the North Doddington farm.
The ‘Capability Brown,’ limited edition, handmade cheese, is a mold, rinded, pasteurised cheese, which is matured for three months , and is currently only available at Kirkharle the birthplace of Capability Brown. The cheese will be sold in the within the Kirkharle Courtyard.
Creamy in colour with a crumbly texture, it has a distinctive mild and mellow flavour, designed to complement the many fruits, and nature’s bounties found in Capability Brown’s Gardens.
Kitty Anderson, owner of Kirkharle commenting said: “We are delighted that Doddington has taken on board the importance of the birthplace of Capability Brown, creating this delicious cheese, which is available in in our new farm shop ‘Brown’s Larder.’
“This Limited edition cheese is a unique addition to their range of Doddington cheeses, dedicated to famous people with Northumbrian associations, which also include, Admiral Collingwood and Darling Blue.”
Continuing Doddington’s long legacy of using fresh, local produce, which is additive and preservative free, together with milk from their own dairy herd, the ‘Vintage Rhubarb’ ice cream uses rhubarb, which is grown in fields adjacent to the dairy, ensuring the freshest taste possible and full traceability.
Kirkharle Courtyard has a display devoted to Capability Brown who lived and worked on the estate until the age of 24. Born in Kirkharle in 1716, Capability Brown was born the son of a land agent and a chambermaid; he enjoyed a modest upbringing before becoming a head gardener’s apprentice at 16. He then went on to design 170 gardens for the finest country houses and estates in Britain, including Blenheim Palace and Warwick Castle.
Returning to his roots in Northumberland, Capability Brown is also renowned for designing the gardens at Alnwick Castle and Wallington Hall, before going back to his birthplace to design the gardens at Kirkharle Hall. Still today he remains one of Britain’s most famous landscape designers, and he is remembered as one of Northumberland’s most famous sons.
Excited for the new launch, Jackie Maxwell said:
“Capability Brown is a hugely important figure in Northumbrian history, and we wanted to celebrate his 300th birthday with something special. Our ‘Vintage Rhubarb’ ice cream is made with an antique variety of rhubarb, which would have been used in Capability’s day, so we like to think it is something he would have used in his work!’
Doddington Dairy has a long history of creating produce that celebrates the local area as well as its people. Their Darling Blue cheese, named in memory of local hero Grace Darling, was awarded best new cheese at the 2015 ‘British Cheese Awards.’ The dairy also have a long history of celebrating local produce in their ice creams, with Chain Bridge Honey and Alnwick Rum both being popular flavours.
The dairy’s passion for local, sustainable produce has fuelled their work, with their products all coming from the surrounding area and wherever possible, grown on the farm. The result is delicious, high quality, completely traceable products that support producers in the local area.
Further information and details of stockists of ‘Capability Brown’ cheese and ‘Vintage Rhubarb’ can be found on www.doddingtondairy.co.uk or by telephoning 01668 283010.