Why 'Winterdale Shaw'?

The Winterdale cheese dairy is housed in a traditional oak framed barn located at the head of a picturesque valley on the North edge of the family farm, which old local maps identify as 'Winterdale Shaw'.

Winterdale Shaw Chedar Cheese

This has always been one of my favourite areas. As a child growing up on the farm I used to play in this area with my brothers & sister, so it's great for me to look out from the dairy to see my own children running around this lovely spot.

A little local research revealed the history behind the Winterdale Shaw name.

Dale is the old Kentish name for an open ended valley and this one remains open all the way to the Thames estuary some 20 miles away.

I imagine the Winter half of the name reflects the fact that some pretty awful weather can be funnelled up the North facing valley in the colder months. As children this was always our favourite sledging spots as the steep slopes seemed to collect the best of any snow.

The 'Shaw' part of the name means 'ancient wood' and rather appropriately, the dairy barn sits proudly within a copse of mature Kent oaks.

I like to think the oak trees stand guard around the dairy barn, and they certainly provide some excellent screening, although many locals feel that screening is the last thing this splendid building needs.