We get to know the tiny village near Nottingham that's known for making ‘world-famous’ cheese

This idyllic spot is just a 25-minute drive from Nottingham city centre - so we decided to find out more.

The county’s 830 square-miles contain hundreds of weird and wonderful villages and hamlets, many of which date back centuries.

Cropwell Bishop sits in the borough of Rushcliffe and, alongside its sister village, Cropwell Butler, it forms part of the Vale of Belvoir. One of the prettiest places in the county, it boasts a splendid church and one of six creameries that produce the world-famous Stilton cheese. The Grantham Canal runs along the edge of the village. | David Lally

placeholder image — Cropwell Bishop sits in the borough of Rushcliffe and, alongside its sister village, Cropwell Butler, it forms part of the Vale of Belvoir. One of the prettiest places in the county, it boasts a splendid church and one of six creameries that produce the world-famous Stilton cheese. The Grantham Canal runs along the edge of the village. | David Lally

Some villages have grown hugely over the past few decades due to the construction of housing estates and industrial estates, while others have barely changed in 500 years.

The Domesday Book of 1086 is without doubt the best way to check if a certain place existed 900 years ago and, if so, what life was like there.

Written in Latin, the book is a detailed survey of landed property in England at the end of the 11th century, recording who held the land and how it was used.

Of the 300 Nottinghamshire places included in the book, many still exist today, albeit under slightly different names.

The evolution of these settlements over the past 9 centuries is fascinating, which is why experiencing them for yourself is a must.

One Nottinghamshire village mentioned in the book had just 12 households in 1086, but by the time of the 2021 Census it had 1,799 permanent residents.

Oh, and it’s also home to one one of the most famous creameries in the UK.

Cropwell Bishop and its ‘world-famous’ cheese

Nestled just off the A46 at Cotgrave, Cropwell Bishop is a relatively large village by Nottinghamshire’s standards.

The village, as well as its northerly neighbour Cropwell Butler, forms part of the Vale of Belvoir.

At the time of the Domesday Book, Cropwell Bishop was included under the name Crophille.

Cropwell Bishop forms part of the Vale of Belvoir | Mat Fascione

Cropwell Bishop features many local amenities, including a doctor’s surgery, shop and two pubs, but its most famous business is located on the corner of Nottingham Road and Field Lane.

The Cropwell Bishop Creamery has been producing some of the UK’s finest stilton for more than 70 years.

Acquired by Somerset Creameries in 1949, the Cropwell Bishop Creamery has been widely regarded as one of the finest cheesemakers in the country for more than seven decades.

The creamery’s traditional blue stilton was recognised as the best of its kind in the world at the Nantwich International Cheese Show in 2009.

In 2024, the business opened its own tearoom, where cheese lovers can indulge in all things cheese until their heart’s content.