Paxton and Whitfield, the London cheesemonger founded more than two centuries ago, has brought back its Artisan Cheese Advent Calendar for 2026. It costs £175 including UK delivery and holds 24 cheeses, each at least 75g, sent in three fresh, chilled deliveries through December rather than one box that sits on a shelf. It was available to order on the official Paxton and Whitfield cheese advent calendar page on 14 October 2026.
Fresh cheese, not a cardboard countdown
The big difference from other food calendars is freshness. Instead of sending 24 days of cheese at once, Paxton and Whitfield splits the calendar into three parcels of eight days each. You choose Friday 27 November as the first delivery date, and the next two parcels follow on Friday 4 December and Friday 11 December, according to Paxton and Whitfield. Each parcel is packed for its journey and goes straight in the fridge.
What is inside the Paxton and Whitfield cheese advent calendar 2026?
The line-up stays a surprise until you open each numbered box, but Paxton and Whitfield gives a clear picture of what to expect:
- 24 cheeses chosen by its cheesemongers, each at least 75g.
- Every cheese hand-cut and hand-wrapped, with some small whole cheeses where the team thinks they are best.
- A mix of British and European artisan cheese, from Christmas classics such as Cheddar and Stilton to lesser-known styles, seasonal highlights and special buys.
- Tasting notes for each cheese, introducing its character, its maker and ideas for serving it.
Source: Paxton and Whitfield product page, 14 October 2026.
What we think
At £175 with delivery, you pay about £7.30 a day for at least 75g of cheesemonger-chosen cheese, which works out at a minimum of 1.8kg across the month. For artisan cheese from a specialist, delivered three times and properly chilled, that is fair. The three-delivery format is the real selling point: soft cheeses arrive in good condition, and you are not trying to fit 24 days of cheese in the fridge on 1 December.
The catches: you cannot see the line-up in advance, so it is a leap of faith if you dislike blue or washed-rind cheeses. Someone needs to be home, or have a safe chilled spot, on three Fridays. And Paxton and Whitfield says the calendar is home delivery only, with no click and collect from its shops.
If you would rather pick your own cheeseboard, Field & Flower sells British artisan cheese online, from Barber’s 1833 Cheddar to its Cornish Camembert, delivered in a flexible box.
Who is it for?
It is a lovely gift for a cheese lover, a couple who enjoy a cheeseboard, or a family that wants a savoury alternative to chocolate. It is less suited to anyone away from home in early December. For other ideas, see our men’s advent calendar guide and our pick of food boxes.
Price and availability: the essentials
- Price: £175, including UK delivery.
- Contents: 24 artisan cheeses, at least 75g each, with tasting notes.
- Deliveries: three fresh parcels on 27 November, 4 December and 11 December 2026.
- Limits: home delivery only; made in strictly limited numbers, according to Paxton and Whitfield.
Order the Paxton and Whitfield Artisan Cheese Advent Calendar while stocks last.
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