About Us
​
Suzie and Jonty Birrell-Gray swapped city life for the rolling hills of the North York Moors in 2019, pursuing their dream of sustainable farming and artisan cheese-making. At Abbey Farm Cottage, they raise their beloved Golden and British Guernsey goats, handcrafting award-winning Rosedale Goats Cheese using traditional methods. Their journey began with a passion for great food, ethical farming, and a love for the countryside. Today, they offer cheese-making courses, a dog-friendly farm stay, and a true taste of Yorkshire, all nestled in the picturesque village of Rosedale Abbey. Whether you're here to relax in a shepherd’s hut, try goat yoga, learn to make cheese, or sample their handcrafted cheeses, Suzie and Jonty invite you to be part of their story.
.
Jonty
A Jonty is a former Chartered Accountant and Risk Professional who swapped spreadsheets for cheese moulds. Now a dedicated cheese developer, taster, and quality controller at Rosedale Goats Cheese, he combines precision and passion to craft award-winning cheeses using traditional methods. Whether perfecting a new recipe, ensuring every batch meets the highest standards, or leading cheese-making courses at Abbey Farm Cottage, Jonty brings expertise, innovation, and a love of good food to every wheel of cheese
Suzie
Suzie is a former Chartered Surveyor who traded property plans for pastures, becoming a dedicated goat farmer, holiday cottage manager, and award-winning cheese maker at Abbey Farm Cottage. With a hands-on approach, she cares for her herd, crafts exceptional cheeses for Rosedale Goats Cheese, and ensures guests enjoy a memorable stay in the heart of the North York Moors. Whether milking goats at dawn, perfecting cheese recipes, or welcoming visitors to the farm, Suzie brings passion, expertise, and a love for rural life to everything she does.
The Goats
Smock Alley Goats a herd of Golden Guernsey and British Guernsey goats provide the rich, creamy milk that goes into every wheel of Rosedale Goats Cheese and bar of handmade goat milk soap. Raised as a kid-at-foot herd, our girls nurture their kids naturally, sharing their milk with us once a day at morning milking before returning to motherhood. At night, they enjoy a well-earned rest in their own space, giving both mums and kids a little peace and quiet. Alongside our dairy goats, we also run a small Boer meat herd, ensuring high welfare and sustainable farming practices remain at the heart of everything we do.
​