It is named after the Dovedale valley in the Peak District, near where it is produced.

Dovedale is a soft, creamy cheese with a mild blue flavour.

[1][2][3] Unusually for a British cheese, it is brine dipped, rather than dry-salted, giving it a distinctive continental appearance and flavour.

[1][3] In 2007, Dovedale was awarded Protected designation of origin (PDO) status, meaning that it must be traditionally manufactured within 50 miles (80 km) of the Dovedale valley.

[2] The original cheese was invented and is still produced at the Hartington Creamery in Derbyshire;[1][4] a version is also produced by the Staffordshire Cheese Company in Cheddleton, Staffordshire.