Matthews Cotswold Flour Named One of Britain's Top Regional Food Producers

Bertie Matthews and some milled flour

Matthews Cotswold Flour has been rightfully recognised as one of Britain's top 25 regional producers in Speciality Food magazine and Speciality & Fine Food Fair's Regional Stars initiative: a project designed to uncover the businesses most passionate about sharing an authentic taste of their region with food lovers far and wide.

Founded in 1820 and still family-run, Matthews Cotswold Flour has earned national acclaim for its unwavering commitment to regenerative agriculture, traditional stoneground milling methods, and its support of artisan and home bakers across the UK.

“We're hugely proud to represent the Cotswolds in this list of food heroes,” said Bertie Matthews, managing director and eighth-generation miller. “From the farmers we work with to the bakers who choose our flour, it's always been about community, sustainability and variety.”

Holly Shackleton, editor of Speciality Food Magazine, told That's Food and Drink: “As a nation, we have a proud heritage of excellent produce and it's exciting to see how these 25 businesses have not only joined forces with other producers to create supportive ecosystems in their local area, but worked tirelessly with a pure focus on quality to ensure that what they create is a celebration of the land under their feet.”

Bertie Matthews in a field of local grain

Nicola Woods, event manager of Speciality & Fine Food Fair, added: “This initiative is about more than just celebrating quality products, it's about recognising the people behind them who are championing local sourcing, sustainability, and a deep-rooted connection to the place they call home. 

"These producers are the heartbeat of the speciality and fine food sector. They work tirelessly, not only to craft exceptional products, but to champion independent business, support their local economies, and build genuine relationships with their customers and industry partners.”

Matthews Cotswold Flour continues to innovate whilst also staying true to its roots, leading the charge in sustainable food production and helping to build a more resilient, localised food system. Bertie and the mill recently featured on Jeremy Clarkson's popular Amazon Prime series Clarkson's Farm. It showcased the mill's distinctive character and regional significance as well as its high standards, particularly whilst working closely with its farming partners pushing boundaries in British agriculture and milling. 

25 small-scale businesses were hand-picked from rafts of entries to share their inspiring stories of community spirit, dedication to traditional values, and hunger for showcasing the very best of their local area – and they are brought together in a special feature running in the June issue of Speciality Food Magazine. This group of passionate food lovers will join forces at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair, taking place at Olympia on 9th -10th September 2025, where they will come together to celebrate the very best of Britain's regional food and drink. 

With a milling legacy spanning eight generations, Matthews Cotswold Flour is one of the UK's oldest family-run flour mills. Trading grain and milling flour in the heart of the Cotswolds since the 1800s, the mill believes passionately that their local partnerships, traditional stoneground milling methods and premium grains make for better baking. 

They are proud to offer premium quality Organic and Stoneground Wholegrain flour, using grain from local farmers and time-honoured milling techniques. With an eye to the future and wanting to share their wealth of milling experience, Matthews Cotswold Flour is launching a New Generation Milling Apprenticeship programme that encourages and supports the next generation of millers.

https://cotswoldflour.com