Event Details
What is Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling?
Every last Monday of May, a quiet hillside near Gloucester transforms into the global capital of gloriously mad tradition. At the Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake, hundreds of fearless competitors hurl themselves down a near-vertical slope in pursuit of a rolling wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. The first person to cross the finish line at the bottom wins the cheese. In 2027, the event takes place on Monday 31 May 2027, the UK's Spring Bank Holiday.
History and Tradition
The precise origins of Cheese Rolling are lost to history. Theories suggest the tradition may have begun at least 600 years ago, possibly as a pagan celebration marking the return of spring or as a way of affirming grazing rights on common land. The earliest written record dates to 1826, at which point the event was already considered an ancient custom. Despite repeated warnings from local authorities and the absence of any official organising body, Cheese Rolling has survived entirely through community spirit and the sheer determination of those who keep it alive.
Highlights
- Seven races from 12:00 noon, every 15 minutes
- Four downhill races: three men's, one women's
- Three uphill races: children's categories and mixed adult
- Unofficial open race at the end for anyone who dares
- Free entry, no registration or ticket required
- International competitors from around the world
- Last official race at approximately 1:30 PM, event over by 2:00 PM
Race Schedule
Racing begins at 12:00 PM BST with the first men's downhill race. Subsequent races follow every 15 minutes: children's uphill (under 11), second men's downhill, older children's uphill (12 and over), women's downhill at approximately 1:00 PM, mixed adult uphill at 1:15 PM, and finally the third men's downhill at 1:30 PM. The Cooper's Hill course is approximately 180 metres long with a 1:2 gradient. The cheese wheel reaches speeds of up to 70 mph (113 km/h) and cannot realistically be caught; the first runner across the bottom line wins.
How to Take Part
There is no official registration and no entry fee. Anyone aged 18 or over who wishes to race downhill simply needs to present themselves at the top of the hill before the relevant race begins. Children may participate in the uphill races. Protective clothing and padding are strongly recommended; the slope is steep, uneven and covered with loose rocks, twigs and stinging nettles. All participants take part entirely at their own risk.
Visitor Tips
- Aim to arrive in Brockworth by 10:00 to 10:30 AM at the latest; the best spots at the finish line fill up by 11:00 AM.
- Allow around 30 minutes on foot from the car parks through muddy fields and woodland to reach Cooper's Hill; follow the signs or the crowd.
- Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear as the approach path crosses working farmland.
- Spectators on the sides of the hill have good sightlines even further back.
- Book accommodation in Gloucester or Cheltenham well in advance; demand is high over the Bank Holiday.
- Entry is entirely free and no ticket is needed.
