Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake

Name: Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake
Start: 2025-05-25
Location: Brockworth

Britain’s Wildest Race for Glory and Cheese

2026/05/24

Every spring, one of the world’s most eccentric and thrilling traditions comes alive in the English countryside: the Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake. Held on the last Monday in May at Cooper’s Hill near Brockworth, Gloucestershire, this festival draws daring competitors and thousands of spectators, all eager to chase a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down a dangerously steep slope. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or simply want to witness Britain’s quirkiest festival, the chaos and laughter of this event will leave you with memories for a lifetime.

From the moment you arrive, the air is filled with anticipation, laughter, and the earthy scent of trampled grass. Costumed participants line up at the top of the infamous hill, the cheers of the crowd echo all around, and you can savor local cheese and cider-it’s a full sensory immersion into the living festival spirit of the English countryside.

Main Attractions

The Legendary Cheese-Rolling Race: Tumult Down the Slope

The main event is, of course, the cheese-rolling race. At noon, the town crier shouts, “Are you ready?” and a 7–9 pound (about 3–4 kg) wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is sent tumbling down the 200-yard (about 180 m), 50% gradient hill. Dozens of contestants in costumes or sportswear throw themselves after the cheese, tumbling, sliding, and somersaulting their way to the finish. The first person to cross the line wins the cheese (although the cheese itself, reaching speeds of up to 110–130 km/h, almost always gets there first!). There are separate races for men and women, as well as uphill races for children, making it a multi-generational spectacle.

Signature Events, Costumes, and Community Spirit

Throughout the day, multiple cheese-rolling races keep the excitement high. Children’s uphill races, local rugby teams waiting at the bottom to catch tumbling participants, and the tradition of the MC tossing out sweets and biscuits for luck all add to the fun. Contestants’ costumes range from superheroes and animal onesies to classic British attire, making the scene even more colorful. The cheese is decorated with ribbons, the hill is adorned with banners and flags, and the roar of the crowd fills the air.

Traditional Food and Local Drinks

Local vendors serve up thick slices of Double Gloucester cheese, pork pies, sausage rolls, and freshly baked bread-classic British fare. The aroma of sizzling sausages mixes with the scent of grass, and cider and real ale are freely poured. Children and spectators enjoy biscuits and toffee apples, and tasting the winner’s cheese-or buying some for yourself-is a must for many visitors.

Cultural and Historical Background

The origins of the Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake are shrouded in mystery, but the earliest record dates to 1826, by which time it was already described as an “ancient tradition.” Some say it began as a ritual to maintain grazing rights on the common land, while others link it to pagan fire festivals celebrating the arrival of summer and a good harvest (in earlier times, burning bundles or torches were rolled down the hill). The act of rolling down the hill is thought to symbolize the sun, abundance, and the cycles of the seasons, deeply connecting the festival to the local landscape and agricultural life.

For the local community, this festival is far more than entertainment or a tourist attraction-it’s a symbol of pride and communal bonds passed down through generations. Officially banned in 1998 for safety reasons and again canceled in 2009, the event was revived by the determination and unity of local residents in 2011. Today, it attracts participants and spectators from all over the world and stands as a living cultural heritage that embodies British humor, the spirit of challenge, and resilience in the face of adversity. With every cheese that rolls down the hill, the region’s history, pride, and the passion of those who keep the festival alive create new stories every year.

Participant Voices

I came from Canada just to watch, and it was even crazier than I imagined! The energy of the crowd, the laughter, and the sense of community were incredible. I spoke with a local who’s competed for decades-he laughed and said, “I’ve broken my arm twice, but I’d never give it up.”

Fun Facts

The hill’s slope is about 50% (26.6 degrees), so most participants end up rolling rather than running. The cheese can reach speeds of nearly 130 km/h (over 80 mph).
Double Gloucester cheese is handmade, weighs 3–4 kg, and is decorated with ribbons for the race.
Local rugby teams wait at the bottom to catch tumbling racers.
No fatalities have been recorded, but broken bones and bruises are common. Protective clothing is highly recommended!
Anyone over 18 can participate-just line up at the top of the hill on the day.

Festival Dates

The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is held every year on the last Monday in May (Spring Bank Holiday) at Cooper’s Hill, Brockworth, Gloucestershire, England. Races start at noon, and anyone over 18 can join by simply lining up at the top of the hill on the day.