Now officially an extreme sport, Cheese-rolling has competitors heading to Gloucester from all over the world. The Cooper’s Hill Cheese Roll is an annual race held at Cooper’s Hill, near Brockworth, Gloucester. It attracts people from around the globe who come to chase a Double Gloucester cheese down the 200-yard-long hill.

The first written evidence of cheese rolling is found from a message written to the Gloucester town crier in 1826; even then it was apparent the event was an old tradition, and is believed to be at least six hundred years old. 

The cheese used is 3–4-kilogram Double Gloucester, a hard cheese traditionally made in a circular shape- the cheese is made by local Cheese maker Mrs Smart. Each is protected for the rolling by a wooden casing round the side, and is decorated with ribbons at the start of the race. The cheese can reach speeds of up to 70mph, contestants run down the hill – the first runner to the bottom wins and the cheese is the prize.

Why not join us at The Village Kitchen and try some of our delicious cheese dishes…

Source: Visit Gloucestershire