Cheese Rolling: An Ancient Tradition Explained

Cheese rolling is an annual event that takes place in Gloucestershire, England. The first recorded instance of the event was in 1826, but it is thought to be a centuries-old tradition, possibly dating back to pre-Roman times. The event involves participants chasing a wheel of cheese—specifically, a 7-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese—down a steep hill. The winner of the race gets to keep the cheese as their prize.

The first record of cheese rolling

Cheese rolling is one of the oldest customs in Great Britain, with some historians tracing the event back to the Roman era. The earliest date on record is, however, 1826, according to town records from Gloucester. It was already a well-established tradition at the time, and some believe it dates back centuries, perhaps as far as 600 years.

The annual event takes place on a near-vertical hillside in the village of Brockworth, Gloucestershire. It involves participants chasing a 7-pound wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down Cooper's Hill. The cheese is tossed into the air by the cheese master to start the competition, and it bounces down the 200-yard-long hill at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

The exact date a cheese was first rolled down Cooper's Hill is unknown, but it is believed to be a tradition that is now over 600 years old. Some theories suggest that it was a sport used to determine grazing rights, while others believe it is a pagan event or a fertility ritual.

The competition has separate categories for men and women, and the winner gets to keep the cheese they chased. While catching the cheese was initially part of the competition, it soon became nearly impossible due to the speed at which the cheese travels. Now, the winner is simply the first person to reach the bottom of the hill.

The origins of the tradition

Cheese rolling is one of the oldest customs in Great Britain, with some historians tracing the event back to the Roman era. However, the earliest written evidence of cheese rolling at Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire is from 1826, in the form of a letter addressed to the Town Crier of Gloucester. Even at this early date, cheese rolling was already considered a well-established tradition, with some believing it dates back centuries, perhaps as far as 600 years.

While the exact origins of cheese rolling are unclear, there are several theories about how the tradition began. One theory suggests that it was used to determine grazing rights on the commons, with local farmers using it to assert their rights to graze on Cooper's Hill. Another theory proposes that cheese rolling has pagan roots, with locals throwing burning wood down the hill to mark the New Year after winter. This is supported by food historian Emma Kay, who states that "like most customs we continue to honour today in the UK, its origins are probably pagan". The Master of Ceremonies at the event also supports this theory, choosing to lay out buns, biscuits, and sweets at the top of Cooper's Hill, which may be intended to encourage the harvest.

Other theories suggest that cheese rolling was a fertility ritual or that it was linked to offerings during pagan festivals. This may be why the original hay bales were replaced by Double Gloucester cheese, which is certainly less dangerous!

Cheese rolling has certainly evolved over the centuries, becoming a popular annual tradition that attracts locals and international visitors alike. Despite attempts to ban the event due to safety concerns, it continues to be a beloved and thrilling tradition, with participants risking life and limb to chase the coveted cheese wheel down the hill.

The cheese used in the race

The cheese is released from the top of Cooper's Hill, a 200-yard-long hill with a near-vertical 50% slope. The cheese can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour as it tumbles down the hill. To protect it from breaking apart upon impact with the ground, the sides of the cheese wheel are encased in a wooden chamber and decorated with ribbons.

The cheese-rolling event was suspended for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it returned in 2022, along with the Smart Farm's Double Gloucester cheese. The farm continues to supply the cheese for the annual event, maintaining their integral role in this long-standing Gloucestershire tradition.

The sport's rules

Cheese rolling is an extreme sport with a long history. The first known documentation of cheese rolling was recorded in 1826, though it is thought to be a sport that is now over 600 years old. The sport is steeped in history and is believed to have originated in Gloucestershire, with the annual Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake event taking place in Brockworth, a village near Gloucester.

The sport is simple: a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is sent rolling down Cooper's Hill, and contestants run after it. The winner is the first person to cross the finish line at the bottom of the hill. While the original goal was to catch the cheese, this proved too challenging as the cheese can reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

The rules of the sport are straightforward. There are five downhill races: three for men, one for women, and one uphill race for children. A maximum of 14 contestants are allowed to take part in each race, though often more join in. The Master of Ceremonies starts the race with the following:

> "1 to be ready, 2 to be steady, 3 to prepare (the cheese is released), and 4 to be off."

Contestants then throw themselves down the hill, chasing the cheese. The first person to cross the finish line is crowned the winner. The prize? The huge wheel of cheese itself!

Cheese rolling is a dangerous sport, with many participants sustaining injuries such as sprains, strains, bruises, cuts, and even broken bones. Despite the risks, it remains a popular and thrilling event, attracting participants and spectators from around the world.

The event's location

Cheese rolling is an annual event that takes place in the village of Brockworth, in Gloucestershire, England. The event is held on Cooper's Hill, a "near-vertical" hillside with a 1:2 gradient, which is about 200 yards long. The hill is so steep that very few contestants can stay on their feet while chasing the cheese, with most tumbling down the hill to reach the finish line.

The event attracts thousands of spectators from all over the world, who walk a mile uphill through farmland on public footpaths from the village of Brockworth to reach the bottom of Cooper's Hill. The spectators line the perimeter of the hill, often having to challenge their core balance by standing for several hours on uneven ground. Some even take added risks, climbing trees just to catch a glimpse of the action.

The event is free to attend and takes place on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday, which falls on the last Monday in May. The first race begins at 12 pm, but spectators are advised to arrive about an hour early to secure a good viewing spot. The bottom of the hill is said to offer the best views of the action.

For those travelling from London, Brockworth is about a 2-hour drive via the M25. It is also easily accessible by car from Birmingham, Bristol, and Oxford, with a drive time of around 45 minutes. Once in Brockworth, spectators can park in the Toby Carvery Brockworth car park and walk to the hill from there, as several roads are closed for the event. It's about a 30-minute walk from the car park to a place to watch the races. For those without a car, the train can be taken to Gloucester station, and from there, the number 10 bus can be caught to the Cross Hands roundabout in Brockworth, from where it is a short walk to Cooper's Hill.

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