A world-famous phenomenon, Gloucestershire's annual Cheese Rolling event attracts thousands of spectators and brave competitors from all over the world to Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, who are determined to keep this wacky tradition alive.
Whether you dare to chase the cheese or want to watch safely from the sidelines, discover exactly what Cheese Rolling is and when you can catch the action in 2025.
When is Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling in 2025?
The famous Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling happens every year on spring bank holiday, with the next event due to take place on Monday 26 May 2025. Races start from 12pm.
What is Cheese Rolling?
A long-standing tradition, the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling is a race like no other, where participants throw themselves down Cooper's Hill after a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese.
The 180-metre hill is so steep (with a 1:2 gradient, it's the steepest slope in Gloucestershire, in fact!) that very few contestants manage to stay on their feet and end up tumbling down the hill in a desperate attempt to catch the coveted dairy prize.
While the cheese can never actually be caught — with a brief head start, it soon reaches breakneck speeds of up to 80mph! — the Cheese Rolling winner is the first person to cross the line at the bottom of the hill.
When did Cheese Rolling start in Gloucestershire?
No one knows for sure when Gloucestershire's famous Cheese Rolling tradition began, but some sources believe it to be at least 600 years old.
Historical evidence of Cheese Rolling was found in a message to the Gloucester town crier in 1826 — it's the first known written evidence of the event but even back then, the tradition was thought to be incredibly old indeed.
Although the origins are unknown, theories suggest it may have started as a pagan festival to mark the start of summer.
Cheese Rolling takes place as an unofficial event every year. While it was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the cheese was still rolled to keep the tradition going, of course!
Who can take part in Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling?
Participants must be over 18 to race down Cooper's Hill, with no registration needed — simply turn up at the top of the hill on the day.
Multiple races are held throughout the day, with separate downhill races for men and women and uphill races for children.
Is Cheese Rolling dangerous?
It's certainly not for the feint-hearted! Cooper's Hill is a very steep, eroding hill, with loose rocks, twigs and stinging nettles on the way down. Participants rarely manage to stay upright, meaning there's a real potential for injury — and protective clothing is strongly recommended!
While there aren't any known deaths associated with the Cheese Rolling in Gloucestershire, there have been a catalogue of interesting injuries, with reports of people breaking bones and even getting zapped by lightning!
Cheese Rolling has no official organising body, so racers must remember they are taking part at entirely their own risk.
Who is Cheese Rolling champion?
Tom Kopke from Germany won the first men's race at the 2024 Cheese Rolling — and has even pledged to return in 2025 to defend his title.
Australian competitor Dylan Twiss won the second men's race in 2024; with Abby Lampe from North Carolinia in the USA winning the women's race for the second time.
Finally, local lad Joshua Shepherd won the final men's race in 2024, bringing it home for Brockworth and becoming a second-time champion.
