(VOVWORLD) - Cheese is everywhere in Western cuisine. In the UK, cheese has even inspired a race that calls for daring, not to say recklessness. Today, we’ll talk about a Cooper’s Hill tradition that many people love – cheese rolling.
 Cheese rolling in Cooper's Hill, Gloucestershire on May 25, 2009. (Photo: Reuters) |
The Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake in the picturesque Gloucestershire countryside is one of England’s quirkiest and most exhilarating traditions. Every spring, thrill-seekers and spectators from around the world gather on the steep slopes of Cooper’s Hill to witness this adrenaline-stoked event.
From the top of the steep slope, which is 180 meters long, with a gradient of about 50%, a 3- to 4-kilogram round of Double Gloucester cheese is sent rolling down. The participants then sprint, tumble, and roll down after the cheese.
Frank Rivers, a Briton, excitedly described the event,“Nobody really catches the cheese. The cheese is too fast. But you have to try to be the first one to the bottom of the hill. And once you get there, you get to keep the cheese.”
Though the winner receives the coveted wheel of cheese, the actual prize is the glory of conquering one of England’s most risky and unconventional challenges.
 Participants ready themselves to dive downhill for the prized cheese roll. (Photo: Musa Gulec/Flickr) |
The origins of the cheese rolling event are shrouded in mystery. While records suggest the tradition dates back to 1826, some people argue it may be far older.
“It might be to do with the farming culture in the local area, where the land for keeping sheep and cows is shared communally, and people would take part in the event to maintain their rights to access the land,” said Frank.
Another possibility is that cheese rolling evolved from ancient pagan rituals marking the arrival of summer and serving as an offering to ensure fertile land and bountiful harvests, Frank said.
The event has evolved over time, drawing participants from around the globe. By the 20th century, it had cemented its place as an iconic part of English heritage.
“I didn't know that it was quite well known until I started traveling. And then people mentioned to me this crazy video they'd seen online. And they asked me about it. It's good to attract people to different parts of England. Because often when people visit England, they just go to London. And I think London is very interesting, but the countryside in England is very beautiful. All the villages and nature are very beautiful,” said Frank.
Participating in the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling event is not for the faint-hearted. The hill’s gradient, uneven surface, and unpredictable nature make it one of the most challenging terrains imaginable. Some 2024 participants shared their experience:
“My knee got hurt a little bit but the adrenaline is still kicking in. I feel no pain at the moment. I promised my grandma that I was going to get it for her, so she's going to get the cheese.”
“I’m so happy I won again. I don’t know how close the race was, but I just tumbled down. I did my best and the Lord really helped and gave me strength. I’m totally fine. I did a lot of sports growing up, so I’m used to batter down.”
“It was wild. It goes quickly but you’re really in the moment. So at the same time, you feel everything. My first 25 meters, I had my feet and then they disappeared and I was rolling. At some point, I managed to kick my knee onto something and apparently I came in first.”
 An injured participant is treated at the finish line of a cheese rolling event in 2009. (Photo: Ninjawil/Flickr) |
Bruises, sprains, and fractures are common among participants, and many have been stretchered off the hill over the years. Yet, the risks are part of the appeal for many racers. The thrill of tumbling down Cooper’s Hill, cheered on by a lively crowd, outweighs the potential for injury.
But the race has indeed faced challenges over the years, including crowd management and environmental impact. In 2010, it was cancelled due to rising insurance costs and fears about participants’ safety.
“In the past, it hit someone at the bottom and caused some serious injuries. It was replaced for one year by a replica. And then it went back to being real cheese,” said Frank.
 A Master of Ceremonies at the Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake, holding one of the famous Double-Gloucester cheeses. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons) |
The community rallied to keep the tradition alive as an unofficial, volunteer-led event. The event offers more than adrenaline for participants. It’s an opportunity to push their limits, connect with a time-honored tradition, and share a communal experience. Meanwhile, spectators delight in the event’s chaos and camaraderie, cheering for both the daring and the hapless.
“I think the thing that makes me feel interested in it is that we don't really have many things like this in England. English people are generally quiet. In the countryside they're generally quite mild, quite well-mannered and gentle. So it's quite interesting to see something this extreme take place,” said Frank.
Whether you’re a seasoned racer, a curious tourist, or a casual observer, this event offers a slice of English culture as bold, unpredictable, and unforgettable as the hill itself. You may leave with muddy shoes or a bruised ego, but you’ll also carry home a story of one of England’s most delightfully eccentric traditions.