Eye-opening trip to Cooper's Hill

Year 10 travelled down the M5 on the 16th Jan to  just outside Brockworth, to behold the venue of the World renowned Cheese Rolling competition which is held annually (this year the proposed date is Monday 26th May).

Cheese rolling is one of those wonderfully chaotic traditions that feels almost too wild to be real, yet it’s very much alive — especially in Gloucestershire.

 What Cheese Rolling Actually Is

At its core, cheese rolling is a race. A wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is sent hurtling down the incredibly steep hill and competitors sprint (or tumble) after it. The first person to reach the bottom wins — traditionally, they win the cheese itself. This event has been recorded since at least 1826, though many believe it’s far older.

 Why It’s So Famous

• The hill is extremely steep — people don’t so much run as bounce, slide, and cartwheel down.

• It draws competitors and spectators from all over the world.

• It’s a mix of tradition, adrenaline, and pure mayhem.

Despite its hazardous nature, it continues every spring, usually on the Spring Bank Holiday.

The Cotswold Way zigzags up towards the summit on the right hand side of the bank. The class were offered the chance to accompany the tutor to scale the bank and one of the class was eager to prove his mettle.

The bank itself is located on the north facing flank of a nature reserve and when the class all made it to the top we spent a while exploring the top of the plateau.

Walking the hill encourages discussions about erosion, land use, and how the landscape has shaped community traditions. The dramatic incline also pushes students to think about risk awareness, teamwork, and personal resilience as they navigate the terrain safely.

Looking down from the top of the bank is overwhelming. Most of the class commented on how dangerous it would be to compete and they were all amazed at how steep the bank appeared in real life.

And the view from the top really was splendid...