Cheese-Rolling at Cooper's Hill

PLUS Tetbury Sack races
GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND, 25 MAY 2009

cheese rolling

1 Day Tour - TBC

See photos of the 2008 Cheese Rolling Tour!

The May Bank holiday tends to bring out the crazy side of the residents in Gloucestershire, & we will take you to two of the most quirky but adrenaline pumped events in the UK.

We will start with the famous Coopers Hill Cheese Rolling, which involves competitors standing at the top of Coopers Hill, (which is at points a 1–1 gradient) and racing after a 7-8lb Double Gloucester cheese which is released from the top of the hill and rolls to the bottom. The winner is the first to catch the cheese, or the first to the bottom of the hill (Will it be you?)

Sack race - copyright Cotswold Photo Library
After that, we will drive to the beautiful market town of Tetbury, and hopefully be in time to watch the finals of the annual Tetbury Sack Races. This event which originated in the 17th Century, involves competitors running the 240 yard uphill course carrying a 60lb woolsack.

An official race day has been going for over 30 years now with world records entered in the Guinness book of Records, and attracts runners from around the world to see if they can become 'World Champions'. However we will be there as spectators only to watch the finals and enjoy the accompanying street fair and roving entertainers.

whats included

Transport to and from Gloucestershire and the services of a Pillow tour rep. There is no entry fee for the cheese rolling or sack races.

whats NOT included

All meals and drinks, any souvenirs you wish to buy.

The Details

Itinerary

  • Monday Bank Holiday 25 May

    Meet at Embankment tube station at 7.30 am on Monday 25 May for 7.45am sharp for the 3 hour drive to Gloucestershire. Arrive at Coopers Hill for the first Cheese Rolling race at 12 noon and stay at Coopers Hill until the final race at 13.30pm. Then depending on how quickly everybody gets back to the coach, we will take the 45 minute ride to Tetbury to watch the finals of the Tetbury Woolsack Races Finals which start at 15.15 until 15.45.

    We will leave Gloucestershire at approx 16.45 and will arrive back in London at approx 19.45 in time for the party to continue at Walkabout at Embankment.

Video of Cooper Hill Cheese Rolling

Cost of the Tour

  • Cost per person: TBC