Easy methods to Attend the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling : Insider Ideas!

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It’s the final Monday in Could on Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire, England, and I’m standing on a frighteningly steep slope, prepared to look at 25 daredevils hurl themselves down after a wheel of cheese.

That is the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling.

“One to be prepared!” calls out the grasp of ceremonies on the high of the hill.

“Two to be regular!”

The rivals, laser-focused on the route forward, metal themselves for the descent. As for me, spectating on the facet, my footwear are sinking into free grime and I’m hoping I can keep upright lengthy sufficient to {photograph} them.

“Three for the cheese!”

At this level, the grasp of ceremonies throws out a seven-pound Double Gloucester cheese, wrapped in crimson and blue ribbons. That cheese could attain speeds of 70 miles per hour earlier than it hits the end line.

“4 to be off!”

And with that, the boys leap off the hilltop and race down — slipping, falling, somersaulting, and getting up once more earlier than they’re taken down a second, a 3rd, a fourth time.

Not one in all them will catch the cheese. No person ever catches the cheese.

This weblog publish was printed in Could 2026, primarily based on attending the cheese rolling in Could 2026.

Four women running and sliding down the hill

What’s the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling?

The Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling is an epic occasion that has been going down for a minimum of a couple of centuries. On the UK’s spring financial institution vacation (the final Monday in Could), folks line as much as watch folks hurl themselves down the steepest hill within the area, vying to chase the cheese.

Opposite to in style aid, they aren’t making an attempt to catch the cheese. It’s a race to the end line.

(And for many rivals, the end line is the place they’re grabbed and tackled by a neighborhood rugby participant so that they don’t find yourself operating into the group.)

So how did this loopy occasion begin? No person is aware of for certain, however there are many theories on the market. Some speculate the custom has pagan roots and was a celebration of the start of the summer season.

Three men running down the hill, one in a bright green onesie.

It’s best to know that regardless of its fame, the Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling is technically an unofficial occasion, as a result of security danger. Damaged bones are widespread. In 2025, the hospital despatched a number of land ambulances and one air ambulance for victims.

And due to this, there is no such thing as a official organizer, as they must take accountability for the accidents. Consequently, there isn’t an organized security plan, both — simply written warnings that you just put your self in danger by taking a part of this race and even by being a spectator.

There are a number of rounds of races: 4 downhill races (three for males and one for ladies, as some folks say, as a result of males are thrice extra silly than ladies), and three a lot safer uphill racers: for youths (beneath 11s and age 11-17) in addition to combined adults.

So what does the winner get? The primary particular person to cross the end line will get to maintain the cheese. And, you already know, the ETERNAL GLORY that comes with successful!

And the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling acquired much more well-known in the previous few years, when it was featured within the first episode of the Netflix documentary We Are The Champions. My husband Charlie and I liked the episode a lot, we instantly determined to attend it ourselves!

A bright green empty super steep hill with only a few people on it.
We went to Cooper’s Hill the night time earlier than the occasion, simply to see it with out the crowds.

Easy methods to Get to Cooper’s Hill

Cooper’s Hill is situated within the city of Brockworth in Gloucestershire, England. The 2 closest fundamental cities are Gloucester and Cheltenham, that are simply accessible by bus.

To get to Brockworth, you possibly can both drive or take public transportation. For driving, road parking is strictly prohibited, however there’s parking out there behind the Toby Carvery, costing 10 kilos for the day. That is proper throughout from the doorway to the general public footpath resulting in Cooper’s Hill.

For public transportation, there are two fundamental bus traces that run from Cheltenham down the A46 (Painswick Highway/Shurdington Highway), which has a bus cease proper on the public footpath resulting in Cooper’s Hill. These bus traces are the ten and 166.

Sure — there’s a footpath. That is essential.

If you happen to ask Google Maps the best way to get to Cooper’s Hill, it can take you from the A46 up Inexperienced Road, a really steep and intensely slim road, finally main you to the hill. It should get you there, nevertheless it’s an extended, steeper, and fewer nice journey.

As an alternative, take the Cooper’s Hill Footpath, which is about three quarters of a mile and largely uphill. It takes round half-hour, however anticipate it to take longer on the day of the cheese rolling.

A sign tucked among trees reading Public Footpath Cooper's Hill 3/4.

The doorway to the Cooper’s Hill Footpath is situated to the suitable of the Shell Station in Brockworth. You possibly can see the signal above.

It is a hyperlink to the precise spot on Google Maps.

There is just one Shell station in Brockworth, however simply understand it’s throughout from the Toby Carvery and the Subway. And the ten and 166 buses drop you off at this intersection.

How early do you have to get there? We acquired to the footpath entrance at 9:45 AM and had been on the hill by 10:20 AM. It labored out, however I believe leaving 20 minutes earlier for a ten:00 AM arrival would have been optimum.

A group of people walking down a footpath in a line and waiting to go through a gate
Strolling down the Cooper’s Hill Footpath, going via the gate one after the other.

Strolling the Path to Cooper’s Hill

Guess what — even in the event you’re solely going as a spectator, you can be climbing uphill as nicely! Cooper’s Hill is only one hill perched on a collection of hills.

When you begin on the footpath, you’ll be strolling alongside a flat space subsequent to farmland. Up subsequent, there could also be a bottleneck on the gate, as just one particular person can undergo at a time. When strolling via the gate, you climb over a rock.

And from there, it’s time to climb, climb, climb up the primary of some hills. The terrain is steep however largely easy, although when you get greater, there is likely to be some gnarlier pathways.

(And if it’s a wet or lately wet day, anticipate there to be quite a lot of mud.)

A long line of people walking up a grassy hill.

There isn’t a lot shade alongside the route, although you’ll hit some timber nearer to the highest. It is a great spot to catch your breath.

The excellent news is that the surroundings is totally beautiful alongside the best way, particularly in the event you get a sunny day like I did.

The unhealthy information is that this path isn’t accessible to wheelchair customers or folks with mobility difficulties.

Frankly, I’m undecided if wheelchair customers can attend this occasion in any kind, although it might most likely be simpler for all folks with mobility difficulties to keep away from the footpath and get dropped off on the street as near the highest as doable. Remember the fact that this street too may be very steep.

A woman at a stand selling water and ice cream just before the hill.
One of many meals sellers, simply earlier than Cooper’s Hill.

Easy methods to Watch the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling as a Spectator

As quickly as you attain the underside of Cooper’s Hill itself, prepare for pandemonium! Everyone seems to be clamoring for a great place on both facet of the hill.

We arrived on website at about 10:20 AM. Simply earlier than attending to the bottom, there have been a couple of folks promoting water, ice cream, and some meals objects, shouting that this was the final probability to get any meals or drink. Additional on, there are folks promoting cheese rolling merch, largely t-shirts and hats.

We even got here throughout a person gifting away free samples of Double Gloucester cheese!

A man holds out samples of cheese to try.
Cheese samples, anybody?

After which comes the onerous half — the place is one of the best place to look at the cheese-rolling?

From what I learn beforehand, it’s higher to look at nearer to the underside than the highest. You get a greater vantage level that manner. And with my aim of getting pictures and movies of the occasion, I made a decision to remain comparatively near the underside and stand on the left facet (as seen from the underside of the hill).

Issues had been extra sophisticated as a result of it was a sunny day. The left facet was within the shade, however a part of the suitable facet was proper within the solar, and seemed like it might be depressing standing there on such a scorching day (it was a record-breaking 31 C or 88 F that day).

Now this turned the hardest a part of the day: climbing the facet of the hill. I hadn’t realized simply how tough it might be!

A group of people sitting on the hill beneath tree cover.

The hill was lined with dry grime, with a thick layer of leaves on high of it. It was like climbing scree on a mountain — each time I put my foot down, it might sink behind me, and I couldn’t get an excellent grip.

Earlier than lengthy, I used to be climbing with my fingers in addition to my toes, getting a lot grime beneath my fingernails. I reached out for timber to carry onto.

Sadly, I misplaced my sun shades on this climb. I knew the overall space the place I had misplaced them and ordinarily I might have retraced my steps, nevertheless it was so steep and so lined with leaves that I simply determined to depart them.

Kate and Charlie take a smiling selfie, looking sweaty and red as they just climbed the hill.
Me and Charlie in our authentic seat.
Kate taking a smiling selfie while standing next to the hill.
Me standing by the sting, the place I photographed the races.

Charlie and I instantly sat down in a spot about 20 toes from the orange fence creating the spectator part, however I moved to the sting simply earlier than the races to {photograph} them.

And whereas Charlie and I had traction the place we had been sitting, there was virtually no traction the place I ended up by the sting. I might change backwards and forwards between sitting and standing, utilizing the fence to carry myself up.

Finally, I stood on a tiny tuft of grass, and imagine me — for 90 minutes, my toes held onto that tuft for pricey life!

Kate's white sneakered feet perched on a tiny tuft of grass, surrounded by dirt.
This little tuft saved my life that day.

However then got here the races. And whereas every of them had been over in seconds, it was so exhilarating being surrounded by folks, cheering for the rivals, chanting, “Cheese! Cheese! Cheese!” and watching them do essentially the most uncomfortable-looking flips and slides you’ve ever seen!

All in pursuit of tacky glory.

This yr, German YouTuber Tom Kopke received the primary males’s race for the third yr in a row. He beat Chris Anderson, a neighborhood legend who holds the Guinness world file: 23 wins between 2005 and 2022. Anderson truly got here out of retirement to run once more this yr.

And Anderson’s son William was the boy winner of the Beneath 10s race! Ariadne received the Beneath 10s for the women, whereas the older children’ race winners had been Xander (additionally a part of the Anderson household) and Dotty.

The ladies’s race was received by Alix Heugas from France. The opposite males’s races had been received by Niels of the Netherlands and Otto of Florida within the US (am I shocked Florida Man received a race like this? NOT ONE BIT!).

And let’s not overlook the combined adults uphill race — Jamie received for the boys, and Ariel Dempsey for the ladies. And so they’re each native.

A group of adults running uphill in the uphill competition.
The grownup uphill race was thrilling!

Photographing the Cheese Rolling

The Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling is without doubt one of the most difficult-to-photograph occasions I’ve ever skilled. Tougher than Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Songkran in Thailand, Up Helly Aa in Shetland.

You’ll be taking pictures folks at breakneck speeds, so that you’ll must optimize your digicam settings. Both shoot in sports activities mode, in case your digicam offers you that choice, or shoot at a shutter pace of 1/1000 or quicker to ensure that it to not be a blurry mess. Make certain your focus settings are right, as nicely.

Use an excellent zoom lens, however you don’t want a safari-like wildlife lens. My lens went from 17-70, and I used to be proud of the size.

If all you’ve gotten is a smartphone, you’ll undoubtedly get pictures, nevertheless it’s powerful to get good ones — particularly at a distance. It’s simple for all the things to finish up trying grainy and blurry.

Racers getting ready to race up the hill, but half of them are in blown out light and half of the are normal.
That is an unedited photograph from my large digicam — so that you see how harsh the sunshine was!

Sadly, as any photographer is aware of, sunny climate situations make issues way more sophisticated. At midday on the very sunny day when the race began, half the hill was in daylight and half was in shade.

This made it exceptionally tough to get the sunshine proper — in most of my pictures, half of the photograph is blown out too shiny, and the opposite half is manner too darkish.

Sadly, quite a lot of my pictures weren’t salvageable — however I did one of the best I might with what I had.

One final thing — a couple of associates requested if I introduced my Insta360 digicam, which I like and use typically on my travels. I didn’t use it for the Cheese Rolling as a result of the digicam is finest for selfies and close-up pictures with a cool background. It’s not a digicam I might suggest for an occasion like this.

Women in bright yellow and red dresses dancing with handkerchiefs, one holding up a wheel of cheese.
These dancers had been a beautiful and sudden a part of the day!

Cheese Rolling Schedule and Timing

I used to be glad I used to be sitting in my place at 10:30 AM — the fanfare started at 10:40 AM with a girl carrying a maypole, adopted by a drummer and a gaggle of dancers, every of them twirling with handkerchiefs of their hand. One in every of them held up the cheese, wrapped in its blue and crimson ribbons.

That was it for the pre-festivities. The race began at 12:00 midday sharp, and races befell each quarter-hour, alternating between the downhill and uphill races.

That is the schedule:

  • 12:00 PM: Males’s Downhill Race #1
  • 12:15 PM: Uphill race (age 10 and beneath)
  • 12:30 PM: Males’s Downhill Race #2
  • 12:45 PM: Uphill race (age 11-17)
  • 1:00 PM: Girls’s Downhill Race
  • 1:15 PM: Uphill race (adults)
  • 1:30 PM: Males’s Downhill Race #3

And as soon as it’s over, everybody simply leaves. Since I used to be standing subsequent to the fence, I simply hopped it and trotted down the hill.

Kate standing in front of a sign reading cheese Roll 26. She wears a dress with a button-down line shirt on top, a baseball cap, sneakers, and sunglasses.
The one full-length photograph of me that day!

What to Put on and Convey to the Cheese Rolling

A very powerful factor is to decorate for the climate. I attended the cheese rolling in 2026, which sadly was a record-breaking day for warmth within the UK in Could, with temperatures hitting 31 C (88 F).

Due to that, I dressed evenly however for solar safety. I wore a lightweight merino wool costume from Wool&, topped it with a long-sleeved gentle button-down I purchased in Bristol, and added a baseball cap. I additionally wore loads of sunscreen.

(FYI: Don’t be shocked in the event you see quite a lot of Brits dressed skimpily and turning shiny crimson. Absorbing each little bit of solar you possibly can is a nationwide pastime. However I urge you not to do that. It’s a great way to finish up burned and depressing.)

Know that the climate is usually cool and wet, and the hills get VERY muddy. If so on the day you’re attending, costume warmly and put on a hooded raincoat (a lot simpler than climbing with an umbrella) and rain pants.

Put on good sneakers, ideally mountain climbing sneakers. You’ll be climbing a steep hill with very uneven terrain. And when you get to the precise Cooper’s Hill, you’ll be standing on a steep hill of free grime if it’s a dry day, or quite a lot of mud if it’s a moist day.

Convey a water bottle — and maybe a little bit of meals. Water is crucial, particularly if it’s scorching out. I ate a decent-sized breakfast and didn’t really feel the necessity for meals, however you might have considered trying some. Protein bars are nice for sudden starvation pangs!

Convey a waterproof picnic blanket or one thing to sit down on. Everybody was sitting within the grime and everybody had telltale grime marks on their butts by the top of the day. (Aside from me. Charlie advised me each little bit of grime on my Wool& costume brushed proper off!) If it’s a wet or muddy day, you’ll need one thing waterproof.

Don’t overlook moist wipes. I used to be always brushing grime off my fingers and scraping grime out from beneath my fingernails. Moist wipes would have been heaven-sent.

A strolling stick would have been useful. Not only for climbing the hill at first, however for holding your self in place whereas standing on that steep hill in the course of the competitors.

A backpack is simpler to hold than a handbag. Take note you’ll possible be climbing the hill in your fingers and knees.

Several men racing down the hill with horror on their faces.

Easy methods to Enter the Cheese Rolling

So that you truly wish to enter the cheese rolling? Nicely, okay! Perceive that you’re risking grave damage and it’s not unusual for folks to interrupt bones at this competitors.

Right here’s one thing that will get unnoticed of the Cooper’s Hill cheese rolling protection: not everybody who plans to race truly will get to race. There are 4 downhill races — three for males, one for ladies — and they’re every capped at 25 individuals.

In 2026, greater than 250 folks confirmed up desirous to race. Inevitably, it led to disappointment.

If you wish to race, present up on the high of the hill and make your self identified to the organizers. I might suggest getting there by 10:00 AM on the newest.

And in the event you don’t get to race, you’ll be allowed to run down the hill independently on the finish. Loads of would-be entrants did that as an alternative.

And you’ll want to costume for hurling your self down a hill. Gown comfortably for athletic exercise. Among the extra severe rivals wore athletic onesies, they usually seemed very snug.

You might wish to put on a helmet — loads of folks wore them. Put on footwear which are tightly mounted to your toes; a bunch of racers misplaced footwear alongside the best way.

And please don’t carry a digicam whereas operating. Everybody who did that seemed ridiculous and actually struggled. If something, put on a GoPro with a chest strap so your fingers are free.

Do folks put on costumes for the cheese rolling? Just a few did. Apparently somebody wears Borat’s mankini yearly. This yr he had shorts on over it. BRING BACK THE FULL MANKINI!

People waling down a hill with gorgeous undulating hills in the distance.
How stunning is that this view?

Leaving the Cheese Rolling

As quickly as the ultimate race befell, that was it — there was no ceremony or anything, and everybody started to depart. A tiny bit anticlimactic.

Since I used to be standing on the sting of the hill, simply behind the orange fencing, I hopped over it and headed down the hill, trotting a bit on the finish. There! I technically rolled, too!

Charlie and I rejoined the hordes on the backside of the hill and slowly made our well past the fencing, the merch sellers, and the ice cream sellers, till we started heading down the hill.

And from this angle, we actually appreciated simply how stunning the view was. Gloucestershire is SO stunning!

The Cheese Roller Pub, a big light blue building.

As soon as we had completed the trail, we determined to hop on the bus to the Cheese Curler’s Pub, situated within the city of Shurdington. Each the 166 and 10 buses had been operating usually, so we hopped on the 166 bus and had been there a couple of minutes later.

The Cheese Curler’s Pub isn’t the official after-party for the racers, regardless of its title — however plenty of cheese-rolling spectators headed right here after, which gave it a convivial environment.

Plus, there was some cheese rolling memorabilia there, together with a cheese rolling-themed beer on faucet and a tribute to Chris Anderson!

A photo of Chris Anderson reading "Sunday 5th June 2022 Chris Anderson won his 23rd cheese!"

Because it was a fantastic day, the again backyard was in full swing, with tons of picnic tables out.

At one level a bit of boy got here in together with his household, his eyes extensive, clutching a ribbon-wrapped wheel of cheese. It was so cute!

By then we had been fairly hungry, and we instantly mauled some hen fingers, fried mac and cheese bites, and chunky chips. After a couple of hours, a couple of ciders, and two waffle cones from the ice cream truck, we headed again to our resort.

A hotel room with a big white bed.
My room on the Cheltenham Chase Resort.

The place to Keep For the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling

There are many resorts near Cooper’s Hill — some inside strolling distance, and an ideal many inside a brief bus journey. My high advice is to remain in a spot the place you possibly can both stroll or take the bus to the Cooper’s Hill footpath so that you don’t have to fret about driving.

On my journey I stayed on the Cheltenham Chase Resort and Spa, which was SO shut (only a five-minute stroll from the Shell station and the beginning of the strolling path). Sadly, I can’t suggest it.

The mattress was extraordinarily mushy and sloped surprisingly, pointing up like a triangle. I’ve had mushy beds earlier than, however by no means sloped and pointing like that, and I used to be a bit uncomfortable after one night time and in ache after two nights.

We confirmed up at 5:00 PM and housekeeping nonetheless hadn’t been achieved; we might lastly test in at 6:00 PM and the hallway was lined with trash and soiled linens. One night time we had a dinner reservation at 7:30 PM, however an hour after we had been seated, our server sheepishly advised us they hadn’t even began cooking but.

For what it’s value, the resort did refund us 30% after I introduced these points to their consideration, and the pool and spa space was good, if fundamental. However I wouldn’t wish to keep there once more, and for that purpose I can’t suggest it to you.

Right here is the place I might suggest staying as an alternative:

Prime-Rated Inns close to Cooper’s Hill

Premier Inn Gloucester (Little Wicombe) — This may be my first selection of the place to remain. I’m a giant fan of Premier Inns and have stayed at many throughout the UK. They’re reasonably priced and easy, however per respectable beds (although you’ll wish to spring additional for the quick wifi). This one is an 11-minute stroll from the doorway to the Cooper’s Hill Footpath.

The Greenway Resort & Spa — If you need an opulent place to remain, that is a fully beautiful manor with an indoor pool, jacuzzis, a tremendous eating restaurant, and superbly appointed rooms. It’s proper on the bus path to the Cooper’s Hill Footpath.

The George — If you happen to’d relatively keep within the close by metropolis of Cheltenham (which is gorgeous, particularly if you would like spa time or purchasing time!), this stylish, fashionable design resort is near the bus that takes you to Cooper’s Hill Footpath.

Kate standing in front of a traditional British red phone booth, which now contains a defibrillator instead of a phone.
There’s a lot to see on this a part of England!

Past Cooper’s Hill: Your England Itinerary

The place else do you have to go close to Cooper’s Hill to make it a full journey? You may keep in London the entire time in the event you wished to, however I counsel you discover southwest England as an alternative! There are SO many great locations to go to that may be tacked on to the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling.

And whereas a few of these locations are finest skilled by rental automotive, just like the Cotswolds, and South Wales, you can too discover Bristol and Oxford completely nicely by practice!

Listed below are a couple of of my ideas:

An old-fashioned golden stone house perched on a canal.
Decrease Slaughter was one of many prettiest locations within the Cotswolds.

Cotswolds

The Cotswolds are a fully beautiful area a stone’s throw from Cooper’s Hill. If you happen to’re attending the cheese rolling but in addition wish to expertise among the most stunning small villages in England, the Cotswolds is the place it is best to prioritize.

When it comes to cities to go to, I like the attractive waterside space and out of doors pubs in Bourton-on-the-water; the busier, extra native really feel in Cirencester (SIREN-sester); the quiet of Decrease Slaughter and Higher Slaughter; and the quiet magnificence of Moreton-on-Marsh.

The Cotswolds are finest explored by a rental automotive. We stayed in a single day on the Slaughter Nation Inn in Decrease Slaughter and preferred the property and appreciated staying in a single day someplace good and quiet.

On an earlier journey to the Cotswolds, I stayed at The Manor Home in Moreton-on-Marsh, which was superbly appointed and situated proper on the town.

When it comes to small-town village life, you possibly can’t do higher than the Cotswolds.

Row houses painted bright colors in Bristol, England.
I liked the colourful homes of Bristol!

Bristol

Bristol is such a cool metropolis — and it actually flies beneath the radar in comparison with different British cities! If you happen to’re a metropolis one that loves eating and purchasing and nightlife and exploring neighborhoods, I believe it is best to take the time to discover Bristol!

Absolutely the spotlight of our time in Bristol was consuming at Wilson’s, a Michelin-starred restaurant featured within the Apple TV+ collection Knife Edge: Chasing Michelin Stars. Charlie and I do an honest quantity of tremendous eating and this was the most effective meals both of us has EVER had. Each course had us saying, “Wow.” Advance reservations are important; we booked months prematurely.

Along with Wilson’s, we loved testing the Clifton Suspension Bridge and its observatory earlier than mountain climbing beneath it in Leigh Woods, wandering the indie outlets on Gloucester Road, having fun with some ciders on patios, and testing the waterfront, together with touring the S.S. Nice Britain. We additionally had an ideal fashionable Indian dinner at Nutmeg Road Kitchen.

We stayed on the Novotel Bristol Centre, which was snug, in an honest location, and had its personal parking storage.

Bristol is a spot we will certainly be visiting once more. If solely to eat at Wilson’s!

The ancient Roman baths of Bath, England, surrounded by Georgian architecture.
Tub can be value a go to! Through Shutterstock.

Tub

Tub is a metropolis situated near Bristol, and it has one main attraction: the Roman Baths! Sure, these baths have been right here since Roman instances!

If you wish to truly bathe in Tub, you’ll want to go to the Thermae Tub Spa, because it’s the one place within the UK the place you possibly can bathe in naturally scorching spring water. Past that, Tub has stunning Georgian structure and is a beautiful place to wander round for a bit.

I personally haven’t been to Tub since I used to be 17 years previous and on my first journey to England EVER (I’ve now had dozens if not lots of of visits and some stints dwelling there too!), however I keep in mind having fun with it fairly a bit.

Tub is a well-liked selection for day journeys from London, however you possibly can get pleasure from it rather more in the event you keep in a single day. I personally get pleasure from staying in a single day in in style day journey locations; it actually exhibits you a unique facet of the city as soon as everybody else goes residence.

A round tower at Oxford University, on a green surrounded by a fence with lots of bikes locked to it.

Oxford

Oxford is within the excellent place — it’s proper between London and Cooper’s Hill, making it an ideal place to take a look at for the day and even in a single day. And it occurs to be simple to get to by practice.

I visited Oxford a couple of years in the past and actually loved my in a single day there!

Oxford is a college metropolis, and the place has a enjoyable youthful air and many cool outlets, meals markets, and eating places. It’s additionally a filming location for most of the Harry Potter movies, and in the event you’re a fan, you’ll acknowledge quite a lot of it! You too can tour among the schools of Oxford.

Don’t miss punting down the river Cherwell. You possibly can punt your self, or rent a driver to take you down the river.

Rows of used books for sale with a sign labeled "all books 1 pound" in Haye on Wye, Wales.

South Wales

Now, this is likely to be a bit sudden — however Cooper’s Hill is definitely a brief drive from the south of Wales! I actually love this a part of Wales.

You possibly can go to town of Cardiff, however even nearer is one in all my favourite locations within the UK — Hay-on-Wye, the used bookstore capital of the world! It’s a pleasant city, and you can be in heaven in the event you’re a reader!

If you happen to really feel like going additional afield, the Pembrokeshire coast is totally beautiful. I actually loved the city of Tenby however want to see rather more of that area. And in the event you’re going additional afield than the cities, it’s finest to have a rental automotive.

You possibly can examine my full South Wales street journey right here.

Kate and Charlie take a smiling selfie while holding cocktails.
We loved cocktails at Psychopomp Microdistillery in Bristol!

Our Lengthy Weekend Itinerary

Charlie and I deliberate an extra-long weekend, flying into London Heathrow on Thursday and flying out on Tuesday. We visited quite a lot of locations at a really quick tempo — quicker than what I normally suggest to folks — so I’m going to point out you what we did, with the caveat that I’d suggest most vacationers go a bit slower.

Thursday: We landed at 11:00 AM, picked up our rental automotive, and drove to the city of Henley-on-Thames, the place we acquired lunch at a pub overlooking the Thames. We drove to the Cotswolds subsequent and visited Stow-on-the-Wold and Burton-on-the-water earlier than attending to Decrease Slaughter, the place we stayed in a single day on the Slaughter Nation Inn.

Friday: After breakfast, we walked from Decrease Slaughter to Higher Slaughter and again (about an hour), drove to the vigorous Cotswolds metropolis of Cirencester, and briefly checked out the city of Tetbury earlier than driving to Bristol and checking in on the Novotel Bristol Centre.

That night, we ate on the Michelin-starred Wilson’s, which is without doubt one of the finest meals both of us have EVER had in our life, and I like to recommend to any foodie.

Saturday: We spent the entire day in Bristol, testing the Clifton Suspension Bridge and its observatory, mountain climbing via Leigh woods, consuming meals, purchasing, and testing the cool outlets on Gloucester Road earlier than getting a wonderful fashionable Indian dinner at Nutmeg Road Kitchen.

Sunday: After a morning of exploring Bristol’s waterfront and the S.S. Nice Britain, we drove to Gloucester to take a look at the church; on reflection, Gloucester was bleak and we want we had skipped it. We drove to Brockworth and checked into our resort, the Cheltenham Chase Resort and Spa. That night, we drove to Cooper’s Hill to test it out and met plenty of folks doing the identical factor.

Monday: Cheese rolling day! We headed out at about 9:30 AM and had been on the hill by 10:20 AM. After the rolling, we walked down the footpath and jumped on a bus to the Cheese Curler’s Pub in Shurdington, the place we spent the afternoon. That night we swam within the resort pool and chilled out.

Tuesday: We drove to Cheltenham for breakfast, purchasing, and exploring the beautiful downtown. After that, we drove to Windsor for lunch and an amble by the citadel, then we headed again to the airport.

A line of rugby players at the finish line getting ready to catch everyone.
I like how the native rugby workforce catches and tackles folks on the end line!

Cooper’s Hill Journey Ideas

Guide manner forward and put together for crowds. Spring financial institution vacation weekend within the UK is the equal of Memorial Day Weekend within the US — tons of persons are touring, and it serves because the unofficial kickoff of the summer season journey season.

You don’t essentially should fly into London. You possibly can fly into Bristol or Birmingham and even Cardiff. If you happen to’re flying into London, I like to recommend both Heathrow or Luton, as a result of they’re on the west of town.

Know that there aren’t any bogs at Cooper’s Hill. Go earlier than you go!

A group of men running down the hill, chasing the cheese.

Goes to the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling value it?

I’m actually glad that I went to the cheese-rolling, however for me I believe it is a one-and-done exercise. I’m very glad I did it, and I had a good time, however I don’t really feel the necessity to do it once more.

For me, the toughest half was climbing into the spectator space, and maintaining myself upright whereas standing on the free dry grime on the extraordinarily steep hill.

My recommendation to you is to go to the cheese-rolling, plan your journey fastidiously, and luxuriate in it to the fullest! That is really one of the crucial particular occasions you possibly can expertise within the UK.

Is the Cooper’s Hill cheese-rolling your form of expertise?

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