World Heritage GamesAnatlasofplay

Home / Modern Heritage / Celtic and Atlantic Europe

Playable heritage game

Cheese Rolling Hill

Also known as Cheese rolling

On one very steep grassy hill in Gloucestershire a round cheese is sent bouncing down the slope and a line of runners tumbles and scrambles after it. The cheese is quicker than anyone; the first person over the line at the bottom takes it home.

Play the previewAbout this tradition
Cheese Rolling Hill: photograph by Dave Farrance
Photo: Dave Farrance, CC BY-SA 3.0, source on Wikimedia Commons
Cheese Rolling Hill: the game in attract modeLive previewPlay

Runs in your browser, works offline once loaded.

How to play

  1. On the start, tap the pad on the beat to get away fast.
  2. Then hold the side the slope bends toward: the gold marker shows the lean you need.
  3. Keep close behind the rolling cheese for points, stay on your feet over the tussocks and rough ground, and cross the bottom line first.
Rules at a glance
  • Three downhill heats; your score is the average of the three.
  • Your score counts your place, your rhythm and how long you stayed within reach of the cheese.
  • The cheese rolls faster and faster down the slope and is never caught: it is a pace to chase.
  • A tussock is cleared only when your lean has matched the slope as you reach it; rough ground shrinks the timing window.

About the tradition

Every spring bank holiday the people of Brockworth and visitors from many countries gather on Cooper's Hill, a slope of about 180 metres, for a race that has been held for generations. Winners are cheered, and the whole day is a village wake.

Origins

Usually placed in the era of Modern Heritage (1800 to today), although its exact origins are uncertain, within the cultural world of Celtic and Atlantic Europe.

Credits

Sources

Get the app

Cheese Rolling Hill is one of 18 sports and skill games in the Sports & Skill of the World app for iPhone, iPad and Android. Submitted to the App Store and Google Play; in review. Store links appear here the day it goes live. One app, many traditions, no account needed.

See all 18 sports and skill games in the app

In review on theApp StoreIn review on theGoogle Play

More games to play

  • Celtic knot weave

    Ireland +1 · Crafts and makingPlay preview · in the Textile Crafts of the World app

  • Moraingy drum-and-strike duel

    Madagascar · Wrestling and martial sportsPlay preview · in the Sports & Skill of the World app

  • Nordic Colourwork Knitting

    United Kingdom +2 · Crafts and makingPlay preview · in the Textile Crafts of the World app

  • Tartan Sett Weaving

    United Kingdom +1 · Crafts and makingPlay preview · in the Textile Crafts of the World app

  • Ribbon-Pole Plaiting Dance

    United Kingdom +4 · DancesPlay preview · in the Music & Dance of the World app

  • Ring Tilting

    Croatia · Dexterity and skill gamesPlay preview · in the Sports & Skill of the World app

More from United Kingdom

All 52 traditions from United Kingdom See them on the map