What is the Cheese Rolling event?

It's an annual event in Gloucestershire where brave/nutty locals chase a large round cheese down a near-vertical grass slope.  It's a combination of "this is common land: we assert our rights to run all over it, so don't fence it off Evil Landowner!" and "Let's have a few beers and go and see who breaks their leg first".  There are also uphill races (!) for those who are too fit and keen to drink beer.

Are you serious?

Yes, we are.  It's been happening for a long time - at least a hundred years - and although there are many minor injuries each year, more serious harm is rare.

Where is the Cheese Rolling event?

It's held on a very steep hillside above Brockworth in Gloucestershire, England.

When is the Cheese Rolling event?

This year the event has been cancelled.  More details are available at the News Blog page.

Is it easy to get to and watch?

No, it's very difficult indeed.  Please don't try and attend the event!  The slope itself is at the top of a serious hill and is not easily accessible, except by foot and only when the weather is good.  Only about 2,000 people can actually see the races and last year the Police estimate 15,000 people tried to get there.  Most people who try to attend the event will spend hours stuck in their cars and, if they actually make it to the hill in time, won't be able to see the slope where the races happen anyway.

Is there any car parking?

Probably not.  Last year there was some parking in a field near the hill, but the roads around the event were blocked with traffic jams for a few miles in every direction, including right back onto the M5 motorway.  If we can come up with a traffic plan that works, we may try to have some parking, but it won't be easy to get to.  Please don't try to drive to this event.  If you have to bring a car, park it a long way away and walk the rest of the way: the roads around the hill itself will be slow or blocked for the duration of the event.

So why don't you make more room for people, put a big road up there, organise it better?

Because it's a local event, at a very old site.  The lane is OK for the few houses on the tiny road for the rest of the year.  There are NO facilities for lots of cars, big crowds or the runners.  Please don't come to the event - watch it from home afterwards, or on an Internet webcast from a local pub.