If you think Cotswold traditions are all about afternoon teas and manicured gardens surrounded by stone walls, you’ve clearly never seen a grown man hurtle down a 1:2 gradient hill after a wheel of Double Gloucester!
For our holidaymakers and tour guests, the charm of the Cotswolds often lies in its pure ‘Englishness’. But beneath that quaint exterior lies a centuries-old love for the eccentric. If you want to see the real England, you have to witness our traditional games.
The ‘Olimpick’ spirit & Cooper’s Hill cheese roll
We can proudly boast that long before the modern Olympics, we had the Cotswold Olimpick Games in Chipping Campden (dating back to 1612). The highlight? Shin-kicking. Competitors stuff their trousers with straw (or don’t!) and take turns kicking each other in the shins until one submits. It’s as brutal and brilliant as it sounds.
Not far away, the Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling sees brave (or mad) souls chasing an 8lb wheel of cheese down a near-vertical grass-covered ‘cliff’. It’s world-famous, chaotic, and quintessentially Cotswold. The last event took place in May 2025 and was won by German YouTuber Tom Kopke, retaining his title for the second consecutive year.
From racing woolsacks to playing in the river
In Tetbury, we honour our heritage with the Woolsack Races. Since the 17th century, locals have sprinted up one of the steepest streets in town while carrying a 60lb sack of wool on their backs. It’s a gruelling nod to the trade that built these honey-stoned towns, and a privilege to take part in.
For something wetter, the classically Cotswolds town of Bourton-on-the-Water hosts the August Bank Holiday tradition of Football in the River. The local team plays a full match in the knee-deep waters of the River Windrush. If you are lucky enough to witness it, expect a lot of splashing, no recognisable footwork, and thousands of cheering spectators lining the banks.
Pub games & PoohSticks
If you prefer your sports with a drink in hand, look out for an Aunt Sally pitch in the pub garden. Primarily found in Oxfordshire and the Cotswold fringes, this popular game involves throwing wooden batons at a wooden ‘dolly’ perched on an iron post. It’s harder than it looks, and much more fun than it sounds!
Finally, for the young at heart, there is Poohsticks. While played globally, the bridges over the Windrush or the Eye in Upper Slaughter provide the perfect setting for your own version of this Winnie-the-Pooh classic. Meanwhile, down the road and just over the Cotswold border in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, the World PoohSticks Championships are held every May.
Experience the eccentricity with Rosehill Travel
Many of these events happen on specific dates and draw huge crowds, making parking and navigation a logistical nightmare for visitors.
At Rosehill Travel, we specialise in getting you to the heart of the Cotswold traditions without the stress. Whether you want to witness the shin-kicking in Chipping Campden or simply want a private driver-guide to take you to the best Aunt Sally pitch in the region, we’ll handle the logistics while you enjoy your experience. Ready to see the quirkier side of the Cotswolds? Contact us to plan your 2026 summer holiday or tour.
