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Woolsack Races
| This is arguably the final legacy of the wool trade which was pivotal to the Cotswold economy in the Middle Ages. Teams of four run up and down Gumstool Hill in relays, carrying a 60lb sack of wool. The total distance is approximately 280yards, passing between two pubs, The Royal Oak and The Crown. Women can also enter although they carry wool sacks weighting 35lbs. There is also a separate event for 16-18 year olds but it is not for the feint hearted as the hill reaches a 1 in 4 gradient in some parts. The origins The origins of the race are unclear but it is thought that dating back to the 17th century, young men used to try to impress prospective girlfriends by carrying wool up and down the hill. In the present day, the event is a charity fun raiser and there is also a fete with entertainment and stalls. |
Useful Information
Nearby Towns: Malmesbury, Cirencester
Nearby Cotswold Hotels: The Old Bell Hotel, Pettifers, Wild Thyme and Honey
Similar Cotswold Attractions: Randwick Wap, Short Distance Walks (11-50 miles), Shorter Distance Walks (less than 10 miles), St Briavels Bread and Cheese Dole, The Rococo Gardens, The Rollright Stones, Long Distance Walks (100 miles+), Medium Distance Walks (50-100 miles), Oxford Botanic Gardens, Painswick Ancient Clypping Ceremony, Arlington Mill, Badminton Horse Trials, Cheese Rolling at Cooper’s Hill, Cheltenham Gold Cup, Cotswold Olympic Games, Golf Courses, Hidcote Manor
