26-27 Nov 1703
Britain's worst ever storm, known as the Great Storm, destroyed many towns as well as Eddystone Lighthouse. Daniel Defoe, the author of Robinson Crusoe, counted 17,000 trees down in Kent alone. The wind blew at more than hurricane force - 117 kph (73 mph) or more, suddenly increasing in strength with huge gusts at about 4 pm on the 26th. At least 123 people were killed on land but 8000 men were thought to have drowned at sea. Over 400 windmills were wrecked, some because the intense friction of the rotating blades set their timbers on fire. Churches also suffered particularly badly: at least seven lost their steeples, lead roofing was rolled up and carried away by the wind, and a spire in Stowmarket, Suffolk, was blown off and sent 8.5 metres (28 feet) down the length of the church before crashing through the roof.

Winter 1813-14
The last of the Thames Frost Fairs took places on the ice covered river.

27 Dec 1836
An avalanche of snow killed eight people at Lewes, Sussex.

22 July 1858
During a heatwave, the temperature at Tonbridge in Kent was recorded at 38ºC (100.5ºF), Britain's unofficial highest ever recorded temperature.

25 Oct 1859
The ship Royal Charter was wrecked off the North Welsh coast in a severe storm. Almost 500 people died.