Talk and Tea: Somerset and the Weather

Weather has played a powerful role in shaping Somerset’s landscape, communities and history for more than two millennia. In this fascinating talk, historian Tom Mayberry explores how dramatic weather events from catastrophic floods to violent storms have influenced the county from Roman times through to the modern day.

Drawing on vivid historical accounts, Tom will examine the devastating impact of the Great Flood of 1607, which swept across the Bristol Channel and transformed countless lives, as well as the extraordinary storm of 1703, regarded as one of the most destructive in British history.

The talk will also look at how Somerset’s people have adapted to, endured, and learned from extreme weather over the centuries including droughts, tempests, and the more frequent flooding events of recent decades. Finally, Tom will reflect on what these past experiences can teach us as we face the growing challenges of a changing climate today.

Join us for an insightful journey through Somerset’s weather‑shaped past, and discover how the forces of nature continue to influence the county’s future.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Somerset Rural Life Museum, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, United Kingdom

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