The Great Gale of 1824 Exhibition
An exhibition to commemorate the 200th anniversary of The Great Gale of 1824, which caused much destruction on the Dorset Coast.
Dorset Coast Forum, in collaboration with the Environment Agency and BCP Council bring together a free public exhibition that explores the impacts The Great Gale of 1824 left on the Dorset Coast. This hurricane-force storm left a trail of destruction, and the exhibition will feature personal stories and accounts from 1824, explore the reasons behind the storm, and discuss how we can predict and prepare for possible similar future events.
The Great Gale Exhibition Dates
The Great Gale Exhibition toured 5 locations across the Dorset Coast in October and November 2024. The exhibition was seen by over a thousand people from Lyme Regis to Poole, and due to popular demand the exhibition is returning for 2025.
Swanage – Wednesday 29th January until Wednesday 19th March 2025
PLEASE NOTE THE EXHIBITION WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL THURSDAY 13TH MARCH DUE TO THE INFORMATION CENTRE HAVING A REFURBISHMENT, APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE
Swanage Information Centre
The White House
Shore Road
Swanage
BH19 1LB
Monday – Friday 10am – 4:30pm
Saturday – Sunday 9am – 4.30pm
Chesil – Friday 21st March until Sunday 6th April 2025
Wild Chesil Centre
Portland Beach Road
Portland
DT4 9XE
Monday – Sunday 10am – 4pm
Further venues and dates will be announced shortly, please check back to this page and on our social media for updates.
If you are interested in displaying the Great Gale exhibition at your venue, please do get in touch dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Discover the Great Gale
In collaboration with Story Film and Photography, the Environment Agency presents a short film that delves into the causes and widespread impacts of the Great Gale.
This engaging overview highlights the storm’s devastating effects along the South Coast, with the Dorset coast bearing the brunt of the damage. From Land’s End to Dover, witness the far-reaching consequences of this powerful storm.
Portland Programme of Events
The village of Chiswell, Portland played witness to the cruellest forces of the great storm, it destroyed over 80 houses in the village and sadly claimed 25 lives. To commemorate those affected by the atrocity, Dorset Coast Forum collaborated with Portland based arts company, B-side to bring the public a host of events on Portland. Photos and footage of the events can be seen on our social media.
Youth Art Competition!
As part of the Exhibition, Dorset Coast Forum called upon all young artists to enter their artworks on the theme of BIG STORMS!!
The response was remarkable, with outstanding entries submitted. Dorset Coast Forum is proud to showcase the winning artworks as part of this exhibition, highlighting the talent and vision of Dorset’s youth.
Congratulations to our winning young artists!
For any more information on the exhibition or the Great Gale, please email the team at dorset.coast@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
