Cherhill and Yatesbury were hit by a major weather event on 30th December 1859 which caused widespread damage. It was probably a tornado resulting from an intense thunderstorm but it was referred to at the time as ‘The Great Storm’ or as a hurricane.
There are 2 accounts below, published shortly after the event. A lot of locations will be familiar, and even the odd local surname!
The Great Wiltshire Storm – Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History magazine