S3 E30 The Avalanche of Christmas Past (Bonus Episode)

As the festive season wraps us in warmth and cheer, nature reminds us of its unpredictable power in this chilling Christmas bonus episode of Dark History. Join Rob and special guest Leon McAnally, author of A Guide to Dark Attractions in the UK, as they uncover a forgotten tragedy from 1836—the devastating Lewes avalanche that claimed lives and shattered a small English town between Christmas and New Year.

This is not the story of snowflakes and merriment but one of towering snowbanks, a thunderous collapse, and the haunting aftermath for a tight-knit community. Picture the South Downs looming over Lewes, accumulating snow until the inevitable—an avalanche that obliterated Boulder Row and buried its inhabitants. Through immersive storytelling and vivid soundscapes, you'll hear the roar of the snow, the frantic rescue efforts, and the mournful quiet that followed.

Rob and Leon reflect on the human bravery, the stark lessons of living at nature's mercy, and the lasting impact this event had on the town of Lewes. From gentle snowfall to thunderous disaster, this episode paints a vivid picture of one of England’s most unexpected tragedies.

So grab your warm drink, sit by the fire, and prepare for a snowy tale of resilience, loss, and the indomitable spirit of a community that faced nature’s fury head-on.

Merry Christmas, and may your New Year be safe and bright.

Transcript

[Intro Music: Ominous tones with soft bells chiming in the background]

Rob: Hi everyone and welcome back to the dark history podcast where we explore the darkest parts of human history. hope everyone is well I’m Rob your host as always. Welcome to season 3 episode 30. Today on this little Christmas bonus we are joined by Leon McAnally, friend of the show and author of A Guide to Dark Attractions in the UK. So Please welcome back, Mr Leon McAnally. Leon! How was your Christmas Leon?

Leon: Hi Rob thank you for having me back, I really excited about this episode having mentioned this in my book, I have had a love Christmas what about yourself? 

Rob: Today. today, we’re bringing you a little Christmas bonus episode whilst you digest your turkey and copious amounts of alcohol. This time, we’re unearthing a chilling story from England’s history — an avalanche that struck between Christmas and new year in the 1800s, claiming many lives and leaving a small community shattered. 

Leon: Thanks, Rob. It’s always a pleasure to join, especially for stories like this. Avalanches aren’t something you’d typically associate with England, which makes this event all the more haunting. It’s hard to imagine such a tragedy happening so close to Christmas.

Rob: Absolutely. When we think of avalanches, we think of the Alps or the Rockies, not the rolling hills of England. But this one happened in Lewes, East Sussex, and it’s a story that deserves to be remembered. Anyway without further ado please site back and relax next to the fire for more dark history.

[Sound Effect: Gentle snowfall transitioning into a low rumble]

Rob: Picture this: It’s December 1836. The small town of Lewes is blanketed in snow. The South Downs, which overlook the town, have been accumulating heavy drifts for days. The people of Lewes are busy preparing for Christmas, lighting fires to keep warm, and decorating their homes, unaware that disaster is looming above them.

Leon: Snowfall that year was exceptional. The South Downs, already steep in places, became a perfect trap for drifting snow. Reports from the time described walls of snow building up, particularly above the town’s Cliffe Hill area. For days, people must have looked up at the towering snowbanks with a mix of awe and unease.

Rob: At the base of the hill stood a row of cottages known as Boulder Row. These homes belonged to working-class families, many of them laborers who had little choice but to live in what must have felt like the shadow of a ticking time bomb. Despite the growing snowbanks, life went on. Children played in the snow, and families prepared for the holiday.

Leon: But on the 27th of December, the inevitable happened. Around midday, the accumulated snow gave way. A massive avalanche hurtled down the hill, obliterating everything in its path. Boulder Row was directly in the line of fire.

[Sound Effect: A sudden crash, followed by muffled cries and silence]

Rob: Witness accounts from that day are harrowing. Survivors described hearing a deep, thunderous roar before the avalanche struck. In seconds, homes were buried, families trapped beneath tons of snow and debris. The holiday cheer turned into a nightmare.

Leon: Rescue efforts began almost immediately, but they were chaotic. The townsfolk dug frantically with whatever they could find — shovels, hands, anything. The snow was packed so tightly that it was like chiselling through rock. Many worked tirelessly into the night, desperate to save their neighbours.

Rob: Out of the eight cottages in Boulder Row, only a few people survived. The final death toll was eight — men, women, and children. For a small community, it was a devastating loss. And just days after Christmas, the tragedy cast a long shadow over the town.

Leon: It’s worth noting the incredible bravery of the townspeople during the rescue efforts. Even in the face of such overwhelming odds, they didn’t give up. But the heartbreak of losing loved ones so close to Christmas lingered for years.

[Sound Effect: A crackling fire and faint church bells in the distance]

Leon: What’s particularly striking about this story is how it reshaped the town. After the avalanche, people began to understand the danger of building homes in such vulnerable spots. The tragedy forced a reckoning with the landscape and the risks it posed.

Rob: A memorial was erected to honor those who lost their lives. It’s still there today, a quiet reminder of that snowy day in 1836. And while Lewes is better known for its bonfire celebrations, this story lingers as part of its darker history.

Leon: It also serves as a warning about how nature, even in a place as seemingly tame as the English countryside, can turn deadly in an instant. It’s a sobering reminder of the power of the natural world.

Rob: And there’s something about the timing, isn’t there? The avalanche happened right between Christmas and New Year, a time when families were meant to be celebrating together. Instead, this small community was mourning. It’s a story that’s as tragic as it is unforgettable.

[Outro Music: Soft, somber piano fading into silence]

Rob: That’s all for today’s episode of Dark History. Thank you for joining us for this special Christmas bonus episode as we explored this chilling tale from England’s past. Before we go, how was your Christmas? Did you uncover any dark or unusual stories of your own this holiday season? Let us know on social media. also links to Leons book A Guide to Dark Attractions in the UK and all his social media will be bellow. If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review.  As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts or suggestions for future topics. I just want to thank you leon for joining us and taking the time out of your Christmas break to record at this festive episode.

Leon: Thanks for having me, Rob. This has been another fascinating dive into the past that you never would have thought would have taken place in England 

Rob: So everyone! Have a very Happy New Year from dark history! Thank you again to leon and for listening, Join us next season, for our first episode of season 4 , as we delve into another event and more dark history.