Old Harry Rocks

Old Harry Rocks are three chalk formations, including a stack and a stump, located at Handfast Point, on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, southern England. They mark the most easterly point of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Location

Old Harry Rocks lies directly east of Studland, about 1.5 miles northeast of Swanage, and about 3 miles south of the large towns of Poole and Bournemouth. To the south are the chalk cliffs of Ballard Down, much of which is owned by the National Trust. The rocks can be viewed from the Dorset section of the South West Coast Path

Formation

The chalk of Old Harry Rocks used to be part of a long stretch of chalk between Purbeck and the Isle of Wight, but remained as a headland after large parts of this seam were eroded away. As the headland suffered hydraulic action (a process in which air and water are forced into small cracks by the force of the sea, resulting in enlarging cracks), first caves, then arches formed. The tops of the arches collapsed after being weakened by rainfall and wind, leaving disconnected stacks. One of these stacks is known as Old Harry. Old Harry's Wife was another stack which was eroded through corrosion and abrasion, until the bottom was so weak the top fell away, leaving a stump. Hydraulic action is the main cause of erosion (sheer force of the wave) that damaged the rock and caused it to fall away.

Geography

The downlands of Ballard Down are formed of chalk with some bands of flint, and were formed approximately 66 million years ago. The bands of stone have been gradually eroded over the centuries, some of the earlier stacks having fallen (Old Harry's original wife fell in 1509), while new ones have been formed by the breaching of narrow isthmuses. Across the water to the east The Needles on the Isle of Wight are usually visible. These are also part of the same chalk band and only a few thousand years ago were connected to Ballard Down.

To form the stacks, the sea gradually eroded along the joints and bedding planes where the softer chalk meets harder bedrock of the rock formations to create a cave. This eventually eroded right through to create an arch. The arch subsequently collapsed to leave the stacks of Old Harry and his wife, No Man's Land and the gap of St Lucas' Leap. The large outcrop of rock at the end of the cliffs is often referred to as "No Man's Land".

Old Harry is formed by erosion processes, which will eventually remove the stack, whilst new stacks develop. Some people desire to preserve the rocks and protect them from the erosive processes that formed Old Harry. The National Trust, who own the stacks in perpetuity, have experience in looking after the coast, and have found that "working with natural processes is the most sustainable approach".

Legend

There are various stories about the naming of the rocks. One legend says that the Devil (traditionally known euphemistically as "Old Harry") slept on the rocks. Another local legend says that the rocks were named after Harry Paye, the infamous Poole pirate, whose ship hid behind the rocks awaiting passing merchantmen. Yet another tale has it that a ninth-century Viking raid was thwarted by a storm and that one of the drowned, Earl Harold, was turned into a pillar of chalk.

See also

  • List of places on the Jurassic Coast
  • The Needles

Bibliography

  • The Jurassic Park Trust (2003). A Walk Through Time, the Official Guide to the Jurassic Park. Coastal Publishing. ISBN . 

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Chaya Or
28 October 2013
Old Harry Rocks is really worth going to. It's a beautiful place, you might have to hike up the hills to see the amazing view but it's so worth it.
Vadim
11 December 2017
If you're here for a great photo it's better to go at sunrise rather than at sunset as the sun goes down behind your back. There is a free toilet just near the parking in Studland.
Svetlana S.
30 January 2014
Beautiful cliff formations, worth going on a sunny day. just don't forget your rubber boots :)
Nicole Gore
12 October 2014
Outstanding views! Went for a bike ride from Bournemouth to here, was such a great day out.
Hardo Müller
12 April 2011
Scenic rock formation at the coast, easy to access from Studland but watch out the cliffs.
Alexander Belov
14 January 2012
Реально красивые скалы, дух захватывает!
Load more comments
foursquare.com
8.7/10
Dan S., Ekaterina Mikheeva and 52,969 more people have been here
Map
0.3km from S W Coast Path, Swanage BH19 3AN, UK Get directions
Fri 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sat-Sun 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Mon 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
Tue Noon–6:00 PM
Wed 2:00 PM–3:00 PM

Old Harry Rocks on Foursquare

Old Harry Rocks on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Arbour House B&B

starting $101

Town Hall Lodge B&B

starting $155

YHA Swanage

starting $64

Amberlea Guest House

starting $85

Railway Cottage

starting $126

Robertsbrook Guest House

starting $107

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
The Pinnacles (Dorset)

The Pinnacles are two chalk formations, including a stack and a stump,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Durlston Castle

Durlston Castle stands within Durlston Country Park, a 1.13

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Tilly Whim Caves

Tilly Whim Caves consists of three stone quarries in Durlston Country

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Anvil Point Lighthouse

The Anvil Point Lighthouse is a lighthouse located near Swanage in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Dancing Ledge

Dancing Ledge is part of the Jurassic Coast near Langton Matravers in

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Bournemouth

Bournemouth  ( listen) is a large coastal resort town on the south c

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle is a fortification standing above the village of the same

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
St. Aldhelm's Chapel, St. Aldhelm's Head

St Aldhelm's Chapel is a Norman chapel on St Aldhelm's Head in the

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Love Valley (Aşk Vadisi)

Love Valley (Aşk Vadisi) is a tourist attraction, one of the Rock

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Beachy Head

Beachy Head is a chalk headland in Southern England, close to the town

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Haystack Rock

Haystack Rock is a 235-foot (72-meter) sea stack in Cannon Beach,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Gurnard's Head

Gurnard's Head (Cornish: Ynyal, meaning desolate one) (grid reference

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Paşabağı

Paşabağı is a tourist attraction, one of the Rock formations in Ça

See all similar places