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All the United Kingdom England Dorset Old Harry Rocks

Old Harry Rocks

65 million-year-old chalk outcroppings mark the end of the Jurassic Coast.

Dorset, England

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Alex Timian
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Old Harry Rocks   Nick Farnhill
Old Harry Rocks   Nick Farnhill
From the north Studland Bay   Cmcqueen
Old Harry Rocks in October 2015   lina / Atlas Obscura User
Old Harry Rocks in October 2015   lina / Atlas Obscura User
Old Harry Rocks in October 2015   lina / Atlas Obscura User
Old Harry Rock   adrianfarwell / Atlas Obscura User
Old Harry Rocks   Adrian Farwell (Atlas Obscura User)
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Old Harry Rocks in October 2015   lina / Atlas Obscura User
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Old Harry at sunset   TStrawbridgePhotography / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Standing guard on the coast of England near Dorset, are the massive Old Harry Rocks. Formed over millions of years, the white outcroppings prominently mark the end of the Jurassic Coast, a fossil-rich line of cliffs that come to an abrupt halt near the pillars.

Also known as sea stacks, the rocks formed somewhere around 65 million years ago from the buildup of plankton and other microorganisms. Made completely of chalk, the white rocks were named some time during the 18th century, before erosion had caused some of the other stacks in the grouping to fall. According to legend, the stacks were named Old Harry as a euphemism for the devil, who allegedly used to nap on the rocks.

Another story tells of the pirate and smuggler Harry Paye who stashed his loot somewhere near the rocks. During the late 19th century, one of the most prominent outcroppings, considered Old Harry's "Wife," crumbled under years of decay and crashed into the sea.

During WW2 British Spitfire and Hurricane pilots used to use the stacks for target practice and scuba divers diving off the rocks still occasionally find .303 shell cases on the sea bed.

Eventually all of the stacks will fall, but new ones are constantly emerging as the sea forms them over millennia.

Related Tags

Natural Wonders Geological Oddities Rock Formations Geology Nature

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You can park the car on the side of the Manor Road (South Beach car park) and walk from there, about 30-40 minutes. The full National Trust walk is about 2 hours on relatively easy terrain.

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atimian

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Russ Arno, adrianfarwell, Dr Alan P Newman, enagy...

  • Russ Arno
  • adrianfarwell
  • Dr Alan P Newman
  • enagy
  • lina
  • rbenn250
  • TStrawbridgePhotography
  • mintconfetti

Published

November 16, 2011

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Old Harry Rocks
S W Coast Path
Handfast Point
Dorset, England, BH19 3AN
United Kingdom
50.64261, -1.922826
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Fort Henry

Swanage, England

miles away

Valentine Tank Wrecks

Dorset, England

miles away

The Scout Stone

Dorset, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Dorset

Dorset

England

Places 9
Stories 3

Nearby Places

Fort Henry

Swanage, England

miles away

Valentine Tank Wrecks

Dorset, England

miles away

The Scout Stone

Dorset, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Dorset

Dorset

England

Places 9
Stories 3

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