The Adventures of Skooby Blue (and Simon too): The start of the Jurassic Coast

The Jurassic Coast stretches over a distance of 96 miles from Orcombe Point near Exmouth, in the west, to just beyond the great chalk headland of Ballard Down and Old Harry Rocks here in the east. The coastal exposures along the coastline comprise a continuous sequence of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous rock formations spanning approximately 185 million years of the Earth's history. The rock layers along the Jurassic Coast are tilted towards the east. The oldest part of the coast is found at its west end, while progressively younger rocks form the cliffs here to the east. Old Harry Rocks mark the most easterly point of the Jurassic Coast.

The Old Harry Rocks are two chalk formations, including a stack and a stump, located at Handfast Point, on the Isle of Purbeck. 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".

local legend says that the rocks were named after Harry Paye, the infamous Poole pirate, who stored his contraband nearby.

To reach the headland and rocks I parked at Studland bay and walked along the cliff. This revealed views back towards Bournemouth & Poole Harbour. After Old Harry, A little further around the headland were views towards Swanage.