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.

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. The erosion is caused by the waves and tides of the English Channel, which have been pounding the cliffs for thousands of years.

The name “Old Harry” is thought to be a corruption of the Old English word “hare”, and the rocks are said to resemble a pair of hares. The larger of the two rocks is known as “Old Harry” and the smaller one is known as “His Wife”.

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.

Old Harry Rocks are a popular tourist destination and can be seen from the beaches and cliffs of Studland Bay and Swanage. They are also a popular spot for photographers and artists. The best time to see Old Harry Rocks is at sunrise or sunset, when the light is softer and the colors are more vibrant.

According to the Internet