See Dorset’s iconic Old Harry Rocks from a new perspective
On an Autumnal sunny Sunday, our directors, instructors, partners, grandparents, kids and dogs set off from Studland’s South Beach Car Park to walk to one of Dorset’s most iconic landmarks.
Our aim – to reach Old Harry Rocks from the beach on a super-low spring tide.
We love Autumn at Land & Wave. After a full-on Summer of adventures with schools, stags and tourists galore, we can reclaim the weekend and spend some quality time together.
The Route
Start at South Beach National Trust car park, next to the Bankes Arms pub in Studland.
Head down the hill past the pub and take the path on the left towards the beach. See signs for Joe’s Beach Cafe.
Once you’re on the beach, head right towards Old Harry Rocks.
This is more challenging than your average beach walk – you are essentially walking on the sea bed. Expect a mixture of walking on sand, slippy seaweed and uneven rocky ground.
Make sure you walk right to the end – it’s well worth the effort.
What We Saw
It’s a sea forager’s delight. We found scallops, squat lobsters, a red-eyed blue velvet crab and razor clams.
Lift up rocks and you’ll be amazed at what’s lurking beneath.
The biggest spectacle, of course, is seeing the iconic white cliffs up close from the shoreline. You’ll be amazed by the complex series of caves, sea stacks and sea arches seen at base level. In the glow of the late afternoon sunshine, it really is breathtaking.
Walking With Kids
Daisie, our 5-year old adventurer, is usually pretty partial to a piggyback . However, she was so captivated by the caves, rock pools and twisting rock formations, that she walked / scrambled the whole way. This is proper ‘Famous Five’ stuff.
Pushchairs are an absolute no-go.
Parts of the walk involve hopping over rock pools and traversing pretty slippy seaweed, so make sure you have enough hands free to help little ones traverse the trickier parts.
What Is A Spring Tide?
Spring Tides occur twice a month all year through.
The tidal range is greater when there is a full moon or new moon.
At these times, the combined gravitational pull of the sun and gravitational pull of the moon causes the ocean to swell more than normal. This means there’s an increase height in high / low tide. This is a Spring Tide.
The term ‘Spring Tide’ describes the tide ‘springing forth’. It’s nothing to do with the Spring season.
What You Need
- Wellies or waterproof walking boots are essential – it’s very wet underfoot
- Warm clothes – it’s pretty chilly in the shade of the rocks
- A camera – the pink glow of sunset on the white cliffs is spectacular
- Check the tide times. Set off just before lowest tide to give yourself enough time to get there and back
- Always tell someone where you’re going and what time you expect to be back
Land & Wave helps people have incredible adventures in Dorset, the UK and Europe.
Every school holiday we run a Kids Adventure Holiday Club that helps kids discover the great outdoors.
Visit our website: www.landandwave.co.uk
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Get out there and find your adventure…#AdventurePeople
