Harrison's Rocks

Harrison's Rocks are a notable example of a periglacial tor landform, developed in rocks of the Tunbridge Wells Sand Formation of the Wealden Supergroup of early Cretaceous age. Harrison's Rocks is composed of a soft sandstone, which is prone to being worn away.

Harrison's Rocks has been owned by the British Mountaineering Council since 2009, and is managed by a local group of volunteers known as the Harrison's Rocks Management Group.[1]

There are approximately four hundred short climbs at Harrison's Rocks, ranging widely in difficulty. Climbing is exclusively protected by means of a "top rope". This is the same as at all Southern Sandstone outcrops. Lead-climbing is prohibited for two main reasons. Firstly, it is dangerous because the rock is too friable; any gear placed in the sandstone cracks would easily rip out in the event of a leader fall. Lead-climbing is also discouraged for reasons of conservation - it is unacceptable for climbers to risk further damage to the thin rock crust on the surface of the crags. Unconsolidated and friable sand lies beneath this crust. Deep rope-grooves can be seen in places at Harrison's Rocks and are testament to the fragility of the rock.

All of the climbs are quite short, with the highest at approximately 30 feet (9 m) and the lowest at 15 feet (5 m). Most climbs have a ring drilled and set into the rock at the top for setting up a top rope, but some rely on the use of tree trunks for protection.

In 1981, Doctor Who was filmed at Harrison's Rocks. It was Peter Davison's first transmitted story, Castrovalva (Doctor Who). [2]

A campsite was set up at Harrison's Rocks as a memorial to Julie Tullis, a former club member, who died on K2 in August 1986 after reaching the summit with Kurt Diemberger. The campground is owned and looked after by the Forestry Commission.

Geology of East Sussex

Media related to Harrison's Rocks, East Sussex at Wikimedia Commons

51.098344°N 0.186580°E / 51.098344; 0.186580