Shared description
Marsden Rock
In 1830, Peter Allan, landlord of The Marsden Grotto located on the beach opposite the rock, along with two assistants, constructed a flight of steps up the side of the rock. The steps took two weeks to erect, and eventually visitors could climb to the top and purchase refreshments from a tent.
In 1903 several choirs climbed onto the rock to perform a choral service.
In 1911 a large section of the rock collapsed into the sea, leaving a magnificent natural arch that featured in postcards and visitors' photographs over many years NZ4064 : Marsden Rock Bird Sanctuary, NZ4064 : Marsden Rock (1974)
This arch collapsed during the severe winter of 1995-96, splitting the rock into two separate stacks. In 1997 the smaller stack was declared unsafe and was demolished in the interests of public safety Link
The rock can be reached on foot during low tide, but is completely surrounded by water at high tide. It is being actively eroded by the action of the sea and its base contains several caves and small arches NZ4064 : Arch in Marsden Rock
The rock is home to large numbers of nesting cormorants, kittiwakes and fulmars and remains one of the most important sea bird colonies in England NZ4064 : Seabirds on Marsden Rock.
Link Link
8 images use this description:
Shared descriptions
This shared description
The 'Shared Description' text on this page is © copyright 2009 Andrew Curtis.
Shared descriptions are specifically licensed so that contributors can reuse them on their own images, without restriction.
About shared descriptions
These Shared Descriptions are common to multiple images.
For example, you can create a generic description for an object shown in a photo, and reuse the description on all photos of the object. All descriptions are public and shared between contributors, i.e. you can reuse a description created by others, just as they can use yours.
Explore images
View images using this "Marsden Rock" Shared Description
View images mentioning the words [Marsden Rock] anywhere in text
Links for NZ40086493
This description is located in NZ40086493.
Other shared descriptions
Descriptions nearby
- Marsden Grotto
- Marsden Bay
- Marsden Lime Kilns
- Velvet Beds or Camel Island
- Souter Lighthouse
- Frenchman's Bay
- Cleadon Water Pumping Station
Related descriptions
- Marsden Grotto
By Andrew Curtis. Used on 8 images
- Souter Lighthouse
By Andrew Curtis. Used on 6 images
- Marsden Bay
By Andrew Curtis. Used on 17 images
- Frenchman's Bay
By Andrew Curtis. Used on 4 images
- Velvet Beds or Camel Island
By Andrew Curtis. Used on 4 images
- Cleadon Water Pumping Station
By Andrew Curtis. Used on 3 images
- Marsden Lime Kilns
By Andrew Curtis. Used on 3 images
The above selections are automatic and approximate, it might not always select closely matching descriptions