A walk perfect for January. A mixture of tarmac, tracks and good footpaths with little risk of mud. Its basically walking from the centre of Salisbury to Claredon Palace and back again. Claredon Palace was a major Royal residence and the countries largest deer park back in the 12/13/14 Centuries but today little remains of it. Alpacas now graze the ruins. It was here in the presence of some 1600 members of the Court and Church hierarchy that Henry II had his major falling out with Thomas a Becket which led to his infamous murder in Canterbury Cathedral. (It also led to the building of Thomas a Becket Church in the centre of Salisbury which is well worth a visit). Many other Royal Sovereigns were regular visitors here and one can imagine Edward II in his close fitting pink tights - pre Cod pieces - and Tiara and his close familiar's presiding over a divided and contentious Court eventually leading to another infamous murder of him said by many to involve a red hot poker being inserted into his nether regions. Ouch!

At the end of the walk all are invited back to the walk leaders house in Salisbury for a High Tea.