For local knowledge on places to eat you can’t beat Karen.

We were out tonight to catch up on news and plot and plan and the Shoulder of Mutton was the place we headed to. Well, we got there after turning down venue number one (couldn’t remember the name) and venue number two (got there but the kitchens had no power).

The Shoulder’s been in the same family for over 30 years and inside it reflects a place which the owners have grown into.

Pub names always intrigue me and the Shoulder dates back to the reign of King Charles II who numbered among his many nicknames that of the Mutton King due to his fondness for that type of meat. This caused a number of Inns to be named “Shoulder of Mutton” and these were renowned for their mutton feasts accompanied by mugs or glasses of Sack. [1]

We had less heavy fare and a great time.

Strange thing was the car park was full, there was no one inside the pub and when we left the car park was empty. Spooky.

¹ Definition from 1911 Enclyclopedia site A Spanish wine, which was of a strong, rough, dry kind (in Fr. vin sec, whence the name), and therefore usually sweetened and mixed with spice and mulled or burnt. It became a common name for all the stronger white wines of the South.