The Shoulder of Mutton, originally a private house for a Yeoman farmer, is a Grade II Listed, timber framed building. With its origins in the 14th century this building dates back to 1380 and has a long and eventful history. Although licensing records date back to 1769, there is some speculation about the date it first became an Inn - it has been said it was more likely to have been around 1541. This would be shortly after the time when King Henry VIII disbanded monasteries, priories, convents and friaries and travellers needed to find somewhere else to shelter, stay the night and be fed and watered.
Therefore, we can lay claim to the title the "oldest pub in Fordham".
Described by some, including ourselves, as rather charming, this building holds many a cherished memory for quite a few of the locals and has been the subject of much historical interest over the years. The parlour of the building was at one stage used as a butcher's shop, hence the name - The Shoulder of Mutton.
