Daffodils on Shoulder of Mutton Green

Image: © Marathon Taken: 7 Mar 2022

Shoulder of Mutton Green is actually a very old feature where cattle may have rested while travelling along Watling Street. The green used to be the old village green of East Wickham and was known by this name, which was due to its peculiar shape, as early as the middle of the 18th century. The land was owned by Queen's College Oxford, who attempted to enclose the village green in the mid 19th century. This led to protests from local residents of East Wickham and Welling, who tore down the fences. The Green was eventually purchased in 1877 by the Metropolitan Board of Works to ensure that it remained public open space permanently. There are other places around London with the name 'Shoulder of Mutton' to signify the shape. There is a fine show of daffodils every year which follow on from an equally fine show of crocuses - see https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7101796

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