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Coordinates: 51°27′07″N 2°35′36″W / 51.4519°N 2.5932°W / 51.4519; -2.5932
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{{Infobox Historic building
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The '''Llandoger Trow''' is a historic [[public house]] in [[Bristol]], south-west [[England]]. Dating from 1664, it is on [[King Street, Bristol|King Street]], between Welsh Back and Queen Charlotte Street, near the old [[Bristol Harbour|city centre docks]]. Named by a sailor who owned the pub after [[Llandogo]] which built [[trow]]s, the building was damaged in World War II, but remained in sufficiently good condition to be designated Grade II* listed building status in 1959. The pub is said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write of the Admiral Benbow Inn in ''[[Treasure Island]]'' and [[Daniel Defoe]] supposedly met [[Alexander Selkirk]] there, his inspiration for ''[[Robinson Crusoe]]''. The pub is also supposedly haunted, with up to 15 ghosts, the best known being a small child whose footsteps can be heard on the top floor.
The '''Llandoger Trow''' is a historic [[public house]] in [[Bristol]], south-west [[England]]. Dating from 1664, it is on [[King Street, Bristol|King Street]], between Welsh Back and Queen Charlotte Street, near the old [[Bristol Harbour|city centre docks]]. Named by a sailor who owned the pub after [[Llandogo]] in Wales which built [[trow]]s (flat-bottomed river boats), the building was damaged in World War II, but remained in sufficiently good condition to be designated Grade II* listed building status in 1959. The pub is said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write of the Admiral Benbow Inn in ''[[Treasure Island]]'' and [[Daniel Defoe]] supposedly met [[William Dampier]] and [[Alexander Selkirk]] there, his inspiration for ''[[Robinson Crusoe]]''. The pub is also supposedly haunted, with up to 15 ghosts and one little green ghoul, the best known being a small child whose footsteps can be heard on the top floor.


On 20 April 2019 the pub was closed, but has now re-opened as part of the Bloomsbury Leisure group.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1405976983402692610|user=eustontap|title=Big shout out for our new sister pub....|date=18 June 2021}}</ref>
On 20 April 2019 the pub was closed, and its future is currently unknown.


==History==
==History==
[[Image:Llandoger Trow, Bristol early 1930s.jpg|thumb|left|The Llandoger Trow in the early 1930s before part was bombed in World War II]]
[[Image:Llandoger Trow, Bristol early 1930s.jpg|thumb|left|The Llandoger Trow in the early 1930s before part was bombed in World War II]]
The building dates from 1664, originally a row of three houses. It was built on a timber box frame, with brick stacks. The pub has an 18th-century shop front, but the main door dates from the 20th century. The pub was partially destroyed by a bomb in [[World War II]], but three of the original five projecting [[gable]]s remain. It was designated a Grade II* [[listed building]] on 8 January 1959.<ref>{{cite web|title=Llandoger Trow |work=historicengland.org.uk |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1202324 |accessdate=22 February 2007 |df= }}</ref>
The building dates from 1664, originally a row of three houses. It was built on a timber box frame, with brick stacks. The pub has an 18th-century shop front, but the main door dates from the 20th century. The pub was partially destroyed by a bomb in [[World War II]], but three of the original five projecting [[gable]]s remain. It was designated a Grade II* [[listed building]] on 8 January 1959.<ref>{{cite web|title=Llandoger Trow |work=historicengland.org.uk |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1202324 |accessdate=22 February 2007 }}</ref>


Tradition has it that [[Daniel Defoe]] met [[Alexander Selkirk]], his inspiration for ''[[Robinson Crusoe]]'', here,<ref name="crusoe">[http://visitbristol.co.uk/site/about-bristol/history-and-heritage Bristol Tourist Information] History & Heritage</ref> and it was [[Robert Louis Stevenson]]’s inspiration for the Admiral Benbow in ''[[Treasure Island]]''. In the [[Victorian era]] the pub was associated with the [[Bristol Old Vic|Theatre Royal]], which is across the road, and was visited by many performers and musicians including [[Henry Irving]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Burrough |first=THB |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Bristol |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista |location=London |isbn=0-289-79804-3 }}</ref>
Tradition has it that [[Daniel Defoe]] met [[William Dampier]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Dampier|William_Dampier]] and [[Alexander Selkirk]], his inspiration for ''[[Robinson Crusoe]]'', here,<ref name="crusoe">[http://visitbristol.co.uk/site/about-bristol/history-and-heritage Bristol Tourist Information] History & Heritage</ref> and it was [[Robert Louis Stevenson]]’s inspiration for the Admiral Benbow in ''[[Treasure Island]]''. In the [[Victorian era]] the pub was associated with the [[Bristol Old Vic|Theatre Royal]], which is across the road, and was visited by many performers and musicians including [[Henry Irving]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Burrough |first=THB |title=Bristol |year=1970 |publisher=Studio Vista |location=London |isbn=0-289-79804-3 }}</ref>


==Name==
==Name==
A ''[[trow]]'' was a flat-bottomed barge, and [[Llandogo]] is a village {{convert|20|mi|km}} north-west of Bristol, across the [[Severn Estuary]] and upstream on the [[River Wye]] in [[South Wales]], where trows were once built. Trows historically sailed to trade in Bristol from Llandogo. The pub was named by Captain Hawkins, a sailor who lived in Llandogo and ran the pub.<ref name=famous>{{cite news|title=Pie and a pint in pirates' haunt|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/pie-pint-pirates-haunt/story-11238978-detail/story.html|work=Bristol Post|date=13 April 2011}}</ref>
A ''[[trow]]'' was a flat-bottomed barge, and [[Llandogo]] is a village {{convert|20|mi|km}} north-west of Bristol, across the [[Severn Estuary]] and upstream on the [[River Wye]] in [[South Wales]], where trows were once built. Trows historically sailed to trade in Bristol from Llandogo. The pub was named by Captain Hawkins, a sailor who lived in Llandogo and ran the pub.<ref name=famous>{{cite news|title=Pie and a pint in pirates' haunt|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/pie-pint-pirates-haunt/story-11238978-detail/story.html|work=Bristol Post|date=13 April 2011|access-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228052513/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Pie-pint-pirates-haunt/story-11238978-detail/story.html|archive-date=28 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Modern usage==
==Modern usage==
In 1962 it became a [[Berni Inn]], but now belongs to [[Whitbread]] and traded as a [[Brewers Fayre]].<ref name=famous/> In 2007, The Llandoger Trow was one of the three locations seen in the '''Pirate's Cove''' episode of ''[[Most Haunted Live!]]'' The others were [[Blackbeard|Blackbeard's]] houses and [[Redcliffe Caves]]. The most popular ghost story associated with the pub is that of a small child who wore leg braces and haunts the top floor, their footsteps heard at night. The programme claimed that there were at least 15 ghosts at the Llandoger Trow, and since 2009 the owners have organised ghost hunts overnight.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ghost-hunt at famous old Bristol pub|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/ghost-hunt-famous-old-bristol-pub/story-11312731-detail/story.html|work=Bristol Post|date=4 August 2009}}</ref>
In 1962 it became a [[Berni Inn]], and until 2019 was operated by [[Whitbread]] and traded as a [[Brewers Fayre]].<ref name=famous/> In 2007, The Llandoger Trow was one of the three locations seen in the "Pirate's Cove" episode of ''[[Most Haunted Live!]]'' The others were [[Blackbeard|Blackbeard's]] houses and [[Redcliffe Caves]]. The most popular ghost story associated with the pub is that of a small child who wore leg braces and haunts the top floor, their footsteps heard at night. The programme claimed that there were at least 15 ghosts at the Llandoger Trow, and since 2009 the owners have organised ghost hunts overnight.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ghost-hunt at famous old Bristol pub|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/ghost-hunt-famous-old-bristol-pub/story-11312731-detail/story.html|work=Bristol Post|date=4 August 2009|archive-date=2016-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921013153/https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/ghost-hunt-famous-old-bristol-pub/story-11312731-detail/story.html}}</ref>


In 2019 Whitbread decided to close the Llandoger Trow as it did not fit Whitbread's style of pubs, and it needed repairs at an estimated cost exceeding £2 million. It closed on 20 April 2019. Whitbread intend to lease out the building as a going concern.<ref name=bp-20190420>{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/it-sad-day-last-orders-2781128 |title='It is a sad day' Last orders, please, as Llandoger Trow closes |last=Bennett |first=Geoffrey |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=20 April 2019 |access-date=18 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Steven |title=Last orders for Bristol pub linked to Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/apr/21/last-orders-for-bristol-pub-linked-to-robinson-crusoe-and-treasure-island |accessdate=21 April 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=21 April 2019}}</ref>
In 2019 Whitbread decided to close the Llandoger Trow as it did not fit Whitbread's style of pubs, and it needed repairs at an estimated cost exceeding £2 million. It closed on 20 April 2019. Whitbread stated they intended to sell the building as a going concern.<ref name=bp-20190420>{{cite news |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/it-sad-day-last-orders-2781128 |title='It is a sad day' Last orders, please, as Llandoger Trow closes |last=Bennett |first=Geoffrey |newspaper=Bristol Post |date=20 April 2019 |access-date=18 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Steven |title=Last orders for Bristol pub linked to Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/apr/21/last-orders-for-bristol-pub-linked-to-robinson-crusoe-and-treasure-island |accessdate=21 April 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=21 April 2019}}</ref> It was purchased by the Bloomsbury Leisure Group and reopened in 2021<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cork |first=Tristan |date=2021-06-20 |title=Famous Bristol pub reopens after two years of being shut |url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/famous-bristol-pub-reopens-after-5551593 |access-date=2023-12-08 |website=Bristol Live |language=en}}</ref>

== In Popular Culture ==
[[The Longest Johns]], a Bristol-based folk musical group, paid homage to the Llandoger Trow with their song ''Llandoger,'' featured as the opening track on their album, ''Voyage'', released on 9 February 2024.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHq1dF1YeU |title=The Llandoger |date=9 February 2024 |type=YouTube Video |language= |publisher=The Longest Johns |trans-title= |location= |time= |access-date=10 February 2024 |archive-url= |archive-date= |format= |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |people=Darley, Jonathan}}</ref> The debut performance of the song took place on the [[Yogscast#Jingle Jam|Jingle Jam]] charity drive livestream on 4 December 2023.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sJmYABWCcY |title=The Longest Johns Sing A Long |date=4 December 2023 |type=YouTube Video |language= |publisher=The Yogscast |trans-title= |location= |time=21:30 |access-date=21 December 2023 |archive-url= |archive-date= |format= |id= |isbn= |oclc= |quote= |people=Darley, Jonathan}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1664]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1664]]
[[Category:Pubs in Bristol]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed pubs in Bristol]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Bristol]]
[[Category:Grade II* listed pubs in England]]
[[Category:1664 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1664 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Daniel Defoe]]
[[Category:Robert Louis Stevenson]]

Latest revision as of 22:45, 1 September 2024

Llandoger Trow
The Llandoger Trow
Llandoger Trow is located in Bristol
Llandoger Trow
Location within Bristol
General information
Town or cityBristol
CountryEngland
Coordinates51°27′07″N 2°35′36″W / 51.4519°N 2.5932°W / 51.4519; -2.5932
Completed1664

The Llandoger Trow is a historic public house in Bristol, south-west England. Dating from 1664, it is on King Street, between Welsh Back and Queen Charlotte Street, near the old city centre docks. Named by a sailor who owned the pub after Llandogo in Wales which built trows (flat-bottomed river boats), the building was damaged in World War II, but remained in sufficiently good condition to be designated Grade II* listed building status in 1959. The pub is said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson to write of the Admiral Benbow Inn in Treasure Island and Daniel Defoe supposedly met William Dampier and Alexander Selkirk there, his inspiration for Robinson Crusoe. The pub is also supposedly haunted, with up to 15 ghosts and one little green ghoul, the best known being a small child whose footsteps can be heard on the top floor.

On 20 April 2019 the pub was closed, but has now re-opened as part of the Bloomsbury Leisure group.[1]

History

[edit]
The Llandoger Trow in the early 1930s before part was bombed in World War II

The building dates from 1664, originally a row of three houses. It was built on a timber box frame, with brick stacks. The pub has an 18th-century shop front, but the main door dates from the 20th century. The pub was partially destroyed by a bomb in World War II, but three of the original five projecting gables remain. It was designated a Grade II* listed building on 8 January 1959.[2]

Tradition has it that Daniel Defoe met William Dampier [[1]] and Alexander Selkirk, his inspiration for Robinson Crusoe, here,[3] and it was Robert Louis Stevenson’s inspiration for the Admiral Benbow in Treasure Island. In the Victorian era the pub was associated with the Theatre Royal, which is across the road, and was visited by many performers and musicians including Henry Irving.[4]

Name

[edit]

A trow was a flat-bottomed barge, and Llandogo is a village 20 miles (32 km) north-west of Bristol, across the Severn Estuary and upstream on the River Wye in South Wales, where trows were once built. Trows historically sailed to trade in Bristol from Llandogo. The pub was named by Captain Hawkins, a sailor who lived in Llandogo and ran the pub.[5]

Modern usage

[edit]

In 1962 it became a Berni Inn, and until 2019 was operated by Whitbread and traded as a Brewers Fayre.[5] In 2007, The Llandoger Trow was one of the three locations seen in the "Pirate's Cove" episode of Most Haunted Live! The others were Blackbeard's houses and Redcliffe Caves. The most popular ghost story associated with the pub is that of a small child who wore leg braces and haunts the top floor, their footsteps heard at night. The programme claimed that there were at least 15 ghosts at the Llandoger Trow, and since 2009 the owners have organised ghost hunts overnight.[6]

In 2019 Whitbread decided to close the Llandoger Trow as it did not fit Whitbread's style of pubs, and it needed repairs at an estimated cost exceeding £2 million. It closed on 20 April 2019. Whitbread stated they intended to sell the building as a going concern.[7][8] It was purchased by the Bloomsbury Leisure Group and reopened in 2021[9]

[edit]

The Longest Johns, a Bristol-based folk musical group, paid homage to the Llandoger Trow with their song Llandoger, featured as the opening track on their album, Voyage, released on 9 February 2024.[10] The debut performance of the song took place on the Jingle Jam charity drive livestream on 4 December 2023.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ @eustontap (18 June 2021). "Big shout out for our new sister pub..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ "Llandoger Trow". historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2007.
  3. ^ Bristol Tourist Information History & Heritage
  4. ^ Burrough, THB (1970). Bristol. London: Studio Vista. ISBN 0-289-79804-3.
  5. ^ a b "Pie and a pint in pirates' haunt". Bristol Post. 13 April 2011. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  6. ^ "Ghost-hunt at famous old Bristol pub". Bristol Post. 4 August 2009. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016.
  7. ^ Bennett, Geoffrey (20 April 2019). "'It is a sad day' Last orders, please, as Llandoger Trow closes". Bristol Post. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  8. ^ Morris, Steven (21 April 2019). "Last orders for Bristol pub linked to Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  9. ^ Cork, Tristan (20 June 2021). "Famous Bristol pub reopens after two years of being shut". Bristol Live. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  10. ^ Darley, Jonathan (9 February 2024). The Llandoger (YouTube Video). The Longest Johns. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  11. ^ Darley, Jonathan (4 December 2023). The Longest Johns Sing A Long (YouTube Video). The Yogscast. Event occurs at 21:30. Retrieved 21 December 2023.