Bristol. The building dates from 1664 and was originally a row of 5 houses built on a timber frame with brick stacks. It was partially destroyed by a bomb in 1942 but 3 of the original 5 projecting gables survived. A trow was a flat bottomed barge and Llangdoger is a village 32 km northwest of Bristol that was famous for building these boats. The pub was named by Captain Hawkins who lived in Llangdoger and bought and ran the pub. Novelist Daniel Defoe met Alexander Selkirk (his inspiration for Robinson Crusoe) here, and it was Robert Louis Stevenson's inspiration for the Admiral Benbow Inn in his novel Treasure Island. Blackbeard the Pirate was also a regular patron. The pub is said to be haunted by up to 15 ghosts.

A spacious interior is highlighted by lots of brick and wooden beams, and the ceilings are decorated with beautiful plaster work. Outdoors there is a huge beer garden with dozens of picnic tables (you know where I sat!). It made for a lovely relaxing afternoon beverage.