The BackTracker History Show

Author: The Backtracker

Based in the UK, this self confessed history geek takes you for a stroll down memory lane and shares stories and interesting nuggets of information that has been discovered along the way. From tales of tragedy and sadness to epic stories of human courage or creativity, there are many people in history who have made their mark, however small. If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to share or leave feedback. It all helps! Keep in touch via either Twitter or Facebook by using @BackTrackerUK
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Language: en

Genres: History, Society & Culture

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Bristol's King David Hotel
Episode 1
Sunday, 11 January, 2026

Bristol's King David HotelSeason: 7 Episode: 1This time, we’re stepping inside the story of the King David Hotel. Built in 1893 on the site of the original King David Inn, this striking three-storey building of yellow and red brick spent a century welcoming drinkers, travellers, and locals alike. By the 1990s, its role had changed completely, taken over by the Hospital, but its walls had already seen more than their fair share of life. In this show, we’ll be uncovering just a few of the people and stories woven into this fascinating slice of Bristol’s history.As you can imagine, featuring all the proprietors of the King David would make this an extremely long episode but they should still be remembered, so here's a list of them.c.1791: Joseph Stephens (1791 Universal British Directory).c.1793-1794: William Pritchard (Matthews New Bristol Directory 1793-1794).c.1814-1817: George White.c.1818: Mrs. White. (Evans, 1818 Directory).c.1822: William Hooper (Pigot's 1822 Bristol Directory).c.1825: Thomas Watson (Pigot's 1825 Bristol Directory).c.1826-1830: James Highman.c.1831-1836: Ann Highman. (daughter Ann married Edward Willey 1836)c.1836-1866: Ann Willey & Mary Lockley (1859 pub for sale with the sisters as yearly tenants).c.1838-1839: Matthew Pomphrey (manager?).c.1841-1858: Robert Adams (and excise officer).c.1859-1866: Mary Lockley & Ann Willey.c.1866-1880: Ann Willey & William Cates.c.1880-1889: William Cates.c.1889-1891: Rose Elizabeth Cates.c.1891-1892: William Thomas West (manager).c.1892-1893: Hotel rebuilt.c.1893-1895: Walter Franklin (manager).c.1895-1899: Robert Gibbons.c.1899-1942: Stephen George Gibbons.c.1 June 1942-27 July 1942: Hartie Nellie Eastburn.c.27 July 1942-7 June 1943: Clarence Clifford Gardiner.