Also known as the Railway Inn and the Showman
Originally the Railway Hotel in 1903 it was reported as “an establishment with plenty of bedroom accommodation and stabling, and it served as a useful house for people who had to go by rail as it was only 300 yards from the station”
After the railway station closed in 1964 it was renamed the Showman by George and Barbara Woodhouse in about 1970, when they took the premises over from Wilf Goff, in recognition of the fairground people who lived close by during the winter. Robert Phipps can remember his Grandfather George De-Vey unveiling the new Showman sign.
Dennis Abbott became landlord after the George and Barbara Woodhouse.
It was renamed again in 1990 by Pete and Vi Martin when it was refurbished and became the Weary Traveller, the reason for the change being that many tourists stop here.
It was the first pub in Cullompton to have a jukebox.
Timeline
| Date | Landlord | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Sept 1852 | Mr Luxton, landlord of the Admiral Hawke Inn, Cullompton applied for a licence to a new house, which he was now building on the road to the Cullompton station from the town. Police Constable Ware said that the applicant had always conducted his house creditably, for many years. The BENCH thought that the house in question would be a great accommodation to the public, and granted the application. Note: The Admiral Hawke is now the Pony & Trap | |
| 6 March 1860 | “Railway Hotel: Cullompton POSTING To all parts of Devon from the above Hotel, with staunch horses and careful drivers.. CHARGES MODERATE | Tiverton Gazette |
| 19 December 1865 | Transfer of licence from J Luxton to Henry Sanders | Western Times |
| 13 May 1873 | William Mullins landlord charged with unlawfully supplying alcohol William Mullins died Feb/March 1875 | Western Times |
| 1878 | John Parkhouse | Whites |
| 3 June 1887 | “…. Horse got loose and ran away It came over the railway bridge by the station, and at the bottom of the descent the cart came against the porch of the Railway Hotel, which was demolished in consequence …….” | Exeter & Plymouth Gazette |
| 1889 | Frank Courtenay Matthews | Kellys |
| 1891 Census | Frank C Matthews 40 Elizabeth Matthews 42 Frank C Matthews 11 Mabel Matthews 9 Emily H Perry (Neice) 24 Assistant | |
| 1893 | Frank Courtney Matthews | Kellys |
| 24 March 1896 | ATTEMPTED SUICIDE AT CULLOMPTON On Saturday afternoon great surprise and regret was expressed at Cullompton when the sad intelligence became known that Mr F C Matthews,landlord of the Railway Hotel had cut his throat. The rash act was done in a upstairs room, and was discovered through sounds as of some one in pain coming from that direction Medical assistance was soon obtained and everything done to save life | Western Times |
| 18 April 1896 | AFFAIRS OF A CULLOMPTON HOTEL KEEPER A meeting of creditors of Frank Courtney Matthews, of the Railway Hotel, Cullompton, was held at the Castle of Exeter, yesterday before the Official Receiver ( Mr T Andrews). Debtor was absent owing to illness,, but was represented by Mr Burrow, solicitor. The Official Receiver said that there could be no doubt that Mr Burrow did what was best when he advised debtor to file his petition to save the estate from mischief. Debtor was able to come up for his preliminary examination, but his health since then had not permitted him to go into his affairs in such a way as to justify the preparation of a statement. Until he was discharged from hospital there would be little hope that he would be able to do so With the concurrence of largest creditors Mrs Matthews had purchased the inn and the contents for £160, and an auction would probably take place shortly for the sale of the outdoor effects Altogether he (the Official Receiver) estimated that the value of the estate at from £260 to £270, and the liabilities would be about £500. The creditors had no proposition to make The usual order was made | Western Times |
| 2 June 1896 | Licence transferred from Frank C Matthews to his wife Elizabeth Matthews | |
| 1901 Census | Elizabeth Matthews Widow 53 Emily H Perry (neice) Assistant 34 George Wright 20 Ostler,Groom | |
| 1902 | Elizabeth Matthews | Kellys |
| 1910 | Elizabeth Matthews | Kellys |
| 1911 Census | Mr Ewens | |
| 1914 | Charles B Ewens | Kellys |
| 15 Feb 1916 | Licence transferred from C B Ewens to W H Quick | |
| 1919 | Thomas H Drewe | Kellys |
| 1923 | Thomas H Drewe | Kellys |
| 1942 | Mr Smith: landlord |
