2 days ago
The pubs with best playgrounds & soft plays across the UK mapped – featuring zip wires, petting zoos and free kids meals
IF the kids are happy, the parents are too. And nowhere is that truer than the magical unicorn that is a pub with a playground attached.
Across the country, some kind-hearted landlords have given as much thought to swings and slides as they have to their beer kegs - giving mums and dads some much-needed peace and quiet to enjoy a pint.
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If you're dreaming of sunny afternoon s at the pub, free from cries of "I'm bored!", we have put together a guide to the ultimate family-friendly pubs with playgrounds across the UK this summer.
From thrilling zip wires and petting zoos to soft-play and pirate ships, these spots offer endless fun for the kids...
NORTH
The Saracens Head, Warburton.
Jurassic Park? More like Jurassic Larks at The Saracens Head. Your little dinosaur hunters will have a roar-some time in their onsite soft play barn, Kiddisaurus (subject to an entry fee).
For the grown-ups, there's a large, lawned beer garden with an abundance of shaded areas, outside seating and lots of space for older children to play. The double treehouse-style play area features a slide, a climbing wall and spring riders.
Paddock Lane, Warburton, WA13 9TH
The Airport Pub, Heald Green
Situated just fifty feet from the runway at Manchester Airport, this family-friendly pub is ideal for both grown-up plane spotters – and kids who love to watch aeroplanes take off and land.
There's even a plane-themed play area with slides, tunnels, climbing frame and ropes.
The Airport, Ringway Road, Heald Green, M22 5WH
New seafront playground with unreal view and incredible theme opens minutes from busy city
The Blue Bell, Smallwood
If your kids think they're kings and queens of the castle, they'll have a royal ball at The Blue Bell.
Just a couple of miles off the M6, the tiny Cheshire village of Smallwood feels like it could be from another time, especially when you discover the unique, gigantic wooden play fort in The Blue Bell's swish beer garden.
Go on a Monday, and the kids can eat free with an adult meal.
The Blue Bell, Spen Green, Sandbach, CW11 2XA
The Vicarage, Cranage
Clarkson Farm fans rejoice – at The Vicarage in Cranage, Cheshire, kids can clamber onboard Travis the Tractor, an orange vintage tractor.
There's also a wooden playhouse, climbing frame, a slide, and swings in the pub's playground, which sits on the banks of the River Dane overlooking the stunning Cheshire countryside.
Every Monday-Wednesday 4pm-7pm, for every adult main meal, enjoy a kids' main meal for free.
Knutsford Road, Holmes Chapel, CW4 8EF
The Beehive, Tyne and Wear
In view of St. Mary's Island and the golden Longsands of Whitley Bay, this Grade II-listed pub was built in the 18th Century. But wander round the back, and you'll find a sneaky entrance under the archway of bushes into the secret garden!
A fully enclosed space with a wooden playground, surrounded by picnic benches where parents can supervise nearby. You'll even hear music playing through hidden speakers around the garden.
Hartley Lane, Earsdon, Whitley Bay. NE25 0SZ
The Little Mill, Rowarth
Fancy a paddle? Grade II-listed country pub The Little Mill has a shallow stream running through its playground, ideal for splashing about in on a hot summer's day.
There's also a huge slide that even big kids will love, and the pub keeps pygmy goats, chickens, rabbits and a large pond with Koi carp and goldfish.
The Little Mill, Hollinsmoor Rd, Rowarth, High Peak SK22 1EB
The Black Swan, Hollins Green
A beautiful pub and hotel in the picturesque village of Hollins Green, The Black Swan has a fabulous menu of British classics.
After a slap-up meal, head to the gardens, where you'll find a duck pond, zip wire and spider-web climbing ropes.
550 Manchester Road, Hollins Green, WA3 6LA
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Puss In Boots, Offerton
This Stockport pub boasts a big outdoor play area with cute, colourful wooden climbing frames and balancing beams. It also has a bouncy, foam floor, so little ones won't get hurt if they fall.
147 Nangreave Road, Offerton, Stockport, SK2 6DG
The Beach, Rochdale
Found on the edge of Hollingworth Lake next to Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre, this cosy pub is an ideal spot for those days out by the waterside.
There are tonnes of outdoor seating, so you can watch your kids in the playground and enjoy the stunning view over the lake (and their superb carvery!) at the same time.
Lake Side, Littleborough, OL15 0DD
The Rope & Anchor, Altrincham
Nestled in the leafy hamlet of Dunham Massey, The Rope & Anchor has a lawned beer garden and a wooden playground featuring a treehouse, swings and a slide.
If your little ones love an ice cream (and let's face it, what kid doesn't?), The Dunham Massey Ice Cream farm is nearby, as well as the Bridgewater Canal and Bollin Valley Way for waterside walks.
Paddock Lane, Dunham Massey, Altrincham, WA14 5RP
The White Horse, Chester
Ahoy there, shipmates! With its huge nautical-themed play area, fully decked out with a pirate ship, The White Horse is an oasis for kids and parents alike.
And, when your little pirates are all pooped out, they can create their very own pizzas with the 'Build Your Own Pizza' option on the kids' menu.
Chester Racecourse, Chester CH1 2LY
The Golden Pheasant, Plumley
Situated in the village of Plumley, a couple of miles from the market town of Knutsford, The Pheasant's landscaped beer garden offers guests a covered terrace area, ample picnic benches and a vast lawn ideal for kids to play with stunning countryside views.
The pub's garden also has a wooden play area complete with two swing sets for both younger and older children, a slide, and a wooden climbing frame.
Plumley Moor Road, Plumley, Knutsford, WA16 9RX
THE SOUTH
The Old Neptune, Whitstable, Kent
The Old Neptune is one of only a handful of pubs to be found on the beaches of Britain.
Located in the heart of Whitstable, a charming fishing town, it doesn't have a traditional playground, but you can let the kids build sandcastles and collect stones and shells while you savour the sunset.
Marine Terrace, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1EJ
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The Cricketers, Woking
Rain or shine, The Cricketers pub garden has you covered – literally! The pub garden not only has a tent, but a range of garden pods where patrons can shelter from a passing shower with a board game.
When the sun's out, there's a big playground with climbing frames, a rocking horse and a slide to enjoy.
The Cricketers also has a fab children's menu around, with dishes like fish finger tacos and strawberry and marshmallow kebabs.
Horsell Birch, Woking, GU21 4XB
The Castle of Comfort, East Harptree
In the heart of the Mendip countryside, close to Cheddar and Wookey Hole, is the curiously-named Castle of Comfort (so-called for serving death row prisoners back in the 1600s).
Outside, there's a huge beer garden with lots of seating and a large grassy children's playground overlooking lush green fields.
The Castle of Comfort, East Harptree, Bristol, Somerset, BS40 6DD
Bel & The Dragon, Farnham
It may not be Hollywood, but this small country-style pub in the scenic Surrey Hills is surrounded by movie magic.
Stop off after a stroll in Bourne Woods – where scenes from Gladiator, Robin Hood and the Harry Potter series were all filmed – and then let your kids reenact the scenes in the pub's spacious children's play area, which is open year-round.
There's a Wendy house, a climbing frame, and bat and ball games.
Jumps Road, Farnham, GU10 2LD
GREATER LONDON
Timber Lodge, Stratford
This cosy café and bar is nestled in the stunning landscape of London's Olympic Park. Serving craft beers as well as arabica coffee, there's also hand-stretched Italian-style pizza and hot chocolate for the little ones.
Best of all, it's right next to Tumbling Bay adventure playground with its treehouses, rock pools, sand pits, aerial walkways, rope bridges, and zip wires.
1A Honour Lea Avenue, Stratford, London, E20 1DY
The Rosendale, West Dulwich
Known for its good-value food and laid-back vibe, The Rosendale is one of the best child-friendly pubs in South London.
Alongside a great kids' menu, it has a children's climbing frame and several kids ' trikes in a playground outside, along with a boules area.
65 Rosendale Rd, Norwood, London SE21 8EZ
The Plough Inn, Ealing
This cosy country pub is just down the road from Hanwell Zoo, so after checking out the flamingos, pop in for a pint while your little monkeys let out their wild side on the climbing frame and slide next to the beer garden.
297 Northfield Avenue, Ealing, W5 4XB
The Anglers, Teddington
Anyone for tennis? Well, this pub can't quite offer that, but it does have two ping pong tables for any aspiring racqueteers.
There's also a spacious beer garden with a huge outdoor play area including a climbing frame, monkey bars and table football.
3 Broom Road, Teddington, TW11 9NR
NORTHERN IRELAND
The Harbour Brewers Fayre, Carrickfergus
With a huge soft play open 12 to 7pm that's free for children under one, The Harbour Brewers Fayre is the perfect place to stop in for some tasty pub classics and drinks after a fun day exploring Carrickfergus Castle.
Alexander Pier, Rodgers Quay, Carrickfergus BT38 8BE
SCOTLAND
The Beech Tree, Glasgow
You can spot noisy woodpeckers, cute red squirrels and even a pine marten in The Beach Tree's wildlife garden.
But the real Top Guns are the inhabitants of their mini-zoo, including pygmy goats named Maverick and Goose. There are also quails, chinchillas, and even a tortoise.
Kids can then hit the pub's adventure play park while the adults have a well-earned drink!
Dumgoyne, By Killearn G63 9LA
WALES
The Cedar Tree Farm, Cardiff
This Cardiff pub is perfect for a rainy day, because the games section is stocked with a Wii, a PlayStation and Gameboys, plus a huge stash of video games.
Toddlers aren't left out either, as there's a soft play section too, not to mention a large selection of cakes and ice-creams on the menu.
Ferry Road, Grangetown, Cardiff, South Glamorgan, Wales, CF11 0JR
The Crossways, Caerphilly
Have you got a house full of little menaces? Then head to The Crossways!
Their outdoor Dennis the Menace-themed, fully supervised play area is perfect for Beano and comic book fans. You can even host your child's birthday there.
