When I worra lass, a long time ago, it was illegal for under-14s to be in any pub. From 14 kids could go in and even drink alcohol, if it was bought for them by someone over 18. A very few pubs had children’s rooms, which was legal, but my memory of them is usually cold and boring! In our area, and I suspect this was common in many communities, was me and my sibling could be discreetly taken inside if the landlord/lady allowed it, but only as a favour and with dire warnings about going home if we made any fuss or noise. Many times we’d wait outside with the obligatory Vimto and crisps, though.
I’ve no problem with well behaved kids in pubs during the day (not night time) now, but what was literally painfully annoying, was the last time I went to pub on my own. It was during the day, kids with parents, fine, but what I found was the mother’s volume control had simply risen to be as loud as her three kids, all over 7 I think, who were LOUD. She hurt my ears by screeching so fucking loud and close to me as they went through a door way. The kids were right in front of her and she was teaching them it was fine to do this. There was no music to shout over, hardly anyone else in that section, me sitting in a corner on my laptop, bloody ridiculous woman. I may have sworn, but as others have said, it was in a fucking pub, so I will!