Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Looking for a pitstop on the M4? Avoid Wooton Bassett at all costs!!

7 replies

Lovecat · 05/08/2007 15:51

Perhaps we were unfortunate, but we pulled off the road for lunch, consulting one of those 'get off the motorway' books and found a place that was described as child friendly, with a garden.

We sat in the garden and I went in to order food - which I cannot complain about, it was lovely and lots of it - to see a sign on the door 'although we welcome children, we do not provide child meals or highchairs. You are welcome to bring your own booster seats providing they do not damage our furniture'.

So far, so . Ordered food and drink, became aware that we were the only people there with children, became further aware that most of clientele were elderly or business-people.

Went back out into garden with drinks, as I sat down dd decided she wanted the loo. As we went back inside, I became aware that dd was attracting horrified glances, tuts and frowns. Now, without wishing to sound like an overproud mum, dd is blonde and munchkin-like, generally well-behaved in company and usually attacts smiles and conversation wherever she goes, so this was mildly disconcerting, to say the least. Quickly checked to make sure she wasn't covered in boils/dogmuck/chocolate/snot, but no, she was her usual self...

No changing table in any of the loos. Had to do it on a stone floor - not impressed.

When we came back out again DH whispered to me 'did that guide say child-friendly or child-hating?' as apparently someone at the next table had loudly passed comment about how they'd come out for a nice quiet lunch and it was all 'ruined' now...

Anyway, the atmosphere there was distinctly frosty and when dd and I went for a wander around the garden after eating, there were several intakes of breath, frosty glares and suchlike. And that included the staff.

So we ate up and got out of there, feeling distinctly unwelcome. As I said, possibly we were very unlucky to go there on a day when the child-catching delegation from Vulgaria were visiting, but I would NOT recommend this place as child-friendly at all! (OTOH, if you were looking for a nice meal without children it's probably ideal!)

OP posts:
mufti · 06/08/2007 10:40

was the name 2 words, the second word another word for cat?

nogoes · 06/08/2007 10:43

Should have gone to the Churchill, just down the road from where you went.

In our area (Herts) we found a really nice pub and on the sign it states "we welcome children but do not provide high chairs or childrens meals. Children must be kept under control at all times and MUST NOT disrupt the enjoyment of our customers". They so obviously don't want children there it would be much easier just to ban them!

allgonebellyup · 06/08/2007 10:49

WTF???

what is it with this country? children are not animals ffs, they are young humans.

this is why i like going on hols to Europe where they treat kids like gold dust..

Blackduck · 06/08/2007 11:12

This is my pet peeve too... DP runs a foodie website and ran a poll on what is the one thing you most hate when etaing out (smoking/kids/over priced wine/open bills/service charges etc) no prizes for guessing what came out top . Yet there we were in Spain (sans ds) and in a VERY posh place (2*) and they didn't turn a hair when a couple turned up with two children, and even arranged a special meal....

Lovecat · 06/08/2007 20:04

Mufti - it was indeed

OP posts:
milge · 06/08/2007 20:16

There is a very family friendly pub in WB,on the road in from Swindon I think its called the Churchill - has an indoor softplay area. Food is a bit pub chain like, but good enough for a quick meal.

Lovecat · 07/08/2007 06:29

Cheers, I'll bear that in mind the next time we head Westward - sounds much better!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread