What makes a family friendly pub? Share and you could win £100 NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

As part of the Mumsnet Family Friendly Programme we'd love to know what you think makes a family friendly pub and to name any pubs in your local area which you believe have a great family friendly environment.

Here's what Carrie Longton, co-founder of Mumsnet says "we all know you can have a great family time in your local - but also that it can often be disappointing. We'd love to know what's good and not so good in your local pub - or even about one you discovered on holiday!"

So how do you think pubs could be more family friendly? Should they include a nutritious family friendly menu? Maybe there should be adequate baby changing facilities in the bathrooms? Perhaps slot machines should be replaced with a toy chest for younger children? How about older children - how would you like to see them catered for in pubs? What about customer service - how important is this? Would well-insulated outdoor areas do it for you? What do you NOT want to see?

We'd also love to hear what local pubs you think have a really good family friendly environment. Please state their name, and location (town or village) where they're situated.

Add your views (and pubs!) and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 Amazon voucher!

Click here to learn more about companies who are working to make the UK a more family friendly place

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

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Baby changing facilities that are unisex (so not just in the women's loos).

Outdoor play area for sure. Child friendly staff a must I always go back to the pubs that talk to my children and put them first! The Bear near us is a great pub with lovely garden.

A wide selection of food, beyond the nuggets and chips usually on offer.
Play areas that are clean and safe.
Friendly staff.
Clearly defined areas so the children stay in the family areas, rather than running round the bar (behaviour that breeds resentment from the child free and rightfully so!).

The Twisted Oak in Exeter is fab for families - great outdoor play area for bigger kids, and good food choices for the whole family. As an example, on a Sunday when they do carvery you can get four different size meals at four different prices: adult, senior, kids and babies!

Definitely need a baby changing facility.
One thing that would be great, would be cutlery for little ones. As we have been places before, and my 2year old feeds herself but the cutlery was huge and she's struggled with it, and they had no smaller ones.
Something to keep them entertained whilst waiting like colouring books and crayons
Av outdoor area is good, we have been places before when it's summer we eat outside, then when the kids have finished they can run around if they want to and one even had a small park they could play at, and you could see them whilst your eating

Yes yes to no or special defined smoking outside. Yes smokers moan about going out in Cold but then half the year when it's resonable to want to go outside you can't because someone will start smoking next to you or in door way.

Flexible seating for pushchairs or wheelchairs or high chairs so not huge fuss if you need arrangement other than 4 chairs.

Child plastic cups Not glass and NOT filled to the brim or with ice which has to be dug out. Or so full impossible to pour into baby cup without getting it everywhere.

Child cutlery it's available it's not hard to find!

Awareness of staff between children needed to get up stretch legs and running amok disturbing other families who are trying encourage kids to sit and eat. Yes table in the corner ignoring the 5 kids you let escape 20m ago and are doing loops of restaurant annoying everyone else!

For us it's lots of room, high chairs and a good outside space. We also like a varied menu. Our daughter loves eating out so we do go to some pubs, although she's at an awkward toddler age.

Good kids' and adults' food, menus you can draw on. We eat in pubs about once a month.

Good quality Childrens menu and a very wide array of drinks which are not vastly overpriced. The best of course have a garden, extensive grounds.
Outside table service helps too.
So glad there is no smoking now.

We love the Rocket at Putney Bridge and the Penderel's Oak in High Holborn both in London.

I absolutely agree with the small versions of the adult options and not having pudding included.
As a single parent I used to struggle with the places where you order at the bar, rather than waiter service. I'd be struggling with 2 kids at the bar while not having all of my stuff nicked from the table. It would be nice if there was the option of waiter service.

Just a nice clean and spacious environment.
I don't think play areas are necessary, if we are going out for dinner it's to spend time as a family. Not to see Dd disappear. I don't like noisy places either and places with play areas tend to be a bit too lively for my liking.
An activity sheet and crayons are appreciated- but I am happy to entertain my own child.

Space is really important! If we are meeting friends with buggies a place to put them is important. Also an area that's family friendly, there's nothing worse than thinking we are spoiling someone's meal out! A menu that caters for kids is fab-the best often have a couple of courses to keep the kids amused and to extend sitting down time!

I agree about space. It matters lots! Bits and bobs for children to do. Not a lot is needed, they typically have good imaginations.

Decent food that is more than just X plus chips.

an enclosed, large outdoor area with play equipment... and wasp traps help...

plastic cups would be helpful

when mine were little few pubs had changing facilities but now they are older I notice lots of pubs are getting them. Same with highchairs - think things are improving.

I don't like going to pubs with play areas, as the moment DD sees them it's basically impossible to keep her in her seat without a massive tantrum. Crayons and toys are welcome however.

Friendly staff, NO carpet (makes clearing up the mess that much easier), comfy sofas, and decent quality food which isn't just frozen nuggets and chips.

Safe enclosed indoor and outdoor play areas are very welcome. Activity packs for at the table, plastic drink cups, varied children's menu, ice cream machine always goes down very well. Friendly staff who make all feel welcome is a must. Plenty of clean highchairs, booster seats would be appreciated too.

lots of menu choice, outdoor play area and its a favourite

Bringing the children's meals out ASAP.
A play area outside.
Plenty of clean toilets with at least one child high sink (or a step do they can reach the taps.

If it has an outdoor and indoor play area, the rest doesn't matter, we're there :) The outdoor places tend to be a bit nicer pubs overall, but we do know one place with indoor play which is still quite a classy pub, and that is solid gold!

Space to put a high chair or have a buggy next to the table.
A variety of choices on the children's menu not all sausages, nuggets, fish fingers and chips. Best pub meals we have enjoyed offer smaller portions of some of the adult dishes.
Agree prompt service for children always helps.
Play area not essential but feeling welcome with children helps us all relax.

When my children were little I always wanted places to serve their food after it had cooled to an edible temp rather than bring it red hot and then endure ten mins of screaming whilst I desperately attempted to cool it. My fav local pub is www.theploughatleigh.com/mobile very friendly, nice outdoor area, does children's after school dinners in the summer . Another favourite near relatives is www.emberinns.co.uk/nationalsearch/eastandwestmidlands/the-green-man-kenilworth, it has big boxes of Lego and toys for the children keeps them amused for ages.

A good old-fashioned beer garden is all I'd look for.

A pub loses a lot of its appeal if it becomes too family-centric, with indoor play areas etc. I like a pub to feel like a pub.

Family area or an eating area away from the main bar where people are standing around drinking. Children's menu, highchairs, play area or some toys for kids.