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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A pub with some outdoor space such as a beer garden or childrens play area, as it gives them somewhere to let off steam

When my preschoolers were younger I cared about high chairs and the like (most of what this thread discusses). The reality is that prams etc take up a lot of space and I understand why many pubs don't have the room. The reason however that I go to e.g. Carluccios over my local pub options is a mixture of food quality/kids activity sheets/food the kids will eat/ fast service. A local pub would be morw likely to win my trade if it had run-about space. Few london pubs have this and when they do it tends to be a beer garden with seats, not a playground.

I think the best kind of pub, is where the kids meal is served first. The number of pubs and restaurants I have been in, where the adults meals come out first and the children are not happy. I have only ever seen meals come out first for kids at local, non-franchise pubs.

I think a family friendly pub has things to entertain the children like a playground or indoor ball pit.

I'd eat somewhere that had a kids corner - just a few toys, books etc would do the trick.

Places who give out crayons/ paper get extra points, as does quick service. Eating with young childcare is stressful & if we can be in/out within an hour that's great.

Food-wise, my kids will always eat pizza, macaroni cheese/spaghetti bolognese, sausages & mash etc. Hidden veg ( eg mash) is a bonus. Not so keen on chicken nuggets & chips or really processed foods, or spicy foods. It's good if staff ask how your kids food should come out eg with adult starters so you can help them eat before your main meal comes.

Worst nightmare: slow service, lots of glasses & cutlery on table (to be grabbed by kids).

Free customer wifi is an absolute winner!

Where you are just welcome. Not taking it too far my family just want to have a meal and enjoy the facilities. Not be fussed over .

Good range on kids menu; reasonable prices (including kids drinks); veggie options for me; sensible vegetable options & portions for kids meals (a rare quality in my experience!)

Entertainment for the kids, it doesn't have to be much just a doodle pad would do!

play area for children activities and puzzles for them to do while waiting and healthy salad snack bar incase they cant do waiting and child friendly menus with pictures, and a estimated wait time to be served , re fillable pop and water macine with ice x

I think you just get a feeling for places. You need to feel comfortable.

activity packs, friendly staff, fresh air, well lit

Activity packs or colouring sheets are great for keeping little ones busy until their food comes. One local eatery has etch-a-sketches which is also a brilliant idea.

A decent variety of food on the children's menu is also important, with the ability to change or swap part of the meal. Also a good range of drinks including smoothies or milkshakes always goes down well. Jugs of tap water and glasses on the table is also appreciated.

Secure garden space or play area is a bonus especially in the summer, especially if there are also tables and chairs outside so the kids can go off and play whilst the adults finish eating. A local restaurant has a huge lawn with a football net and a big box of footballs, which my kids love.

The Windmill in Ashford Kent.
friendly staff, tables and chairs so the kids can colour in and play and most importantly, a secure fun garden

we live in Northwich in Cheshire our local brewers fayre is great for families,always got colouring for children on table to keep them busy, fruit shoots and slush machine plenty of high chairs good childrens menu.good toilets suitable for nappy changing also is a must, friendly staff and hot food

We end up in pub restaurant chains that offer a menu where you can pick the main with say sausage, chips, veg, and replace chips with mash etc.

We also like the dd's getting colouring in/activity sheets with crayons, and also a play area. Could be anything from the garden, indoor soft play or toys in an area.

Warm friendly staff that don't mind children is a must.

Also, toilet cubicles big enough for an adult to stand in with their child.

Baby changing facilities, high chairs and perhaps somewhere for children to play in the beer garden - perfect for a sunny day

Clean, no smoking, colouring sheets and pencils offered as soon as you arrive, large garden (ideal in Spring & Summer), interesting kids menu (not only fish fingers or chicken nuggets ..) and friendly staff!

Very friendly staff and lots of choice of kids food

What makes a family-friendly pub for me is most of all, not feeling like you have to staple your child to the seat so they don't move, in case of disapproving staff and other pub visitors giveing you the side eye!
I think a play area, either inside or outside, and a varied kid-friendly menu also helps too.
A good pub that sticks in my mind is The Guild in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, which is a Brewers Fayre chain. I always find this chain very family-friendly.

Good, nutritional food which different choices. Tables spaced out. Play area suitable for all age groups.

The welcome of a family is usually a good sign for us.
We also like pubs/restaurants that do small versions of all the adult main meals instead of the usual beige food that kids get served up. It has meant that our children love a variety of flavours and dishes and are willing to try new dishes.
Little worksheets and colouring pencils are a good time filler.

Good clean baby changing facilities and an area away from the bar where kids can have a play area

A pub that offers children menu's they can colour in/ activity sheets or a pub with a play area. Breastfeeding friendly and good toilet facilities. Also highchairs need to be maintained and clean!

an outside childrens play area

A good choice of food with smaller potions for children and a choice of soft drinks. It's not family friendly if the choice is mostly alcoholic drinks. Meal deals and free treats as well is good.