Our pick of the best pubs with play areas

At Greene King, we believe every parent deserves to sit back and relax with a cold glass of their favourite tipple. Which is why we feel our pubs provide the perfect spot for some family fun. 

Many of our locations have generous outdoor spaces and play areas to keep the little ones busy, so parents can enjoy an interrupted moment with a drink from our well-stocked bar, or a plate from our popular food menu.  

Some of our pubs even have the fun built-in - quite literally - with indoor Wacky Warehouse soft play offering hours of entertainment. Perfect for those rainy weekends. 

Plus, many of our pubs sit in prime locations with tons of fun offerings right on their doorstep, including farms, beaches and historic sites. 

So if you're looking for somewhere to venture with the whole family, here are five of our favourite pubs with play areas to keep everyone happy. 

Hartford Mill, Wyton  - Family fun with waterside dining 

Less than a 10-minute drive from Huntington station and tucked away in the Cambridgeshire countryside is the Hartford Mill pub. Loved by visitors and locals alike, it offers a prime spot for a tasty bite and a refreshing sip of something special from the well-stocked bar. There's even free car parking and coach access.  

The large outdoor terrace and spacious beer garden are perfect for soaking up the summer sunshine. Plus, it’s located on the Hartford Marina, so you get to enjoy al fresco dining with waterside views. Come hungry, as the pub is famed for its plentiful carvery roasts with lashings of gravy and all the trimmings. Need to shelter from the wet weather? The kids will be entertained for hours with the Wacky Warehouse indoor play area and there's seating and food and drink served on-site, so you can still unwind while keeping a watchful eye. 

If you want to explore the surrounding area, you can hire a boat at the Hartford Marina and enjoy some fun on the water. Prefer dry land? The nearby Norris Museum tells the rich history of Huntington from 160 million years ago to the present day and entry is free. The Godmanchester Nature Reserve is perfect for family strolls and spotting wildlife in their natural habitat - including otters, kingfishers and the scarce chaser dragonfly. 

The Barley Mow, Stafford - A vibrant spot with natural beauty  

If you're looking for a cosy spot that gives everyone a warm welcome, The Barley Mow pub in Stafford should be next on your list to visit. It's dog-friendly too, so bring your furry friend and they can enjoy dog biscuits from the bar. 

The spacious beer garden has a play area for the kids and large parasols on each table to offer shade from the summer heat, so parents can sit back and relax in the sunshine with a glass of something special. Family feasting is made easy too, as the menu boasts pub classics and seasonal surprises - plus a dedicated kids' menu. There's also an indoor Wacky Warehouse soft play to keep the little ones happy.  

Looking for where to head on next? The pub is right next to Mildford Common, which has walking trails that are buzzing with wildlife. You're also less than a ten-minute drive from the National Trust site Shugborough Hall. Explore the Georgian mansion and all its worldly treasures or discover the walled garden and ancient woodlands. 

The Mylett Arms, Greenford - A charming spot with the capital on its doorstep 

The Mylett Arms is situated in the leafy suburbs of North West London and less than a ten-minute walk from Perivale tube station, which is ideal if you're exploring on foot. Kids can enjoy both outdoor play in the large beer garden or indoor fun at the Wacky Warehouse soft play.  

The dedicated kids' menu features a ton of tasty classics, as well as the popular Build Your Own Mini Mania - which lets them get creative with their desserts. Parents don't have to worry about missing the match either, as the pub has Sky Sports and TNT Sports screens showing all the action.  

Just a ten-minute drive away is Hanwell Zoo, which is home to capybaras and meerkats. You could also pay a visit to Northala Fields, which features four artificial hills that offer incredible views. There are also fishing lakes and a kids’ play area. 

Plus, if you want to venture into the city centre, it's just seven stops on the Central Line to trendy Notting Hill or a 30-minute train to Oxford Street. 

The Story Book, Boldon - A bit of pub grub near the coast

Close to the coast is The Story Book pub in Boldon. Sat opposite a Cineworld, it's in a prime location for family fun.  

They serve the carvery fresh every day and you can pile your plates high with a choice of three succulent meats, the crispiest roast potatoes, generous servings of gravy and all the veg. The menu also boasts pub favourites, including stacked burgers and fish and chips.  

The beer garden is a great spot for soaking up the summer sunshine and the outdoor play area will keep the kids happy while they wait for their food to arrive. Plus, the indoor Wacky Warehouse soft play is on hand if you need a little extra entertainment. 

Take a trip to the nearby Seaburn Beach after your visit. The sandy beach is great for building castles and the rockpools are the ideal spot for an afternoon of crabbing. 

The Melrose Inn, Cardiff - A pub lunch near with farmyard fun 

Just a 20-minute drive from Cardiff's buzzing city centre is the Melrose Inn pub. The picturesque outdoor space is filled with tables for al fresco summer dining and there's a Wacky Warehouse indoor soft play area to keep the kids entertained - come rain or shine.  

Live sports are covered, with Sky Sports and TNT Sports showing all the latest coverage and the car park and disabled facilities offer a hassle-free experience for visitors. 

The location is unbeatable too. Just a ten-minute drive away is the Walnut Tree Farm Park, where kids can make friends with the farmyard animals and learn about nature. They can also enjoy a cuddle with the rabbits or a horse ride through the fields. For older children, the farm also offers go-karting and there are regular tractor rides that run throughout the day. 

Nearby is also Hendre Lake Park, which is a beautiful choice for a post-lunch stroll, as well as birdwatching or even fishing. 

Wherever you are, you're never too far away from a Greene King pub with a play area. We know how important it is for the kids to be entertained and for the adults to have a much-needed kid-free catch-up. Find the nearest pub to you where the little ones can play and you can sip away!