Family pubs · checked October 2026
27 pubs with a confirmed play area and 12 more with regular kids’ activities, from Ealing and Harefield to Dulwich and Epping Forest. Each one is checked against the pub’s own site and recent reviews. Nearest first.
Climbing frames, slides, swings and play forts, nearest first. Every pub here is confirmed by its own website or operator and by a review or listing from 2025 or 2026. Outdoor play kit is weather-dependent, so check in winter.
Indoor soft play plus an outdoor play area and spacious beer garden.
For kids: Indoor soft play.
Before you go: Greene King has the pub under review for possible sale.
Large garden with a children's play area at the far end, with climbing frames and a slide.
Climbing frame and slide beside the beer garden, so parents can watch from their table.
Garden set in open fields with a wooden climbing frame and a tipi for children.
Play area at the back of a heated beer garden with a climbing wall, rope bridge and slide; benches for supervising adults.
Before you go: New owner in 2026 and a change of operator is planned. Check the play area is open.
Bavarian-style beer garden on the river with a small playground at the back, best for under-4s.
Children's play area in an L-shaped garden.
Before you go: Very busy on Twickenham match days.
Big garden play area with a climbing frame, metal tunnel and large slide; countryside views.
Well-equipped indoor children's playroom, plus a garden opposite Brockwell Park.
Before you go: Ask whether the playroom is open before you visit.
Outdoor play area in a large garden.
Dedicated kids' play area in the rear garden with a full-size climbing frame, slide and ride-on toys, visible from most tables. Separate side garden has table tennis and boules for adults.
For kids: Seasonal kids' trails (free Halloween trail, October 2026); Kids' birthday parties.
Before you go: The rear garden is covered over in winter, so the play area may be closed.
Very large landscaped rear garden with a children's climbing frame. Peckham Rye Park's playgrounds are across the road.
Outdoor play equipment in a sun-trap garden.
Before you go: The play equipment is not described anywhere. Ask before travelling.
Outdoor kids' play area beside a terrace overlooking 36 acres of grounds.
For kids: Fireworks night.
Big beer garden with a children's play area, including a slide and small play set.
Before you go: Children may not be admitted after 6pm.
Outdoor play area in the garden with slides and climbing frames; garden extended to include petanque and play.
For kids: Seasonal kids' activity sheets; Colouring sets.
Large beer garden with a children's play area at the far end, visible from the seating.
For kids: Breakfast with Santa.
Play area tucked behind a huge heated beer garden, next to a marquee used for children's parties.
For kids: Kids' table of fun in the dining area; Kids' birthday party packages (balloons, buffet, candy floss, karaoke); Seasonal family events: pumpkin carving and trick-or-treat disco, Christmas market.
Two well-equipped playgrounds with swings and climbing frames in a large riverside garden.
For kids: Bouncy castle.
Outdoor play area and family zone in a large rear garden.
For kids: Kids' Club on the second Saturday of the month; Breakfast with Santa.
Before you go: Kids' Club dates come from a CAMRA survey. Ring the pub to confirm.
Fenced children's play area with climbing frame and slides in a leafy garden.
Children's play area in a spacious enclosed garden with picnic benches and an outdoor bar.
For kids: Kids eat free promotion in school half term.
Pub gardens with a children's play fort.
Large garden with a children's play area including a climbing frame.
For kids: Christmas Market.
Large family garden with a kids' playground (slides and climbing equipment), plus a quieter side garden and heated patio.
Enclosed 'Forest Garden' with a fully equipped play area: climbing frames, swings and slides.
For kids: Kids' party packages (under-13s); Kids' pool parties in summer marquee (bookable); Teen discos (bookable).
Before you go: The bar is often booked for private events. Check it is open to walk-ins.
Large fenced garden with four playgrounds for different ages, an adventure tree house, a ride-on race track and a mini football pitch.
For kids: Mini football pitch (bring your own ball); Ride-on race track.
Before you go: Right on the 15-mile edge of this guide.
No play equipment, but a regular programme for children: supervised craft tables, workshops, drama classes, a miniature railway and family events. Most run year-round.
For kids: Kids eat free at Saturday brunch and Sunday gospel brunch; Kids' art workshop and radio show sessions.
For kids: Creative Kids Craft Workshop, twice a month on Sundays 1-3pm (hosted by Asterakia); Themed kids' parties (Easter, Halloween, Christmas lunch with the Elf and Santa); Family toy and book swap shop.
Before you go: Finalist, Best Pub for Families, Great British Pub Awards 2026.
For kids: The Kids' Table: free supervised arts, crafts and games every Sunday.
Before you go: Published times for the Sunday craft table vary. Book and check.
For kids: The Kids' Table: free supervised arts and crafts corner for ages 3-10, every Saturday 12-4pm.
For kids: East Sheen Spring/Easter Hunt (Apr 2025, Apr 2026); Halloween Hunt trail (24 Oct 2026); Prizes for best-dressed children.
For kids: The Kids' Table: free supervised arts and crafts corner for ages 3-10, every Sunday 12-4pm (free to dining customers).
For kids: The Kids' Table: free supervised arts and crafts corner for ages 3-10, every Saturday 12-4pm (Halloween session 31 Oct 2026).
For kids: Decorate-your-own cupcake dessert for children; Toys and colouring crayons at the table; Kids' birthday parties (party menu).
For kids: Bounce house sessions; Family discos; Baby Knees Up and Baby Broadway family concerts.
Before you go: A beer hall rather than a pub. Most family events are ticketed.
For kids: The Kids' Table: free supervised arts and crafts corner for ages 3-10, every Friday 3.30-7.30pm; Baby pub quiz for 0-2s on Tuesdays.
For kids: Strawberry Drama: drama and musical theatre classes for ages 4-16, Mondays and Wednesdays.
For kids: Holly Tree Railway miniature train rides, every Saturday and Sunday 1-4pm, £2 per ride.
Pubs within walking distance of Willesden, Queen’s Park and Kilburn. None has a play area or kids’ programme, but several have gardens that work with children in tow.
Hotel pub and restaurant on Cricklewood Broadway with a garden and family rooms.
Before you go: New operator from July 2026. Check the family policy.
Victorian pub on Kilburn High Road with a side garden and restaurant.
Before you go: Opens at 4pm on weekdays.
Relaxed café-bar on Salusbury Road with pavement seating. Queen's Park playground is a short walk.
Before you go: Over-21s only after 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Gastropub on Salusbury Road. No published children's policy, so ask before you book.
West Hampstead bar with a mezzanine and outdoor seating. Weekend brunch is the best time for families.
Big part-covered yard on Kilburn High Road with picnic tables and sports screens.
Before you go: Sports pub. Smoking is allowed in the yard; children out by 8pm (6pm Fri–Sat).
Large garden a few minutes from Hampstead Heath, and a historic basement skittle alley.
Historic inn on the edge of the Heath with a big walled garden and board games.
Before you go: No step-free access, so buggies may struggle.
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