With Kids in the Westcountry
Jun 23, 20214 min
Updated: Jul 7, 2022
A while ago I set myself a fun (and maybe overly ambitious) challenge of working my way around all of the pubs with playgrounds in my patch. But then lockdowns happened which rather slowed us down!
So, I’ve decided to pull together a list in progress, featuring some of my tried and tested favourites and also some places on my ‘to visit’ list.
I’ll keep this post updated so please do contact me with your suggestions for great family-friendly pubs or restaurants with playgrounds in the area and I’ll add it in!
For play cafes and soft play, please search the home page by the Cafes and Soft Play category.
Please note - restrictions on play facilities and table bookings may apply while we are still under COVID-19 restrictions. It may be advisable to contact the venue directly to confirm what's open and available.
Large pub known for its carveries with large garden and outdoor play area (swings, pirate boat)
Traditional country pub with outdoor adventure play area, complete with twisty slide.
The Twisted Oak, Ide (near Exeter)
Pub with impressive-looking outdoor play area. The website mentions new indoor soft play and screen to watch films opening soon.
Read my write up here. Smart modern café restaurant and small farm shop with playground suitable for approx. up to age 8 adjacent to the café. Goats and chickens to meet and fairy garden for the little ones.
Read my write up here. County pub with large riverside garden and a small play set for younger children.
The Cat & Fiddle Inn, Clyst St Mary
Country pub with newly installed indoor soft play, and an outdoor play area.
Large farm shop development with large indoor food hall (last time I went there was a basket of toys for babies and toddlers); outdoors there is a modern adventure play area, farm walk and animals to meet.
The Donkey Sanctuary Cafe, Sidmouth
Not a pub with a playground, but certainly a great option for families looking for a child-friendly place to eat with play facilities on-site. It’s free to enter the Donkey Sanctuary, which has a large airy modern restaurant (colouring sheets and crayons usually available) and a small outdoor play area complete with real tractor to climb on just a couple of donkey fields away. Read my write up here for more info.
Greendale Farm Shop, Farringdon nr Exeter
Farm shop with café restaurant and securely fenced outdoor play area.
This pub looks like a destination for an epic family day out! An all-weather family pub with gardens, activity play areas, fishing, football, indoor play barn/soft play, toddler area, pool/darts/skittles/squash AND a bookable indoor swimming pool!
Hunters Lodge, between Charmouth and Axminster
Read my write-up here. Pub serving pub favourites, with indoor games room ideal for wet weather (pool, board games, children’s toy box) and garden with play equipment/ride ons.
The Tow Bar at Newlands Holiday Park, Charmouth
Read my write up here. Open to the public, this is a lovely friendly bar/pub with terrace, pool table and two outdoor play areas on-site. You can also book slots to use the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and small soft play for younger children.
Martin’s Bar at Highland’s End, Eype near Bridport
Read my write up here. Open to the public, this is a holiday park bar and restaurant with fire engine memorabilia inside, pool table, indoor soft play for the under 8s, and an outside fenced adventure play area with nice views.
Read my write up here. Traditional country pub with surprisingly large garden, outdoor playground and goats to meet/feed.
Spacious pub with outdoor children’s play area and indoor toddler play zone.
Brewers Fayre pub with indoor soft play centre.
Family friendly pub near Dorchester and Weymouth with garden and modern outside play area.
Pips Railway Carriage Café Restaurant, South Petherton
Read my write up here. A real hidden gem and a personal favourite – eat in your own booth in a train carriage, or on a double decker bus, or in a marquee with kids area. The garden has a sand pit with digger, two mini double decker busses, and space to play.
La Campagna, Buckland St Mary, Chard
A fusion of traditional pub and Italian Brasserie, this pub has had a full interior refurb. With a dedicated children's menu and a large garden with play area, this looks to be a good bet.
Hungry Horse pub with large outdoor playground and garden.
Read my write up here. Farm shop and large café restaurant, with small indoor toddler area/play box, and an enclosed garden with space to roam and play. Small ‘rustic’ play area in garden.
The Anchor, Hillfarrance, Taunton
I can’t find any images so this is a bit of a wildcard – however, Tripadvisor reviews quote the beautiful beer garden, field and fenced, well-equipped garden play area. Children have access to lego and colouring sheets inside.
Brewers Fayre pub with indoor soft play centre.
The Merry Monk, Monkton Heathfield, Taunton
Pub with beer garden, small outside wooden play area and toddlers play area
This thatched country pub is said to overlook the village green where children can play on a wooden ship or swings.
Modern family pub with small patio play areas.
Farm shop with café restaurant and outdoor play area suitable for younger children
Pics in order L-R:
1 - Martin's Bar at Highland's End, Eype
2 & 3 - Hare & Hounds, Sidbury
4 & 5 - Tow Bar at Newlands, Charmouth
6 - The Bell Inn, Yeovil
7 - Heron Farm, near Honiton
8 & 9 - Hunter's Lodge, Axminster
10 - Hare & Hounds, Sidbury