Good New Forest Pubs with Children’s Play Area is important to us. So we went looking for one with the cows and horses graze yards from the beer garden. The little ones can run wild in the play parks, and you smile to yourself. One, for knowing they are having fun, and two, because you know they will be tired come bedtime.
That’s the theory anyway. We have covered Free Things to do, but this one requires a little bit of your hard-earned money. Perhaps you have just been out on an exhilarating walk, and want somewhere to unwind?
My wife and I like nothing more than popping to a nice country pub for lunch and a shandy or two. Yet, for some reason, our 5-year-old doesn’t share our enthusiasm. Unless of course, there is a decent play area.
That is why we went on a hunt for nice New Forest pubs that can cater to all the family’s desires. We hunted for some New Forest Pubs with Children’s Play Areas.
Our requirements were simple.
To start with, we wanted there to be a semi-decent menu. We are not food connoisseurs by any stretch of the imagination. But, we don’t like unhealthy, processed food either.
After that, all we wanted was something to keep our son entertained for the duration of our visit.
In our opinion, that is not too much to ask. So, off I went. Scouring for New Forest Pubs with Children’s Play Areas.
The below list is what I came up with. I hope it helps you too.
If there are other New Forest Pubs with Children’s Play Areas that you know of, let me know in the comments section below.
New Forest Pubs with Children’s Play Areas
The New Forest, SO40 7AA
Here, you get the best of both worlds. A pub situated right on the A35, yet with a large garden, play area and views into the Forest.
It gives you a chance for a bite, and the kids a run around, before hitting the potential gridlock of Lyndhurst.
The play area is one of the biggest on this list. This should ensure the little ones are entertained between eating and drinking.
With 3 menus, plus a Sunday menu, there should be something to suit everyone’s taste. An extensive range of wines, beers, spirits, and soft drinks will ensure you won’t leave thirsty.
The Drift Inn, Beaulieu Road
Situated deep in the New Forest, this pub has very little around it, which adds to its appeal. At the rear, this pub has a large garden with a fenced play area at the far end.
Slides, mini Rock climbing walls and rope bridges will all keep the little ones busy. In the meantime, you can sit at one of the many picnic tables and enjoy a drink.
There is a decent array of beers and ales, both local and international, along with a varied wine list. All this means the grown-ups while away the hours letting the little ones burn off some excess energy in the play area. While the food may not win any awards, it is good pub food with plenty of choice on the menu.
We visit this one regularly, so it had to appear on our New Forest Pubs with Children’s Play Areas list.
The Langley Tavern, Blackfield
Only a short drive from Lepe Country park sits the Langley Tavern. If you are looking for New Forest Pubs with Children’s Play Areas that have a huge, and I mean huge, garden, then this is for you.
Stretching to the side and to the rear, the large garden has picnic tables dotted around. This means if you want to, you can enjoy some privacy while watching your little ones play.
The play area itself is one structure with climbing ladders and poles to help them get up high. A slide and fireman’s type pole is there to help them down again.
Simply cooked food and the usual beers are on offer. Add this to the expansive outdoor space and it makes this perfect pub for larger gatherings.
The White Hart, SO40 2NP
Situated only 1 minute from where the M27 turns into the A31, The White Hart is a great alternative to the usual motorway service station.
A large garden with a play area may be enough to keep the smaller ones in the family busy for a little while. Swings, climbing frame with slide, and even a tractor to climb on.
There are tables scattered around, so it is easy to keep an eye on the little ones. Add in the varied menu and it makes it a great place to burn of some energy, and fill up again at the same time.
I can’t not mention the Gin menu. Online I counted 65 different types of Gin. Quite impressive. This coming from a non-gin drinker too.
Sir Walter Tyrell, SO43 7HD
You could be mistaken for thinking you are lost when trying to find this pub. There are no obvious houses nearby. The road you drive down to reach it feels like the only thing you are going to find at the end of it is a farm.
Then, the road opens out, and the large pub sits looking out over beautiful forest views.
The play area itself has a large structure for climbing on. There are slides and other means of descent to enjoy. You also have balance beams and other climbing apparatus. All fenced off, with bark chippings on the floor to help prevent serious injury.
Reasonably priced menus, of which there are 3, ensures you can enjoy pub food in a true forest location. Knowing the children are entertained too, is a bonus!
Crown Stirrup, SO43 7DE
Under a mile from Lyndhurst is the Crown Stirrup. This is a small country pub, and with its low ceilings and smallish bar gives a real ‘Locals’ Country Pub feel.
There is a nice quiet garden out the back, with a small play area to the right. A small structure consisting of a couple of ladders and a slide, this won’t be the biggest play area on this list.
There is not much parking with space for 15 cars or so. The Crown Stirrup serves traditional pub food, with a lighter bites menu. This means there should be something for everyone’s appetite.
Rising Sun, BH25 5SF
A bigger pub with a more commercial feel. Lots of seating, inside and out, means it can cater for larger groups without too much trouble.
In the garden, there is plenty of seating, and one of the bigger and better play areas on this list. A large wooden structure with steps, slides, poles and platforms.
This means those enjoying it can keep entertained while the parents sit back on the decking.
The menu is thorough, but the ‘Lite Bites’ section did not excite me too much.
The Snakecatcher, SO42 7RL
In the heart of Brockenhurst, you will find the Snakecatcher.
Right on the road, and a stone’s throw from the train station, this pub has one of the smaller gardens. It also has one of the smallest play areas on this list.
In fact, this play area is more likely to be found in a lucky child’s back garden.
One ladder, a little climbing wall and a slide is all you get. But if you are visiting the town, and want to have a bite, and keep the children happy, then this could be an option.
The menu here has all the usual offerings, but a bit more. Cook it yourself Hot Stones. You get a searing hot stone and raw food for you to cook yourself.
We first tried these in New Zealand, and there are few places in the UK (we have found) that offer this. They are fun to try, and healthy and tasty too. A word of warning, keep the little one’s fingers well clear. These stones are VERY hot!
The Turfcutters Arms, SO42 7WL
Between Lymington and Beaulieu, although closer to Beaulieu, is a village called Boldre.
If you look hard enough, you will find the Turfcutters Arms. There is quite an impressive garden out the back with plenty of seating.
Nearer the end of the garden is quite a nice play area. Slides, swings, ladders and platforms should keep the children entertained for a while.
While not a big structure, it packs a lot into a smaller space.
Typical pies, burgers, and sausages keep the menu as pub-like as you would expect. The Kids Menu has all the usual favourites and includes a Jug of Squash, which is a good idea.
The Forest Home, SO45 3FH
Near Hardley, and just south of the humorously named Butts Ash, is the Forest Home. Our final pub in our New Forest Pubs with Children’s Play Areas list.
Beyond the manicured garden, is the play area.
The garishly yellow and green painted play area is great for those that love to climb. It will be less fun for those that like sliding down things. Two swings and a small slide are a side dish to a larger climbing frame.
Hoops, netting, ladders and platforms ensure the children can use up plenty of energy before or after lunch.
The menu is not the most varied, with Roast Dinners dominating, even on the main menu. The separate Sunday menu includes similar items.
Where is your Favourite New Forest Pub with a Children’s Play Area?
Let me know below if there are other New Forest Pubs with Children’s Play Areas that you recommend. We would love to check them out!!
Or if there is any good New Forest Pub you can recommend or other great play areas, feel free to share.