Now that school is out it is safe to say that summer is officially here, and what better way to spend an afternoon than by sitting outside and enjoying an ice-cold drink or delicious meal with your family. Whilst most pubs have gardens or patios, they are not always safe or entertaining for children. Happy kids equal happy parents! In order to help you find the ideal pub for you we have put together this guide to a few of the best pub gardens for families in Essex.
Six Bells, Boreham CM3 3JE
A Greene King pub since 1905, the Six Bells is everything you would expect from a traditional country drinking establishment. It has received a Cask Marque award for its real ales and also offers a full table service and air-conditioned restaurant.
It has a large, flat garden with plenty of play equipment for kids including swings, a see-saw, slide and a climbing frame. Children’s and gluten-free menus also ensure that there is food suitable for everyone in the family.
The White Horse at Ramsden Heath, Billericay CM11 1NA
The White Horse is part of TLC Inns, an independent and family run company. Recently refurbished, it has a crisp and modern style that offers broad appeal. Its extensive outdoor area is ideal for children as it has an adventure playground with a variety of equipment including slides, tunnels, monkey bars and climbing frames. There is also a separate area more suited to younger children.
With the option to eat ‘al fresco’, look no further than the White Horse pub garden for an ideal location to spend an afternoon with the family.
Kings Oak, High Beach, Epping Forest IG10 4AE
The Kings Oak is a popular venue for weddings, civil partnerships, and corporate/social events as well as a family-orientated pub. They even cater for kids parties. The forest garden has a fully equipped play area that includes climbing frames, swings and slides. During the summer months they also have one or two bouncy castles available to help wear your small people out!
The restaurant offers a full gastro menu for adults, with a specially-tailored ‘cheeky monkey’ kids menu, meaning that there really is something for all the family at the Kings Oak.
The Woodman, Ongar CM5 9QF
A Shepherd Neame country pub dating back from 174, The Woodman has an ideal pub garden for family time. The spacious garden has extensive seating available next to an enclosed play area. For your older children there is a field with goalposts, ideal for burning off some of their energy.
The patio terrace gives your family the option to eat outside, with the pub offering a wide menu ranging from classic pub grub to international and fusion cuisine.
Theydon Oak, Epping CM16 7QJ
The Theydon Oak is a traditionally styled pub with exposed oak beams and an inglenook fireplace offering all of the charm of a classic country pub. They are also members of the Cask Marque for their wide selection of real ales. The fully enclosed garden was opened by Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster and is a safe place for your children to play, with an adventure playhouse which includes swings and a slide.
Three spacious outdoor patios and an extensive restaurant menu makes it easy to dine outside and enjoy the sunshine with your family.
The Saxon King, Southend SS2 6QN
Part of the Marston’s group, the Saxon King is a contemporary and spacious family pub offering a choice of cask ales from the Marston’s Breweries. It’s large, flat garden is safe for children and with indoor and outdoor play areas there is plenty to keep the youngest generation of your family entertained.
The restaurant provides a wide choice of meals including Rotisserie chicken, plus there is a dedicated kids menu. The patio dining area ensures that the Saxon King has a pub garden that you could quite happily stay in all day long.
The Sun Inn, Nazeing EN9 2DE
Situated on Broadley Common and a McMullen’s pub since 1997, The Sun Inn combines traditional and contemporary styling. Home to possibly the largest pub garden in Essex, there is a huge expanse of space for your children to play safely and burn off steam. Play equipment includes swings, forts, climbing frames, bouncy castles and even a football pitch.
Offering typical but delicious pub grub from an extensive menu, The Sun Inn really is a pub that is suitable for everyone in the family.