Cotswold pubs with playgrounds

Welcome to our guide on the best Cotswold pubs with playgrounds, so the adults can enjoy a refreshing drink while the kids play freely, entertained on the swings!

There is nothing more British than going to the pub, right?! (apart from maybe talking about the weather over a cuppa!)

Here in the Cotswolds, we have some of the most beautiful historic pubs in the UK, in beautiful village settings, bursting with charm.

Picture this: lush green countryside, winding country lanes, and nestled among it all, cosy and cute pubs with inviting playgrounds for children, so going to the pub is fun for them too! Going to beer gardens on warm summer evenings with my parents was such a fun memory I have from being younger, and it felt like such a treat! We loved getting a lemonade and a bag of crisps, and remember my parents and their friends chatting happily for a couple of hours while we played.

Country pubs with playgrounds

Some of the best Cotswold pubs with playgrounds we have found on our adventures are:

The Fleece Inn, Bretforton, Worcestershire – This pub is a real gem. Owned by the National Trust, step back in time and enjoy a drink or really good award winning food, it has a great playground in its safe, spacious and contained beer garden, so kids can run and play to their hearts contents. It is perfect for families to enjoy! We love it here. Dogs welcome? Yes. Find out more

The Plough Inn, Ford, Gloucestershire – This pub combines Cotswold charm with a family-friendly vibe, offering a playground and plenty of outdoor seating for all to enjoy. It has a great playground and is a great choice for a summer evening! Dogs welcome? Yes. Find out more

Snowhill Arms, Snowshill, Gloucestershire – The Snowshill Arms, set in the middle of tiny yet beautiful Snowshill Village, is a lovely pub with real ale, good food and a play area for the little ones. Dogs welcome? Yes. Find out more

The Carpenters Arms, Westrip, Gloucestershire – This pub has food, drinks, and a fabulous playground with a view! Located in Stroud Valley. Dogs welcome? Yes. Find out more

The Plough at Prestbury, Gloucestershire – This 17th century country pub near Cheltenham has good food and drink options, as well as a large play area for the kids. Dogs welcome? Yes. Find out more

The Bell at Frampton on Severn, Gloucestershire – this lovely Georgian red brick pub is situated in the gorgeous village of Frampton on Severn, on the edge of the large village green. The big play area is a huge hit with kids, and the good food, real ales, and other refreshing drinks options are a hit with the adults! Dogs welcome? Yes, in the garden and the bar. Find out more

Best of the rest: More family-friendly pubs in the Cotswolds

These amazing pubs have character in the bucket load, great food, drinks and are family friendly. These pubs do not have play areas in the beer garden, but most have children’s menus and beautiful outside areas.

The Lygon Arms, Broadway

This is a really great hotel/pub we highly recommend for a visit if you are in the Cotswolds. It is a hotel, spa, and restaurant, as well as having the celebrity chef ‘James Martin Grill”. From fancy cocktails to real ales, to the historic dining room, it’s a great place to go for food and drinks. They also have the Little Explorers package, where kids dine and stay for free! They also have beautiful lawns and landscaped gardens to the rear, which has games on the lawn in the summer.

Broadway is our favourite place in the Cotswolds for kids and a must visit destination. Just two minutes walk from the Lygon Arms, tucked away behind the high street is the amazing park; it’s seriously the most beautiful park I’ve ever seen and it has loads of space, play equipment for all ages and picnic areas to enjoy, all surrounded by views of the rolling hills of the Cotswolds.

The Hollow Bottom, Guiting Power

This famous pub, known for its historic charm and association with horses and racing, has a great family-friendly atmosphere. There is a wonderful, pretty playground a stone’s throw away with slides, swings, tunnels, and climbing frames, plus a fabulous sandpit! (Play area is located behind the village hall) All of this is in the picture-perfect, sleepy village of Guiting Power.

The Feathered Nest, Nether Westcote, Oxfordshire

This award winning pub is worth making a detour for on your trip to the Cotswolds. It has mouthwatering food, drinks, and a garden with an amazing view! It is family friendly and has a great children’s menu on offer.

The Red Lion, Lacock, Wiltshire

This traditional pub is directly opposite the National Trust cafe and next to beautiful Lacock Abbey. It is also right next door to a fabulous playground! Lacock is a great day out for families, and the Red Lion is a charming family-friendly pub with great food and drink and a pretty outdoor seating area.