Days out in the north west - places to go with kids - Pubs - Inns - Child friendly restaurants - family friendly restaurants

Joshua Bradley and The Bluebell Centre, Gee Cross

The Joshua Bradley does a roaring trade in family meals, mainly due to its large and well-equipped beer garden. There are loads of outdoor tables, a duck pond, rope swings in trees, a playground and a field. Inside there’s a formal restaurant, ‘The Orangery’ with waiter service, but really you can eat anywhere if you order at the bar. Food is plain, traditional pub grub; this certainly isn’t a gastro-pub but the décor is pleasant, the staff are attentive and the ambience is very friendly. This area is known locally as the Bluebell Centre as it also compr...

Plough and Flail

With pretty much an unbeatable setting and serving terrific food, the Plough and Flail is a lovely place to visit. Myself and two girlfriends plus children arrived on a scorching hot summer’s day. We were delighted to find a wonderful grassy outside seating area across the car park from the pub with a large wooden climbing frame on a bark-chipped surface. The boys got stuck in straightaway. Unfortunately, due to health and safety regulations, we were informed that the pub isn’t allowed to serve food or drinks in this area. This created a bit of a palaver, as we had to move...

The Axe and Cleaver

Amidst some beautiful Cheshire countryside you’ll find this attractive pub, part of the Chef & Brewer chain, within the winding roads of Dunham Massey. One glorious summer’s day, after finishing Tuesday morning toddler group, we set out en masse to give it a whirl for lunch. With five mums and eight children, we were really going to put it to the test. First impressions were certainly good – we sat in the pretty beer garden at the back, which is full of wooden tables and chairs and overlooks fields and the car park. There’s no play equipment, but the...

The Black Swan

Too often in the modern age of the gastro pub, style rules over content, but this homely pub nestled in beautiful Cheshire countryside bucks that trend and delivers both in an extremely accomplished way. Auspices were promising as we pulled up - The Black Swan is very pretty and the finger post pointing one way to the Boules court and another to the outside wood-burning pizza oven with eating area indicated this was a pub that was making sure it stands out from the crowd. Not overly surprising, as it hales from excellent pedigree - it’s the “little brother” of The Sw...

The Clog and Billycock, The Ribble Valley

Eating at The Clog and Billycock is such a lovely treat – I only wish that there was one a bit closer to me in Didsbury! Meeting up with an old school friend and her two year old son Jack, we hit this Ribble Valley Inn after a good romp round the playground delights of nearby Witton Park. The Clog and Billycock is an award winning gastro-pub with a delicious line up of dishes created by celebrity chef, Nigel Haworth. What’s a joy is that there’s not a Nugget in sight; the kids’ menu is simply a scaled down and tailored version of the adults, with the same pick ...

The Inn at Whitewell

Friends visiting from London? Want to show off Lancashire? A walk in the stunning Forest of Bowland, followed by lunch at The Inn at Whitewell, fits the bill perfectly. And you’re moments away from the geographical centre of Great Britain! The lovely tiny village of Dunsop Bridge, minutes away from Whitewell, is the nearest village to the aforementioned centre, with a telephone box, BT’s 100,000th, marking the spot! Dunsop Bridge is also home to an extraordinary number of ducks that love being fed by eager children (the village shop opposite the river sells duck feed). &n...

The Little Mill Inn

Down narrow and winding country roads, on the westerly edge of Derbyshire’s rolling hills and next to a babbling river complete with restored working waterwheel, you’ll discover The Little Mill Inn. Dating back to the 18th Century when it was a candlewick mill, this is a lovely country pub. Armed with two babies and two energetic four-year-olds, we descended on a quietish sunny weekday in the school holidays. First impression is what a fantastic location, second is what an amazing slide – it really is enormous. The children’s play area, built in...

The Roebuck

This Grade II listed country inn in Mobberley came highly recommended and following my visit, justly so. Having booked in advance, which we did easily enough on the day, we turned up with two rather irate and hungry children. Our waitress was wonderful; on seeing that our original table wasn’t in a brilliant place for the pram and highchair, she swiftly moved us to a better position. She also took our order quickly, brought bread out to pacify the children and the meal was delivered as promptly as possible. The food was excellent, with a kids’ selection and most o...

The Three Fishes

The Three Fishes is a bit off the beaten track but definitely worth the trip if you are looking for a top quality meal with a top quality kids’ menu. We have been there for special occasions with all the family, which prompts a note of warning – you definitely have to book (although this option is available only for parties of six or more). If not, your names go on a blackboard waiting list and be aware that the lunch menu is served only until 2pm on Saturdays – it’s snacks afterwards. Don’t be put off by the thought of a crammed full restaurant though, i...

The White Hart

Set on a hillside in the countryside, with impressive views over Oldham and Manchester, this is a traditional pub serving wholesome and some locally sourced food and ales. Its website states humorously, “children are welcome... and help to control sometimes badly behaved adults whom are obviously not tolerated!” We found the atmosphere a little stiff and starched but the staff were very polite and we had an enjoyable lunch. The pub has tables set for dining and a snug area where you can just enjoy a drink. The children’s meals are excellent quality but some may find ...

Worsley Old Hall

As we all know, little ones can’t sit still for long, so on a warm day Worsley Old Hall is a good choice if you want a leisurely lunch. The elegant 16th Century hall (formerly the home of the Duke of Bridgewater) is set in its own grounds overlooking Marriot Worsley Park Golf Club. You can sit and relax on the terrace and savour your dessert and coffee whilst your children run around on the lawn or clamber and climb on fallen branches in full view. The food is from the Brewers Fayre chain, of which the hall is now part. There is a children’s menu that tries to promote heal...