12
Oct
2009
Child-friendly but still posh pub
The Olde Bell in Hurley is a bl**dy brilliant pub just outside of London. We visited a few weeks ago with some very groovy friends who generally know the cool food places (hanging off their coat tails as I am neither groovy nor cool) and it turned out to be a great location for us and the small people. The food was fantastic. And they have a MASSIVE garden out the back. 
The kids slept in prams during lunch (it’s on the slightly posh side so it’s not really a place for marauding toddlers inside – no chicken nuggets on the menu, put it that way.) However, the staff were amazingly welcoming and one lovely lady even babysat the prams while we all had a drink in the bar. (She didn’t look like a child-stealer). However, the garden was the highlight and the kids ran around for hours after lunch. It was raining (quelle surprise for London) but the kids didn’t mind and this suited us perfectly. Would be gorgeous as a spot for an adults-only lunch (or weekend, it has accommodation and there seemed to be a few more b’nb s down the tiny road), but as a summer destination, this would also be amazing – has its own bar and heaps of tables outside and children can run amok whilst parents eat the restaurant lunch or more casual BBQ lunch and get slowly sozzled in beautiful surroundings. With one person remaining the designated driver/responsible parent. Obviously. I wish there was a list of every child friendly pubs in every city. See here for their website.
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We had 2 babies and a toddler inside – they were still most welcome. Actually set aside space at table for each baby carrier. They keep one of the inside rooms as a “family room” it seemed where additional bowls of pasta were provided at the toddler’s request as well as multiple ice cream cones, kiddie glasses of apple juice and crayons with colouring sheets (all at no extra cost). This room had the french doors opening straight onto the outdoor BBQ area so toddler could easily wander in and out.
And, did you check out the baby change/feeding facilities in the bathroom area upstairs…..GREAT! Changing the baby’s nappy wasn’t that bad when AA Milne’s tales were told over the bathroom audio system
no – I totally missed the change facilities. Plus missed the crayons etc – it just gets better!
[...] we idle parented at lunch. We were at previously reviewed awesome venue The Old Belle. Children ran amok in large enclosed garden and we ate and drank in relative peace at table. Apart [...]