This post is all about the best London pubs for families we have found while travelling to London as an American family.
We have officially been to London three times with children (see itineraries here and here), all at varying ages – four months to five years old. One of our favorite parts of London is the pub culture, and so we try to venture to a few new spots each time, and also revisit some of our favorites.
You may wonder, can you take children into a pub in London? My general observation is that, yes, most pubs in central London are accommodating to children, as long as its earlier in the day/evening. I would aim to arrive at 6PM or before to avoid “decent hours.” Decent hours refer to the time a pub or restaurant no longer allows children/young people. The earliest decent hours time I have seen start is 7PM, but many are later.
In addition, we avoid making reservations or sitting in what is usually called the “dining room” in pubs – they give more of a formal restaurant vibe and we are looking for a casual, lively experience. You won’t run into this at any of the places I have listed below.
The Dove, Hammersmith
The Dove is located in Hammersmith right on the River Thames, and is one of our favorite London pubs with a view. We also love the cozy interior on a cold or rainy day, perfect especially if you have booked for Sunday Lunch. Outside the pub is a large green area (Furnivall Gardens) and the Lower Mall Walkway, both perfect for little legs to run around before or after visiting the Dove.
The Churchill Arms, Kensington
The Churchill Arms is a classic, must-see London pub. You can’t miss its beautiful facade, which is always covered in flowers (or Christmas trees in the winter). Stop by for a drink or stay and order the surprisingly good Thai food made in the back. I had been to this pub before kids and it can get crowded but don’t be afraid to cozy into a table – there were plenty of other families there when we visited in the afternoon. While it doesn’t have a large space to run around or kid specific area, it is worth visiting an feels notable enough to include in a list of kid friendly London pubs.
Clissold Park Tavern, Stoke Newington
Go to Clissold Park Tavern on a sunny afternoon and enjoy their large outdoor space with picnic tables and great pizza menu. There is a large stage which is always buzzing with children, many of whom have brought a toy or two to share. My kids always make a few friends here and the energy is always high. We have run into decent hours here, which start at 7PM, but you can alternatively take your pizza to go and have a family picnic in the large park across the street.
The Hereford Arms, South Kensington
The Hereford Arms is a great neighborhood pub in South Kensington. They have a large indoor dining area that all wraps around the bar and can easily accommodate families for dinner. We had a group of five, but there were many groups of 6-8 being served dinner or drinks and watching rugby. The food menu (children’s menu too) has all the classics but we love checking out the specials board as well – everything was delicious and the service is always nice.
The Spaniards Inn, Hampstead
Head to the Spaniards Inn for a long lunch in the large garden or cozy dinner in the classic wood-paneled pub. We arrived at opening on a Sunday to secure a seat for Sunday lunch and there were many parents with the same idea. If you want a table on a sunny day, be sure to arrive early or plan to wait. We love to take a walk through Hampstead Heath and then stop for a leisurely bite. Hampstead is also our favorite neighborhood to stay in London, see why here.
This post summarized five of our favorite kid friendly London pubs. What are your favorites for us to visit next time?
