There are plenty of great family-friendly pubs and cafes in the North East, and when the sun is shining there’s nothing nicer than finding somewhere with an outdoor play area so little ones and grown ups can both relax and have fun.
There’s a handy A-Z below of 20+ fab places with play areas for toddlers and older kids, with useful links and a map to help plan your days out.
If you have any recommendations to add to the list, please do get in touch here🙂
Details are subject to change, please check the latest updates, safety measures, opening times & booking requirements directly with individual providers. Walk-ins may be welcome even if not specified below, but where booking is available it can help to avoid disappointment. Photos are for illustrative purposes only, there may be changes to play facilities and menus.
📌 26 Bracken Hill, South West Industrial Estate, Peterlee, Co. Durham, SR8 2LS
🍽 Breakfast, lunch, sweet treats and afternoon tea
👦 Outdoor play area, indoor play, baby & toddler classes and special events.
👉 Book a play session here.
📌 Red Row, Beamish, Stanley, Durham, DH9 0RW
🍽 Main courses and afternoon tea, menu here.
👉 Book here.
📌 Bowburn, Durham, DH6 5NH
🍽 Daily specials, afternoon teas and Sunday lunch, more info here.
👉 No booking required, check latest updates here.
Broom House Farm
📌 Near Witton Gilbert, Durham, DH7 6TR
🍽 Breakfast, lunch, coffee & cakes, menu here
👦 Large playfield adjacent to coffee shop with slide, dens, fort, maze, sand pit and hay bales. Forest Adventure treetop walk available to book on selected dates here.
👉 No booking needed for cafe/playfield.
📌 Leybourne Hold, Birtley, Chester-le-Street, DH3 1QF
🍽 Pub classics, kids slushes and cocktail slushes.
👉 No booking required, check latest updates here.
📌 Mill Lane, Hebburn, South Tyneside, NE31 2EY
🍽 Favourite pub classics, menu here.
👉 Book here.
📌 Grange Villa Community Centre, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, DH2 3LN
🍽 Drinks and sweet treats, menu here.
👦 Outdoor play area, indoor role play village, baby & toddler classes, breastfeeding support group, sensory snug and special events.
👉 Book a play session here.
📌 East Fellgate Farm, Jarrow, South Tyneside, NE10 8YD
🍽 Gastro food.
👉 3 covered areas available to book (call 0191 428 3030), plus a huge garden open to walk ins.
The Meadows Coffee Shop
📌 Rainton Meadows, Chilton Moor, Houghton le Spring, Sunderland, DH4 6PU
🍽 Hot drinks, cakes, light breakfast & lunch. Takeaway afternoon tea by pre-order.
👦 Adjacent to WildPlay enclosed outdoor play area, and located within Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve with walking trails, lake and family friendly special events.
👉 No booking needed.
Moorhouse Farm Shop & Coffee Shop
📌 21 Station Road, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 6DX
🍽 Lunch, hot drinks and treats, initially limited to a takeaway menu.
👉 No booking needed.
📌 Philadelphia Lane, Houghton le Spring, Sunderland, DH4 4JG
🍽 Pub classics (menu coming soon to Sunderland Eats).
👉 Message here to book.
📌 Market Lane, Whickham, Gateshead, NE16 4TJ
🍽 Pub classics, menu here.
👉 Book here.
Porky’s
📌 168 Kells Lane, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 5HY
🍽 Wood fired meats & pizza, menu here.
👦 Small enclosed outdoor play area.
👉 Call 0191 482 6494 or book online here.
Story Book
📌 Boldon Leisure Park, Abingdon Way, Boldon Colliery, Sunderland, NE35 9PB
🍽 Pub classics and fresh daily carvery, menu here.
👦 Small enclosed outdoor play area, and indoor softy play open.
👉 Book here.
Red Lion
📌 Great North Road, Plawsworth, Durham, DH2 3NL
🍽 Wood fired pizza and pub classics, menu here.
👦 Brand new outdoor play area from April 2021.
👉 Book on 0191 3710 253.
📌 Hatherley Lane, High Horton, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4HF
🍽 Pub classics and afternoon tea, menu here.
👉 Book here or call 01670 822 410 / 07561 020 709 / 07784 285 267.
Travellers Rest
📌 Travellers Rest, Slaley, Northumberland, NE46 1TT
🍽 Pub favourites, menu here.
👦 Spacious outdoor play area with countryside views.
👉 Call 01434 673 231 to book.
Wearside Farm, Farmhouse Inns
📌 Turbine Way, Sunderland, SR5 3NZ
🍽 Pub favourites and daily carvery, menu here.
👦 Outdoor play area and indoor play.
👉 Book here.
Wheatsheaf Farm, Farmhouse Inns
📌 Callerton Lane End, Woolsington, Newcastle, NE13 8DF
🍽 Pub favourites and daily carvery, menu here.
👦 Outdoor play area and indoor play.
👉 Book here.
📌 Wheelbirks Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7HY
🍽 Homemade pies, Jersey ice cream, smoothies and milkshakes. Menu here.
👉 No booking needed, look out for special family events here.
📌 Gateshead Road, Sunniside, Gateshead, NE16 5LG
🍽 Drinks and cakes
👦 Gardens with pond, playhouse, toddler swing and hidden animals
👉No booking needed.
There’s plenty on Gateshead Mumbler to help keep little ones (and big ones!) busy, with our Days Out ‘Top 10s’ with handy map, Baby to Pre-school Classes in Gateshead, Afternoon Tea Deliveries & lots more!
If you’d like to keep up to date when new resources are added, please click here and like the Gateshead Mumbler Facebook page 🙂
