There are plenty of great family-friendly pubs, restaurants and cafes in the North East, and when the sun is shining thereβs nothing nicer than finding somewhere with an outdoor play area so little ones and grown ups can both relax and have fun.
Thereβs a handy A-Z below of fab places with play areas for toddlers and older kids, along with a map to help plan your days out.
If you have any recommendations to add to the list, please do get in touch hereπ
Details are subject to change, please check the latest updates & booking requirements directly with individual establishments. Photos are for illustrative purposes only, there may be changes to play facilities and menus.
π Red Row, Beamish, Stanley, Durham, DH9 0RW
π½ Main courses and afternoon tea, menu here.
π Bowburn, Durham, DH6 5NH
π½ Daily specials, afternoon teas and Sunday lunch, more info here.
Broom House Farm
π Near Witton Gilbert, Durham, DH7 6TR
π½ Breakfast, lunch, coffee & cakes, menu here.
π Large playfield adjacent to coffee shop with slide, dens, fort, maze, sand pit and hay bales. Forest Adventure walk available to book on selected dates here.
π Leybourne Hold, Birtley, Chester-le-Street, DH3 1QF
π½ Pub classics, kids slushes and cocktail slushes. Menu here.
π Look out for regular family-friendly events and bouncy castle days! Dog friendly too.
π Mill Lane, Hebburn, South Tyneside, NE31 2EY
π½ Favourite pub classics, menu here.
The Forage Community Coffee House
π Barmston Village Centre, Washington, Sunderland, NE38 8JA
π½ Snacks and treats, menu here.
π A not-for-profit play cafe with a large secure outdoor area with toddler slides, pirate ship, ride-on toys, playhouse and wooden train, plus a small indoor play area with baby and toddler toys.
π Woodstone Village, Houghton le Spring, Sunderland, DH4 6BQ
π½ Pub classics, menu here.
π East Fellgate Farm, Jarrow, South Tyneside, NE10 8YD
π½ Gastro food, menu here.
The Meadows Coffee Shop
π Rainton Meadows, Chilton Moor, Houghton le Spring, Sunderland, DH4 6PU
π½ Hot drinks, cakes, light breakfast & lunch.
π Adjacent to the WildPlay enclosed outdoor play area, great for younger children and located within Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve with walking trails, lake and family-friendly events.
Moorhouse Farm Shop & Coffee Shop
π 21 Station Road, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 6DX
π½ Breakfasts, snacks and main meals, using ingredients from the farm and other local growers, more info here.
π Market Lane, Whickham, Gateshead, NE16 4TJ
π½ Pub classics, menu here.
Porkyβs
π 168 Kells Lane, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 5HY
π½ Restaurant serving wood fired meats & pizza, menu here.
π Small enclosed outdoor play area.
Red Lion
π Great North Road, Plawsworth, Durham, DH2 3NL
π½ Wood fired pizza and pub classics, menu here.
π Outdoor play area.
π Ryton, Gateshead, NE40 3HJ
π½ Traditional pub with gastro menu. Menu here.
π Washington Road, Sunderland, SR5 3HZ
π½ Traditional village inn with local brews and restaurant serving Italian dishes. Menu here.
π Beamish, Stanley, Co Durham DH9 0RS
π½ Traditional country pub restaurant. Menu here.
Story Book (Greene King)
π Boldon Leisure Park, Abingdon Way, Boldon Colliery, Sunderland, NE35 9PB
π½ Pub classics and fresh daily carvery, menu here.
π Small enclosed outdoor play area, plus indoor soft play.
π Hatherley Lane, High Horton, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 4HF
π½ Pub classics and afternoon tea, menu here.
π Travellers Rest, Slaley, Northumberland, NE46 1TT
π½ Pub favourites, menu here.
Wearside Farm (Farmhouse Inns)
π Turbine Way, Sunderland, SR5 3NZ
π½ Pub favourites and daily carvery, menu here.
π Outdoor play area and indoor play space.
Wheatsheaf Farm (Farmhouse Inns)
π Callerton Lane End, Woolsington, Newcastle, NE13 8DF
π½ Pub favourites and daily carvery, menu here.
π Outdoor play area and indoor play space.
The Wheatsheaf Inn β Nonna Mafaldaβs Kitchen
π Durham Road, Chester-le-Street, DH3 2AB
π½ Pub/restaurant serving fresh, homemade English and Italian cuisine. Menus here.
π Large enclosed garden with seating and play frame.
π Wheelbirks Farm, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7HY
π½ Homemade pies, Jersey ice cream, smoothies and milkshakes. Menu here.
π Gateshead Road, Sunniside, Gateshead, NE16 5LG
π½ Drinks, cakes and snacks.
You can also find some fab Play Cafes here with bookable sessions, which in addition to indoors areas also have lovely outside play areas especially suited to younger children, such as:
π Bee Happy Play Cafe CIC, Peterlee, Co Durham
π Dream Big Role Play Centre, Chester-le-Street, Co Durham
π Pineapple and Bears Play Hub, Blaydon, Gateshead
π The Owl Tree Childrenβs CafΓ©, Gosforth, Newcastle
Thereβs plenty on Gateshead Mumbler to help keep little ones (and big ones!) busy, check here for more ideas and info for playgroups, classes and fun days out from tots to teens!
If youβd like to keep up to date when new resources are added, please click here and like the Gateshead Mumbler Facebook pageπ