
PUBS WITH PLAY AREAS
Dorset has some great family friendly pubs offering a variety of children's menus, activity packs for the tables and highchairs however the one thing on a lovely sunny day that a family loves the most is a secure safe garden with a play frame or toys to keep the children entertained and happy while you have the rare opportunity to relax.
You'll find some pubs and restaurants in Dorset and the New Forest below which have been recommended by local families.
SOUTH EAST DORSET
This family run pub serves delicious homemade food at a good price and welcome children and dogs. The new play area at The Old Thatch has a fun climbing frame and kids colouring area. Step inside this 17th Century thatched pub and you’ll find a children’s menu with a variety of options and colouring kits to keep them happy while they wait.
The Old Thatch, 285 Wimborne Road, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 7NW
Website: The Old Thatch
THE YACHTSMAN poole
Children will love this family friendly and welcoming pub which has a large play area with a wooden play area. Excellent food is served with children's meals on offer and activity packs to keep them occupied.
The Yachtsman, Lake Road, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4LW
Website: The Yachtsman
THE ACORN poole
Family friendly pub offering great value classic meals. Outside in the beer garden is a large wooden playframe with swings and slide.
The Acorn, Northmead Drive, Creekmoor, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7XZ
Facebook: The Acorn
This family friendly pub sits next to Sandford Holiday Park and has an enclosed wooden play area for children plus a delicious children's menu.
Please note the pub closes mid afternoon and re-opens for dinner late afternoon.
The Claypipe Inn, Organford Road, Holton Heath, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6JY
Facebook: The Claypipe Inn
The Dorset Soldier Pub is situated in the heart of Corfe Mullen and has a reputation on being a good honest and traditional pub. They offer a varied menu with children's meals and an adventure play area in the garden which includes a wooden play frame with slides and a bridge.
The Dorset Soldier, 117 Wareham Road, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, BH21 3JZ
Website: The Dorset Soldier
Ideally situated for those exploring the Dorset countryside this pub prides themselves on good pub food and has a large garden with a children’s play area too.
The Horns Inn, Burts Hill, Colehill, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 7AA
Website: The Horns Inn

Family friendly pub in Walkford with a very good reputation for excellent food. There is also a lovely beer garden and play area for the children.
The Walkford, 16 Walkford Road, Walkford, Christchurch BH23 5QF
Website: The Walkford
AVON CAUSEWAY hurn
The Avon Causeway is a traditional pub, built in the 19th century as a conversion of the Hurn Railway station. Seasonal food and a dedicated children’s menu is served and outside you’ll find The Pullman Tain carriage which is used for special events, beer garden and children’s play area.
The Avon Causeway, Hurn, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6AS
Website: Avon Causeway
NORTH & RURAL DORSET
The Royal Oak has a large wooden play frame at the bottom of the spacious garden and serves a variety of meals on the children's menu.
The Royal Oak, Dorchester Hill, Milborne St Andrew, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0JG
Website: The Royal Oak
Family friendly pub with large outdoor play area and a smaller indoor area for the children.
The Woodman Pub, 246 Ringwood Rd, St Leonards, Ringwood, BH24 2SB
Website: Woodman Pub
The Langton Arms has a huge garden and wonderful play area plus children’s meals and an original skittle alley which is great for parties.
The Langton Arms, Tarrant Monkton, Blandford, Dorset, DT11 8RX
Website: The Langton Arms
Lovely pub with a recently refurbished outdoor area. There is a small play frame for children to enjoy with a larger section being installed in the near future.
Tap and Railway, 195 Station Rd, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 0HX
Website: Tap and Railway
The play park at The World’s End pub is set just off a huge patio dining terrace in a couple of acres of meadow with lots of green space for the children to run around in. The pub has colouring and a children’s menu, and is fully dog friendly throughout.
The World's End, Almer, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 9EW
Website: The World’s End
PURBECK AREA
The Crows Nest is a family friendly pub in the heart of Swanage with a large wooden play frame with slide in the garden. The owners have children themselves which is why they pride themselves on serving fresh children’s meals.
The Crows Nest Inn, 11 Ulwell Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1LE
Website: The Crows Nest Inn
The Halfway Inn is a beautiful thatched 16th Century Pub with a lovely garden and small enclosed children's play area.
The varied menu offers children's meals plus colouring in pictures and pencils to keep the children entertained.
The Halfway Inn, Norden, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5DU
Website: The Halfway Inn
The new owners of the Sandford Pub have doubled the size of the main play area in the garden as well as giving Pets Corner a complete new face lift. Children can enjoy a home cooked meal from the children's menu and a colouring in book and crayons will keep them busy while waiting for food.
The Sandford, Wareham Road, Sandford, Nr Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7AE
Website: The Sandford

BLACK DOG INN east stoke
A family run pub where children and dogs are welcome. Traditional pub with menu serving classic dishes and a safe outdoor area for the children to play.
Black Dog Inn, Stokeford, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6AN
Facebook: Black Dog Inn
The Seven Stars is renowed for their good food and great service. The outdoor play area sits in a large garden with swings, a play frame and slides. The extensive menu has a large choice of main meals plus a good selection of children's meals.
Seven Stars, East Burton Road, Moreton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8RL
Website: Seven Stars
WEST DORSET
The Lodmoor is a great family friendly Brewers Fayre Pub situated by the Weymouth Sealife Adventure Park and Sandworld. The indoor themed soft play is a fantastic size for children of all ages and even has a TV area and little tykes cars. They offer a wide variety of children's meals and even have tables within the soft play so you won't have bored children before and after the meal.
Please note that there is an admission charge for the soft play.
The Lodmoor, Preston Beach Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7SX
Website: The Lodmoor
The Black Dog is a very family friendly pub with a children’s menu and huge fun play area in the garden which is sure to keep the kids entertained for a long time.
The Black Dog, 50 Main Street, Broadmayne, Dorset, DT2 8ES
Website: The Black Dog
This family friendly pub has a good sized outdoor dining area plus climbing frame and swing slide. A varied kids meal is offered with children being able to choose their favourite combo.
Famous Old Spa, 229 Dorchester Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 5EQ
Website: Famous Old Spa
The George is a family run and child friendly pub in the heart of the Jurassic Coast. In addition to a children’s menu on offer there is also a spacious outdoor area with seating, children’s play area and animal corner.
The George Inn, The Street, Charmouth, Dorset, DT6 6PE
Website: The George
The Springhead has a beautiful location by the River Jordan with ducks swimming happily on the millpond. The restaurant chef uses good quality fresh food from local suppliers and takes pride in their homemade dishes. In the garden you will find a 2 wooden play areas with climbing frames and slides.
The Springhead, Sutton Poyntz, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 6LW
Website: The Springhead
At certain times of the year you can visit Martin's Bar and Restaurant and young children can play in the Little Fire Engine Soft Play (entry charges apply). In addition to this there is also an outdoor play area for older children.
Highlands End Holiday Park, Eype, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 6AR
Website: Highlands End Holiday Park
The Trumpet Major has a lovely large garden with wooden play equipment, slides and a climbing frame. They also serve a 'Little Monster Menu' with a large variety of children's meals.
Trumpet Major, Alington Avenue, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2AB
Website: Trumpet Major
FRAMPTON ARMS moreton
The Frampton Arms is a delightful country pub with an enclosed orchard garden with climbing frame, slides, swings and animal corner.
Frampton Arms, Moreton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8BB
Website: Frampton Arms
NEW FOREST PUBS
THE ALICE LISLE ringwood
Family friendly rural inn with wonderful views, a heated terrace, a menu of modern English classics, large garden and an enclosed play area.
The Alice Lisle, Rockford Green, Rockford, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 3NA
Website: The Alice Lisle
THE DRIFT beaulieu
Found right in the heart of the New Forest between Beaulieu and Lyndhurst, The Drift has a relaxed and rustic vibe, log fires, large garden and play area.
The Drift, Beaulieu Road, Beaulieu, Hampshire, SO42 7YQ
Website: The Drift
THE WHITE HART cadnam
Traditional pub with oak floors, antique furniture, extensive children’s menu, large garden and play area for the children.
The White Hart, Old Romsey Road, Cadnam, Hampshire, SO40 2NP
Website: The White Hart
THE PLOUGH INN tiptoe
The 16th century building located at Tiptoe in Lymington is full of charm and character. Inside you’ll find the bar, restaurant and sports area with darts board and pool table while a beer garden and play area can be found outside.
The Plough Inn, Sway Road, Tiptoe, Hordle, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 6FQ
Website: The Plough Inn
HARE AND HOUNDS sway
The Hare and Hounds is a 200 year old coaching inn with a spacious lounge bar, restaurant with varied menu, beer garden and large play frame with slide.
Hare and Hounds, Durnstown, Sway, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 6AL
Website: Hare and Hounds
THE RISING SUN new milton
At the Rising Sun you’ll find traditional pub food and a children’s menu, large beer garden and a wonderful children’s play area which will keep them amused for hours.
The Rising Sun, Bashley Common Road, New Milton, Hampshire, BH25 5SF
Website: The Rising Sun
HIGH CORNER INN ringwood
The High Corner Inn is a charming 17th century country pub in the New Forest. The pub is very dog and child friendly and the large beer garden has a wooden play frame for children to enjoy.
High Corner Inn, Linwood, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 3QY
Website: High Corner Inn
Please note: The High Corner Inn is currently closed for refurbishment and plan to re-open in June 2023.

Dorsetmums has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this site and does not accept liability for any errors or omission. Please also note that a Pub/Restaurant may close at any time and you should consider contacting beforehand.