Finding a pub that welcomes kids and offers a play area can be a challenge, especially during school holidays. Dad-of-two Alistair Duncan found a solution by creating an app that helps families locate pubs with playgrounds, making outings easier and more enjoyable.
Alistair, a TV producer from London, initially started by compiling suggestions from friends on a Google map featuring pubs and hotels with playgrounds. After his appendix burst, leaving him stuck at home, he used the downtime to develop the Pubs with Playgrounds app.
Now, the app boasts over 870 listings across the UK, including 49 venues in the West Midlands. It’s a community-driven platform where parents can add recommendations, reviews, and photos, creating a reliable resource that keeps growing.
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“Playgrounds do more than keep kids entertained,” Alistair explains. “They create a welcoming environment where children can make friends and parents can relax without worrying about disruptions. It changes the whole dynamic of dining out with children.”
The app, free to download on iPhone and Android, offers essential details such as baby-changing facilities, children’s menus, high chairs, parking options, beer gardens, and opening hours. Parents can save favorite spots and find unique features like indoor soft play, farm animals, and miniature railways.
Some top recommendations around Birmingham and the West Midlands include:
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Hopwood House, Alvechurch: A charming canalside pub with a spacious garden and dedicated children’s play area.
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The Beeches, Birmingham: Family-friendly with indoor soft play and outdoor play areas near Sandwell Valley Country Park.
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Fleur de Lys, Lowsonford: A Warwickshire country pub with acres of beer garden and enclosed wooden playground.
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The Manor Arms, Rushall: Historic pub featuring swings, slides, and climbing frames in its beer garden.
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The Nelson Inn, Burntwood: Family-run Staffordshire pub with extensive beer garden and children’s menu.
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Old House at Home, Harborne: Offers both indoor play facilities and an outdoor playground along with a carvery.
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The Three Horseshoes, Alveley: Country pub with large children’s play area and scenic countryside views.
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The Crown Inn, Stockton: Village pub with homemade food, real ales, and ample outdoor play space.
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The Broadway, Willenhall: Family-friendly carvery with indoor soft-play and outdoor play area.
Alistair’s idea stemmed from shared frustrations with finding suitable pubs for family outings. “Friends with young kids would share trusted pubs in WhatsApp chats, so pinning them on a map made sense. Turning the map into an app while I was recovering felt like a useful project.”
He emphasizes that the app is a work in progress and encourages parents and pubs alike to contribute and update listings to keep the community thriving. “I hope it encourages a culture where families feel welcome, making family-friendly social outings the norm,” he adds.
The app continues to expand, helping families nationwide find the perfect spots to relax and enjoy time together.