Can kids eat at a pub?

I don't know if this is a silly question, but what I want to know is whether kids are welcome to eat at a pub, say for lunch on a Saturday? We used to take DD in with us when she was 3 months old, but she barely made a peep so I didn't worry about it. I have no idea whether we would be welcome to eat at noontime with a 2 yo and a 5 yo.

I don't want to be presumptuous one way or the other. I would ask DH, but I don't know if he knows the rules either.

Thanks

Penny

If this is a silly question, then I'm silly, too.  I've been wondering the same thing. 

No answer, just a second to your request for clarification here!

All pubs I've been in have been very child-friendly. I wouldn't worry about it at all! Many have gardens, too, so in the summer you can eat outside and let the children run around.

It depends on the pub.

Those with a designated eating area usually allow children at mealtimes, while those without usually either don't allow children or do but not after 7pm (or similar).  It is always better to check though, especially with toddlers.

My favourite website in the whole world (after UKY!) is www.beerintheevening.com - you can look up what pubs near you allow children, which don't, and it has contacts numbers and other useful information, including customer reviews.

Vicky

during our first trip to England, we wanted nothing more than to sit in a pub and have a pub meal with the kids. Every single pub we walked into either didn't allow children at all, or had just stopped serving food 5 minutes before and therefore couldn't allow children.  We never did eat in a pub that trip..

Now, we know where to look.  They have to have a food licence and a no smoking section.  In our local, there is a smoking section and the kids are not allowed in there, but the rest of the pub and restaurant are non smoking so kids are allowed.  On school nights you'll see kids there doing homework while the parents are having their visiting time.  dogs too.  We have lots of dogs in our pub. 

Also as Chary said, lots have gardens.  Those are great and shows that they're family friendly. 

More and more pubs are going family friendly - some of the pubs that turned us away two years ago, now advertise as family friendly!

That's a great website, thanks! I can kind of tell when a pub is absolutely not child friendly... You know, the ones with that truck stop feel (morose atmosphere with mean, smoky old men!). I suppose if it looks and feels like a restaurant, I'll just ask. There was one near us in Urmston Manchester that was child friendly, but the food was nasty.

Thanks!