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Essex Parks

30+ Family Friendly Pubs with Play Areas in Essex

Are you looking for the perfect spot to enjoy a pint while the kids have a blast playing nearby? We've got you covered! Welcome to the Parks of Essex Guide to family friendly pubs with beer gardens play areas! The perfect day out in Essex for the whole family.


Essex Pubs with Play Areas

From pub snacks to Sunday roasts, these pubs serve some of the best pub food in Essex! Make sure you visit their pages for all of the up to date information.


Whether you're a local resident or visiting for the summer holidays, these kid-friendly establishments are sure to make your day out memorable.




When it comes to finding the best pubs in Essex with play areas, you'll be spoiled for choice. From traditional countryside pubs to modern pubs, each venue has its unique charm and offerings that cater to families looking to enjoy quality time together.


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This guide also features pubs with indoor play. Pubs with soft play will be highlighted 'SOFT PLAY'.


Pubs with Play Areas in Billericay


The White Horse - Heath Road, Ramsden Heath CM11 1NA

The White Horse in Billericay has one of the biggest pub gardens in Essex. There is a brilliant, huge kids playground at The White Horse which was recently updated in May 2024. The highlight of the play area is the large, connected climbing frame with several sides and climbs. This was the Most Recommended Pub with Play Area in Essex by the Parks of Essex readers!


The White Horse Billericay
Photo Credit: The White Horse Billericay


The Olde Dog Inn - Billericay Road, Herongate, Ingrave, Tye, CM13 3SD

The Olde Dog Inn Freehouse has a beer garden with children’s play area, an outdoor bar and great food options. You can also catch live music performances! The outdoor bar is open weekends (weather depending) from late May – September.



Pubs with Play Areas in Rochford


Victory Inn - Rochford, SS4 3EU

The play area at the Victory Inn is a decent size! On one side of the pub garden is a large slide and climbing apparatus. The other side has two seesaws, a smaller slide and swings. There is also a large TV in the pub garden, close to the entrance to the pub, showing sport. There is a reasonably priced menu, including a kids menu.




Pubs with Play Areas in Mersea Island


Victory at Mersea - 92 Coast Road, Mersea Island, Colchester, CO5 8LS

The Victory is a great family friendly hotel and pub located on Mersea Island. The pub serves food and there is a good sized play area in the pub garden. There are also beautiful sea views from the pub garden.



The Victory at Mersea Play Area
The Victory at Mersea Play Area

Pubs with Play Areas in Colchester


The Wooden Fender - Colchester Road, Ardleigh, Colchester, CO7 7PA

The Wooden Fenderin Ardleigh has a spacious garden for alfresco dining and a play area to keep the children entertained. There is a kids menu with meals from £9.95.


The Kings Arms - Main Road, Frating, Colchester CO7 7DJ

This Country Pub is situated on the Main Road between Clacton, Colchester, Brightlingsea  & Tendring. This cosy pub has a real wood burning fire making the bar snug in the winter. In the summer there is a beer garden with great children’s play area.


The Half Butt Inn - Nayland Road, Great Horkesley, CO6 4ET

The Half Butt in Great Horkesley has a large fully enclosed beer garden with children's play equipment. There is a kids menu with meals from £6


The Rovers Tye - Ipswich Rd, Highwoods, Colchester CO4 9BA

The Rovers Tye is full of character and charm with traditional with authentic oak floors. This Greene King family friendly pub has an outdoor play area.


The Swan Inn - 285 London Rd, Stanway, Copford, Colchester CO3 8LU

The Swan Inn is a Hungry Horse Pub with a play area. The Swan Inn has a beer garden, outdoor play area and good value family meals.


The Berechurch Arms - 177 Shrub End Rd, Colchester CO3 4RG

The Berechruch Arms is a family favourite. There is an outdoor play area, beer garden and the pub regularly has a boucey castle on weekends (weather permitting)!



Pubs with Play Areas in Clacton-on-Sea


Smugglers Cove - Hartley Brook Road, Clacton-On-Sea, CO15 3TP

This family friendly pub is located in Clacton-on-Sea. The pub serves a daily carvey. There is a beer garden and childrens play area.


Smugglers Cove Clacton-on-Sea
Photo Credit: Smugglers Cove

Pubs with Play Areas in Braintree


Mulberry Tree - Braintree Bypass, Braintree, CM77 8GG

The Mulberry Tree is a Brewers Fayre pub. There is an Indoor Play.kids zone with a softplay. The Indoor Play is open every day between 12pm - 7pm. 90 minute sessions cost £4.50, children under 1 free.

SOFT PLAY


Pubs with Play Areas Maldon


Black Rabbit - 188 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5BX

The Black Rabbit in Maldon states it has "the biggest beer garden in Maldon!". There is also a brilliant playroom especially for kids under 4 years old. The play room at Black Rabbit is open until 7pm every day.

SOFT PLAY


This pub is a short walk from Promenade Park in Maldon



Pubs with Play Areas in South Ockendon


Sir Henrys - Romford Road, Aveley, South Ockendon, RM15 4XB

There is a large beer garden at Sir Henrys in South Ockendon. There is also a children's play area in the beer garden. There is a kids menu with meals from £5.95.



Pubs with Play Areas in Grays


The Bull, - 98 Dock Rd, Grays, RM17 6EY

The Bull has a large family friendly beer garden . There is a children's play area in the pub garden. There are also booths (including children's booths) available for hire.


Play Area at The Bull Pub, Grays
Photo Credit: The Bull

Chafford Hundred - Fleming Road, Unicorn Estate, Chafford Hundred, Grays, RM16 6YJ

Chafford Hundred is a Brewers Fayre pub. There is an Indoor Play.kids zone with a softplay. The Indoor Play is open every day between 12pm - 7pm. 90 minute sessions cost £4.50, children under 1 free.

SOFT PLAY



Pubs with Play Areas in Chelsmford


The Three Horseshoes - 3 Burnham Road, Althorne, Chelmsfod, CM3 6DP

There is a large beer garden at The Three Hoseshoes. There is a children's play area, outside seating and disabled access.

The Great Baddow Barn - Galleywood Road, Chelmsford CM2 8NB

The Great Baddow Barn is a Hungry Horse Pub with an outdoor play area. Expect good value family meal!


The Anchor Danbury - Runsell Green, Danbury, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 4QZ

The Anchor in Danbury is a tradition English Country Pub. The large gardenalso has a children's play area.


Photo Credit: The Anchor Danbury Play Area
Photo Credit: The Anchor Danbury


Galvin Green Man - Main Road, Howe Street, Chelmsford, Essex CM3 1BG

The Galvin Green Man serves an exceptional seasonal menu. There is a beautiful garden with children’s play area as well as bespoke private dining rooms. The utdoor terrace is the perfect spot for al fresco dining during the warmer months.


Pubs with Play Areas in Brentwood


The Bull - 13 Brook Street, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5LZ

The Bull in Brentwood has a great pub garden for al fresco drinks and snacks. There is alaso a great play area at The Bull Brentwood. There are swings, a slide and playhouse. The Bull in Brentwood has a kids menu. 1 course £10, 2 courses £13 and 3 courses £15.


The Brave Nelson - 138 Woodman Road, Warley, Brentwood, Essex, CM14 5AL

A friendly, welcoming pub, with great beers with fantastic outside seating and a children’s play area. Dogs are of course welcome too.





Pubs with Play Areas in Basildon


The Noak Bridge - 45 Wash Rd, Laindon, Basildon SS15 4BS

The Noak Bridge is a great local pub. This Greene King family friendly pub has an outdoor play area.


Pubs with Play Areas in Southend


The Saxon King - 160 Priory Crescent, Southend, Essex, SS2 6QN

The Saxon King has an outdoor children’s play area and an indoor play zone. This Marston's Inns pub serves pub classics.

SOFT PLAY


The Castle Inn - 181 Little Wakering Road, Little Wakering, Essex, SS3 0JW

The Castle Inn is one of the oldest pubs in the area dating back to the 17th century. The Castle Inn is light and spacious inside, with plenty of outdoor space and a small play area.


The Rose Inn - Wakering Roadd, Great Wakering, Southend-on-Sea, SS3 0PY

The Rose Inn in Great Wakering describes itself as a 'bit of a hidden gem'. This Greene King pub can be found in the picturesque village of Great Wakering. The Rose Inn serves great Sunday roasts and has outdoor play area for the kids.



Pubs with Play Areas in Wickford


The DIck Turpin - Arterial Road, Wickford, Essex, SS12 9HZ

That pub on the side of the A127! The Dick Turpin has lots of parking, a large beer garden and a Wacky Warehouse indoor play area for the little ones.

SOFT PLAY



Pubs with Play Areas in Bishops Stortford/Stansted


Three Willows Birchanger - 327 Birchanger Ln, Birchanger, Bishop's Stortford CM23 5QR

There is a great beer garden at The Three Willows with a children's play area. This pub is also located close to Stansted Airport.


The Rose and Crown - 31 Bentfield Green, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 8HX

The garden at The Rose and Crown is great! There is plenty of undercover seating, kids play area, as well as heated areas on chilly evenings


The Ash - Bury Lodge Lane, Burton End, Stansted, Essex, CM24 8UQ

The Ash is a truly beautiful pub with a cosy woodburner. There is a great beer garden with play area.



Pubs with Play Areas in Loughton


The Kings Oak - Paul's Nursery Road, Waltham Abbey, Loughton IG10 4AE

The Kings Oak High Beach sits in the southern section of the glorious Epping Forest, close to the city of London and Hertfordshire borders. This Essex pub has a large garden also has a safe and secure play area.



Pubs with Play Areas in Epping


The Theydon Oak - 9 Coopersale St, Coopersale, Epping CM16 7QJ

The Theydon Oak is a great child friendly pub! There is a kids' play area and patio.




Making the Most of Your Visit

When planning a day out at one of Essex's best pubs with play areas, here are a few tips to ensure a memorable experience:

  • Check the Opening Hours: Verify the pub's operating hours and any specific play area guidelines before your visit.

  • Plan Ahead: Consider making a reservation, especially during peak times, to secure a table and ensure a hassle-free dining experience.

  • Pack Essentials: Come prepared with items like sunscreen, hats, and water bottles to keep everyone comfortable during outdoor play.



Whether you're enjoying a leisurely Sunday lunch or celebrating a special occasion, these family-friendly establishments provide the perfect setting for a fun-filled day out. So, gather your favorite people, head to one of Essex's kid-friendly pubs, and enjoy summer!




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