Thanks to our writer Gaia for this post. Information & prices were last checked in January 2023 and are subject to change. Please always check with venues direct for the most up to date info when making plans.
We’ve rounded up the pubs in the North East with indoor soft play so that you can enjoy your Sunday roast while the kids can have fun burning off some energy! Some have small play areas, some have massive full-blown soft plays attached to them.
Most are part of chains like Brewer’s Fayre and Farmhouse Inns, which often have special offers, events and membership schemes so it’s worth checking out their websites before you go to see what they have on.
Here is our list, if you know of any that aren’t on here let us know in the comments or on Facebook!
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The Keel Row, Seaton Delaval
This cosy family-owned pub serves up home cooked food and a warm welcome with a small indoor play area to keep the kids entertained while you eat as well as an outdoor area.
Is there a charge for soft play? No.
Kids meal prices
Kids meals are £3.95 and include traditional meals like spaghetti bolognaise, fish fingers and chips and sausages and mash. Kids can also make their own pizza for £4.95.
Website: Welcome to The Keel Row-Pub and Dining-2023
Kids menu: Welcome to The Keel Row-Pub and Dining-2023
Top Tip - The Keel Row is not too far from Northumberlandia, Seaton Delaval Hall & Plessey Woods if you fancy a walk first.
The Forest Bar & Kitchen, Kielder Waterside
There is a free small-ish soft play for under 6s inside the pub at Kielder Waterside. Residents and non-residents are free to use the facilities when making a purchase from the bar. There are also bouncy pillows outside and a fantastic outdoor playground across from the pub. Is there a charge for soft play? No - it's free with any purchase from the bar
Website: https://www.kielderwaterside.com/while-you-are-here/food-and-drink/the-forest-bar-kitchen/
Outdoor play area at Kielder Waterside |
Willow Farm Cramlington (Farmhouse Inns)
July 2023 update - limited play area. Please check with venue direct for the most up to date info.
This carvery pub has a large indoor play area suitable for under 5’s and holds regular events like cinema nights and breakfast with Santa. They have plenty of options for those with intolerances (including a full gluten free menu) and their cake cabinet is always full of tasty looking treats.
Is there a charge for soft play? No, suitable for under 5’s.
Kids meal prices
Starters are £1.49 each and include garlic bread fingers, chicken wings, tortilla chips and dip or veggie sticks
Small meals cost £3.79 and include things like cheese & tomato pizza, tomato pasta, sausages and gravy, chicken nuggets and come with a veggie and a side.
Large meals are £4.99 and include things like macaroni cheese, loaded chicken tortillas, fish & chips or a plant based burger and all come with a choice of veg and side.
Junior kids carvery meals are £5.49 for a weekday and include a free pudding (scoop of icecream, frozen yoghurt, sorbet or fruit pot).
Website: Welcome to Willow Farm in Cramlington | Farmhouse Inns
Kids menu: Willow Farm Menus (farmhouseinns.co.uk)
Top Tip: Willow Farm is in Cramlington so you could combine with bowling/clip n climb/swimming at Concordia or a film at Vue.
Wheatsheaf Farm Woolsington (Farmhouse Inns)
This pub is part of the Farmhouse Inns Group so has the same menu as Willow Farm and is a good value place to pop into for food with the kids. As well as all the usual pub favourites they have a gluten-free menu and plenty of vegan options too.
Is there a charge for soft play? No, suitable for under 5’s.
Kids meal prices
Starters are £1.49 each and include garlic bread fingers, chicken wings, tortilla chips and dip or veggie sticks.
Small meals cost £3.79 and include things like cheese & tomato pizza, tomato pasta, sausages and gravy, chicken nuggets and come with a veggie and a side.
Large meals are £4.99 and include things like macaroni cheese, loaded chicken tortillas, fish & chips or a plant based burger and all come with a choice of veg and side.
Junior kids carvery meals are £5.49 for a weekday and include a free pudding (scoop of icecream, frozen yoghurt, sorbet or fruit pot).
Website: Welcome to Wheatsheaf in Woolsington | Farmhouse Inns
Kids menu: Wheatsheaf Farm Menus (farmhouseinns.co.uk)
Valley Farm Team Valley (Farmhouse Inns)
This pub is on Team Valley so you could pop in after a shopping trip at Retail World. As well as all the usual pub favourites they have a gluten-free menu and plenty of vegan options too.
Is there a charge for soft play? No.
Kids meal prices
Starters are £1.49 each and include garlic bread fingers, chicken wings, tortilla chips and dip or veggie sticks
Small meals cost £3.79 and include things like cheese & tomato pizza, tomato pasta, sausages and gravy, chicken nuggets and come with a veggie and a side.
Large meals are £4.99 and include things like macaroni cheese, loaded chicken tortillas, fish & chips or a plant based burger and all come with a choice of veg and side.
Junior kids carvery meals are £5.49 for a weekday and include a free pudding (scoop of icecream, frozen yoghurt, sorbet or fruit pot).
Menu: Welcome to Valley Farm in Gateshead | Farmhouse Inns
Kids menu: Valley Farm Menus (farmhouseinns.co.uk)
Royal Quays North Shields (Brewers Fayre)
Credit Brewers Fayre (photo is not location specific)
This Brewer’s Fayre is right next to Royal Quays shopping outlet and Inflatanation, you could pop in for breakfast or lunch while the kids let off some steam in the indoor soft play after a visit to either.
Deals include the all you can eat adults breakfast comes with unlimited hot drinks and includes up to 2 free kids breakfasts!
Is there a charge for soft play? No
Kids meal prices
A three course meal deal is £4.99.
Starters include garlic bread, tortilla chips and dip or veggie sticks.
Mains include pizza, pasta, steak & chips, popcorn chicken and fish and there are lots of sides and veg to choose from.
Puddings include brownie, pancakes and a strawberry ice cream sundae.
Website: Royal Quays Brewers Fayre Pub Restaurant in North Shields, Tyne and Wear
Kids menu: brewers_fayre_kids_menu_priceless.pdf (brewersfayre.co.uk)
Derwent Crossing Swalwell (Brewer’s Fayre)
This Brewer’s Fayre has a large soft play and serves all the usual favourites you’d expect from a Brewer’s Fayre. This pub is ideal to visit after a trip to the Metrocentre as it's just around the corner.
Is there a charge for soft play? Yes, £3.50 for 90 minutes (for children under 145cm, kids under 90cm play free)
Kids meal prices
A three course meal deal is £4.99.
Starters include garlic bread, tortilla chips and dip or veggie sticks.
Mains include pizza, pasta, steak & chips, popcorn chicken and fish and there are lots of sides and veg to choose from.
Puddings include brownie, pancakes and a strawberry ice cream sundae.
Website: Derwent Crossing Brewers Fayre Pub Restaurant in Swalwell, Gateshead
Kids menu: brewers_fayre_kids_menu_priceless.pdf (brewersfayre.co.uk)
The Cinder Path South Shields (Brewer’s Fayre)
July 2023 - closed. Please check with venues for updates.
This Brewer’s Fayre has a large soft play and serves all the usual pub grub favourites you’d expect. You could combine a meal here with a trip to South Shields beach and amusements.
Is there a charge for soft play? Yes, £3.50 for 90 minutes (for children under 145cm, kids under 90cm play free)
Kids meal prices
A three course meal deal is £4.99.
Starters include garlic bread, tortilla chips and dip or veggie sticks.
Mains include pizza, pasta, steak & chips, popcorn chicken and fish and there are lots of sides and veg to choose from.
Puddings include brownie, pancakes and a strawberry ice cream sundae.
Website: The Cinder Path Brewers Fayre Pub Restaurant in South Shields, Tyne and Wear
Kids menu: brewers_fayre_kids_menu_priceless.pdf (brewersfayre.co.uk)
Woodhorn Grange (Cookhouse + Pub)
This pub is on the edge of Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Country Park and round the corner from the Woodhorn Museum. It has a small soft play suitable for under 8’s.
Is there a charge for soft play? No
Kids meal prices
Same menu as Brewer’s Fayre (they’re owned by the same company).
A three course meal deal is £4.99.
Starters include garlic bread, tortilla chips and dip or veggie sticks.
Mains include pizza, pasta, steak & chips, popcorn chicken and fish and there are lots of sides and veg to choose from.
Puddings include brownie, pancakes and a strawberry ice cream sundae.
Website: Woodhorn Grange Cookhouse + Pub restaurant in Ashington, Northumberland (cookhouseandpub.co.uk)
Kids menu: cookhouse_and_pub_kids_menu_default.pdf (cookhouseandpub.co.uk)
Story Book Boldon (Greene King)
This Greene King pub has a large Wacky Warehouse softplay. They have offers like hot drink & a slice of cake for £2.99 all day every day.
Is there a charge for soft play? Yes - £5 at weekends and 3pm – close weekdays. Tots Club is £4 9am – 3pm weekdays (term time only). Adults and babies under 12 months are free.
Kids meal prices
Starters are £0.99 - £1.49 each and include garlic bread fingers, chicken wings, tortilla chips and dip or veggie sticks
Small meals cost £3.49 and include things like quorn sausages, tomato pasta, beef burger, chicken nuggets and come with a veggie and a side of your choosing.
Large meals are £4.99 and include favourotes like omega-3 fish fingers, cheese and tomato pizzaand toad in the hole and all come with a choice of veg and side.
They have a build your own mania desert for £2.29 so you kids can design their ideal ice cream sundae, as well as chocolate brownie, fruit salad and scoops of icecream, all priced between £1.29 and £2.29
Wacky Warehouse: Discover Pubs with a Wacky Warehouse | Greene King Pubs (greeneking-pubs.co.uk)
Kids menu: The Story Book Pub & Carvery in Boldon | Greene King Pubs (greeneking-pubs.co.uk)
Merry Go Round Pub & Carvery Hartlepool (Greene King)
This Greene King pub has a large ‘Wacky Warehouse’ softplay. They have offers like hot drink & a slice of cake for £2.99 all day every day as well as having a full pub meal menu and carvery.
Is there a charge for soft play? Yes - £5 at weekends and 3pm – close weekdays. Tots Club is £4 9am – 3pm weekdays (term time only). Adults and babies under 12 months are free.
Kids meal prices
Starters are £0.99 - £1.49 each and include garlic bread fingers, chicken wings, tortilla chips and dip or veggie sticks
Small meals cost £3.49 and include things like quorn sausages, tomato pasta, beef burger, chicken nuggets and come with a veggie and a side of your choosing.
Large meals are £4.99 and include favourites like omega-3 fish fingers, cheese and tomato pizza and toad in the hole and all come with a choice of veg and side.
They have a build your own mania desert for £2.29 so you kids can design their ideal ice cream sundae, as well as chocolate brownie, fruit salad and scoops of ice cream, all priced between £1.29 and £2.29
Kids menu: Merry Go Round Pub Carvery Hartlepool | Greene King Pubs (greeneking-pubs.co.uk)
Wacky Warehouse: Discover Pubs with a Wacky Warehouse | Greene King Pubs (greeneking-pubs.co.uk)
Harvester Ryhope - 2024 update play area now closed
This Harvester has a large ‘Fuzzy Ed’s’ soft play, suitable for 0-12 years. It’s near the coast in Ryhope, Sunderland.
Is there a charge for soft play? Yes, £3
Kids meal prices
2 sides and a dessert for just £5.99 (smaller bites), £6.99 (bigger appetites) and £7.99 (Harvester recommends). Free unlimited salad with every meal.
Website: Harvester Sunderland • Ryhope Harvester | Book Today!
Kid menu: Half-term Harvester Menu | Kids eat from £3.99 with free salad
Horse & Jockey, Stockton on Tees (Sizzling Pubs)
Is there a charge for soft play? Yes, £3
This pub has a ‘Fuzzy Ed’s’ soft play and is close to Preston Park Museum and grounds and Butterfly World. Most play sessions include biscuits, unlimited Robinsons squash and they’ve got a tuck shop too.
Kids meal prices
Kids' Meal Deal offers a main, dessert and a drink for only £3.99 (under 5’s) or £4.99 (over 5’s) , available from 12pm every day.
KIDS EAT FOR £1!
When you visit between 3-7pm from Monday to Friday, you can get a kids’ main for just £1 with the purchase of an adult meal.
Website: Fuzzy Ed's Indoor Play Area Stockton-On-Tees | Horse & Jockey (sizzlingpubs.co.uk)
Kids menu: NEW Kid’s Menu at Horse & Jockey (sizzlingpubs.co.uk)
Other Options:
- Dobbies Garden Centres often have soft plays joined onto their cafe/restaurant and the food is usually pretty nice. Read more about visiting Dobbies here.
- Not quite a pub, but IKEA Gateshead offer FREE 45 minute supervised play sessions for children aged 3-10. Plenty of time for a coffee in the cafe in peace.
- There's a soft play at Pizza Dough Company in the Three Mile Gosforth
- There are lots of pubs with outdoor play areas too (more independent options here if you aren't keen on dining in a chain). Here is a list of pubs with outdoor play areas.
- PaddlePod in Whitley Bay has a lovely cafe serving local food and a high quality play area with toys for little ones
- Some soft plays actually serve nice food too. Check out our guide to North East Soft Plays here.
- Older kids? Why not try a gaming cafe. We like The Gaming Hideaway, Retro Bay Cafe, Arcade Warehouse and North East Retro Den
- McDonalds at Manor Walks Cramlington has a free soft play
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