One of the charms of the Peak District are the old pubs and cosy cafes. They are the perfect place to retreat after a long bike ride or family hike in the hills, to warm up by the fire and enjoy a hearty meal. Indeed, you may have tried one of our Peak District pub walks.
But if you’ve got young kids in tow, it can be a big ask for them to stay seated whilst parents enjoy their meal, however many colouring and activity books you’re armed with. Having a play area just makes parenting life easier when eating out.
The majority of pubs and cafes in the Peak District are welcoming to families, and many have separate kids’ menus. But if you’re looking specifically looking for pubs with playgrounds in the Peak District or cafes with a play area, then read on…
We recommend pre-booking your table.
Peak District pubs with a playground
1. Bulls Head, Monyash
One of the best Peak District pubs with playground has to be the Bulls Head in Monyash. Full of charm and serving up fantastic food, it’s a lovely spot even without the added family perks.
The real bonus? While the playground isn’t technically in the beer garden, it’s the village play area located directly behind it, complete with a zip wire and basketball hoop! A low wall and small gate are all that separate the two, so you can relax with your drink while still keeping an easy eye on the kids.
If you’re following our Magpie Mine walk, this is the half way point for a lunch stop, and it’s not too far away from the start of our Lathkill Dale walk.
2. The Bulls Head, Ashford-in-the-Water
The Bull’s Head in Ashford-in-the-Water is another charming Peak District pub with easy access to a village playground, or in this case, the village rec! There’s plenty of space for little legs to run around, complete with a big slide, a climbing frame, and even football goal posts.
The playground is within sight of the beer garden, though it’s around 60 metres away, so you’ll have a clear view while enjoying your meal or drink.
The pub is run by a lovely local family with young children of their own, so they truly get what families need. It’s super welcoming to little ones, and there are even a few thoughtful touches for your four-legged friends too!
This pub feature on two of our Peak District family pub walks: Bakewell to Ashford-in-the-Water walk (7km) and Ashford-in-the-Water to Monsal Head walk (6.2km).
3. The Bridge Inn, Curbar
As of 16th March 2025, The Bridge Inn has sadly ceased trading. We are hoping that it will reopen under new management and will update you as soon as we have news.
The Bridge Inn, Curbar, is the start of our River Derwent walk from Curbar to Froggatt. There’s a large beer garden out the back as well as a play area for the kids.
4. Wheatsheaf, Baslow
The Wheatsheaf in Baslow has a perfect beer garden for families and is always popular on a summers day. Large climbing frames and slides are situated right in the middle with picnic tables spread around, so it’s very easy to find a spot to enjoy your drink and watch your little ones play.
It does have a rather ‘chain feel’ to it and whilst the food is good value (lunches from £6), it’s not anything special, although there is a separate kids menu.
Easy going is the vibe here. Parents may enjoy the gin menu.
Close by is Chatsworth House, so it’s a good lunch stop after a visit to the Chatsworth Farm Park (one of the top things to do in the Peak District with kids). You may also want to combine this with our Baslow to Chatsworth walk (pram friendly).
5. The Travellers Rest, Hope Valley
Kids are more than welcome at this traditional pub in the Hope Valley. There’s a large enclosed garden with a play area with loads of space to run.
This kid-friendly pub is not too far from the caves at Castleton and a very short walking distance from Hardhurst Farm Camping & Caravan Site. But really, on a warm summers day, this is the place to come for a full afternoon spent in the beer garden.
6. The Little Mill, Rowarth
Tucked away in the charming village of Rowarth on the Manchester edge of the Peak District, The Little Mill is a gem for families exploring the area. Although technically 100 metres from the National Park boundary, we felt the need to include this pub due to the superb pub garden playground.
Set beside a babbling brook and surrounded by rolling hills, this traditional country pub is as welcoming to kids as it is to walkers and locals. The outdoor play area is a real highlight, with climbing frames, swings, an epic slide, and plenty of space for little ones to burn off energy while adults relax nearby. The spacious beer garden offers lots of benches, making it easy to enjoy a drink or meal in the sunshine while keeping an eye on the kids.
Peak District cafés with a play area
1. Thornbridge Gardens and Café, Ashford-in-the-Water
READ: Thornbridge Gardens and Café review
Sat just off the Monsal Trail between Ashford-in-the-Water and Great Longstone, Thornbridge Gardens has become the must visit place for those visiting the Peak District with kids. 12 acres of quirky and quintessentially English gardens surround the grand Thornbridge Hall, dotted with statues and temples, and bursting with colour.
But why is it so special for kids? Well first and foremost is the splashingly fantastic fun paddling in the fountain and catching ducks with a net (rubber ones, not real ones!) Honestly, this keeps the kids entertained for hours. Parents will find it fascinating watching kids of all ages meticulously line rubber ducks along the sides and search for ‘special ones’.
Encircling the fountain, marked with coloured festival bunting, is the outdoor kids play area; including a den, hammocks and swings, blocks to play with, chimes, and painting easels. Lots to spark imaginations! There are even pop up badminton nets (complete with rackets and shuttle cocks) and a basketball hoop for older kids nearby.
Plus there’s the extensive gardens to explore (with a few more games along the way including croquet) and also Quackers Café serving lots of scrummy food!
2. Brick Corner, Buxton
READ: Brick Corner review
If your kids are Lego fans, then a visit to the family-run Brick Corner café in Buxton is an absolute must. Here there are boxes galore of Lego for your kids to play with and let their imaginations go wild, whilst parents sit back with a coffee and slice of cake in peace (although by all means, there are no age limits if parents want to get involved!)
Plus, there are Lego robotic and coding sessions to get involved in. These are 90 mins (approx.) sessions where kids follow a guided Lego build, and then code their build to move! Prices start from £7.50 per session.
This is one of our top things to do in Buxton with kids.
3. The Play Village, Ashbourne
READ: The Play Village review
If you’re looking for a unique indoor experience where kids can let their imaginations run free, then you’ll love The Play Village in Ashbourne, just outside of the South Peak District border.
Completely different to soft play, this experience is centred around the magical art of role play. There are eight play pods set up as life-like settings designed to ignite the imagination.
Whilst the kids play, parents can relax in the tastefully designed cafe and enjoy the amazing food and drink. The menu is really refreshing for a kids’ play centre with everything prepared freshly from locally sourced produce where possible and the coffee is good too!
The sessions are at set times and last for two hours and 15 minutes. Booking is essential to ensure that the maximum number of children per session isn’t exceeded. This is a great Peak District rainy day activity or if you just want some time to relax and enjoy good food and drink whilst keeping the kids entertained.
4. Hassop Station Café, Hassop
Click here to visit their website
Situated right on the Monsal Trail, this is a perfect lunch stop if you’re planning a Peak District family bike ride or looking for a pram friendly walk.
Hassop Station Café has a lovely menu, including vegan options and a separate kids menu. There’s an outside playground area with wooden climbing frame, as well as a covered outdoor area.
Adjacent to the café is a shop selling books and gifts, as well as Monsal Trail bike hire with adult bike hire starting from £19 and child seats and trailer hire available. Parking is free if you’re eating in the café, otherwise there is separate pay and display parking.
5. Daisies Coffee Shop near Taddington
Click here to visit their website
Daisies Coffee Shop is located Beech Croft Farm Campsite in Blackwell, near Taddington, serving cakes, breakfasts and lots of other yummy delights to eat in or take away!
There’s a play area onsite for the campsite (with climbing frame and zip wire!) and visitors to the café are allowed to use it. The campsite itself is one of the best family campsites in the Peak District and the Chee Dale Stepping Stones are close by!
You may also want to read:
Top things to do in the Peak District with kids
Best family bike rides in the Peak District
Best family walks in the Peak District