*Updated* We wrote this blog during lockdown, but we think that it’s all still relevant – any parent who dines out with young kids is grateful for a bit of outdoor space to burn off some energy!
I really hope I’m not jinxing things here but I’ve had two picnics in two days, which to me means Summer is FINALLY here! Hurray! So it’s time to make hay while the sun shines and enjoy some of Harrogate’s finest eating establishments with outdoor play areas. We‘ve picked a few of our family-friendly favourites to review – but as always if you have any other recommendations then please let us know on the Facebook comments!
First up we have the fabulous Fodder! Located just by the Great Yorkshire Showground this is the ideal place for some upmarket al fresco dining whilst your little ones play happily on the wooden horses. This is my favourite spot to meet my friends in the summer on a Friday lunchtime. The menu is awesome – lots of lovely local, fresh produce – and they have a great kids menu too. If I’m feeling a little guilty for having such a nice time while my husband is at work, I’ll pop into the farm shop and get him (and me too – obvs!) something yummy for dinner. The play area is slightly fenced off and just a few meters away from the outdoor seating area.
The Black Swan at Burn Bridge has a fab beer garden and a great adventure playground for the kids, as well of lots of open space for them to run off some of that endless energy. My family love this pub – we discovered it last summer on a rather hot and sticky car journey back from Manchester. My daughter was having a meltdown and couldn’t quite make the extra five minunte car journey home. We’re pretty pleased she couldn’t – we ended up staying all afternoon in the beer garden and had a very tasty lunch. The kids fish and chips were HUGE and really, really tasty! The playground kept my daughter amused for hours, and once she’d had enough of that she had plenty of space to run around and she loved going to say hello to the cows in the next field. We’ve been countless times since and it never disappoints. The food is fantastic!
The Squinting Cat on Whinny Lane is another firm favourite amongst us all at Mumbler due to the Way Warehouse and the pub garden out back. This place is especially a good idea if it’s a typical British summer day and you’re not sure if it’s going to pour down with rain at any minute. There are a few outdoor seats at the front as well as out the back. But if it does rain, fear not – they have an indoor soft play area (the Wacky Warehouse) too!
A little further out of Harrogate – is The George at Wormald Green. It’s a carvery pub – and a great one at that! With at least two carved meats and other side dishes – there is always plenty of choice, and from Monday to Saturday under 12s eat free. The beer garden is lush and wraps around the pub with gorgeous Yorkshire countryside views. There’s a little wooden play area for children as well as a decent size lawn with a goal at one end – so bring a football with you! If you’re a fan of the cycling – this will be a great spot to watch the UCI World Championships in September.
Also out of town is the brilliant Stump Cross Caverns. They have a huge outside area with a sand pit and play area and the most beautiful of views! The Time Cafe serves the best food – the cakes and sweet treats are a personal favourite of mine@
Our final recommendation is a firm favourite amongst the Harrogate Mumbler Facebook group is The Knox. A lovely country style family-favourite located out towards Bilton. The beer garden here is fabulous – and although it doesn’t have a play area as such they do have toys for children to play with, and there’s lots of space in the beer garden for them to run and play around. For the last two years they’ve also made an urban beach, which has been a big hit with kids! Hopefully that will be back again this year – but if not, it’s still very much worth a visit – for the Pinocchio’s pizza alone!
Happy summertime everyone – now get the sun cream on and enjoy!
