From stupendous Sunday roasts to perfect pizzas, families heading to the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are spoiled for choice with a whole host of tasty places to take the kids for a family meal.
SoGlos rounds up 25 child-friendly restaurants in places from picturesque rural villages to the culture-filled captial of the Cotswolds, that provide delicious local dishes and a warm welcome to families.
Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden in Cirencester
Nestled within the grounds of the spectacular Cirencester Park, Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden is an ideal spot for family dining. Serving brunch, lunch, coffee and dinner, its 'Field to Fork' ethos means that every dish is made as sustainably as possible using local, seasonal ingredients, many of which are grown in its own garden.
Kids can choose from options like dippy duck eggs and soldiers or a 'little ones' classic full English for breakfast, with soup of the day, baby burger or pesto gnocchi with cheddar for lunch — perfect for replenishing their energy after tackling Roots + Seeds' own outdoor adventure playground or getting imaginative in the playroom.
The Cotswold Diner in Seven Springs
Kids will love tucking into breakfast on a bus, with The Cotswold Diner serving up classic café grub like cooked breakfasts, filled baguettes, toasties and burgers on its lovingly converted bus.
Located just off the A436 near Cheltenham, it's ideally located for fuelling up with a hearty breakfast or lunch before heading off on the Cotswold Way nearby.
The OId New Inn in Bourton-on-the-Water
Dog- and child-friendly, The Old New Inn in Bourton-on-the-Water is right next door to the Bourton Model Village, so it's an ideal pit-stop for families visiting the popular Cotswold attraction.
The menu offers a selection of small plates including artisan Cotswold sausage rolls, handmade Cacklebean Scotch eggs, macaroni cheese and fish goujons with tartare sauce, as well as sharing boards and traditional main meals — with a cracking Sunday lunch menu, too.
Calcot Manor in Tetbury
The brasserie at the upmarket Calcot Manor in Tetbury has a children's menu that's ideal for little diners aged up to 12-years-old. Dishes include roasted tomato soup or buttered corn on the cob for starters; cheeseburger in a brioche bun with fries, penne pasta Bolognese, pizzetta Margherita, or sausage and mash with gravy for the main course; with chocolate brownie, sticky toffee pudding, fruit or ice cream for dessert.
There's plenty of activities for children staying at the hotel to enjoy, too, with a disc golf course, heated outdoor pool and woodland play areas to explore — not to mention Westonbirt Arboretum right on the doorstep.
The Old Prison in Northleach
Take the kids for lunch in the slammer with a trip to The Old Prison in Northleach. The unique eatery is housed within, you guessed it, an old prison — dating back to the 1700s complete with cells, Lloyd-Baker wagons and a courtroom.
It serves up a menu of cooked breakfasts, prison pizzas, sandwiches and sides, as well as tea, coffee and cake.
The Old Stocks Inn in Stow-on-the-Wold
Boutique hotel and restaurant, The Old Stocks Inn, perfectly blends traditional Cotswold charm with colourful, modern décor.
Families and their pups are welcome — and its 'Young Ones' menu offers under 12s a choice of one course for £8 or two courses and a drink for £12.50, with options including fish and chips; penne pasta; roast chicken breast and chips; sausage, mash and gravy; or soup of the day, with cheesecake, brownie, ice cream or fruit salad for pudding.
The Slaughters Country Inn in Lower Slaughter
The Slaughters Country Inn takes family dining seriously, with a variety of tasty options for its VILP's — or very important little people! Children are welcome in the restaurant until 8pm, where they can enjoy dishes like rosemary and garlic doughballs, sage and onion sausage bites, beef burgers, fish of the day, ham and cheese croque monsieur, sweet shop ice cream, chocolate brownie sundaes and strawberry and coconut milkshakes.
Of if you'd prefer to dine alfresco, families can take away a perfectly packed picnic hamper with crudités and houmous, crisps, sausage rolls, sandwiches, flapjacks and fruit to enjoy in The Slaughters' gorgeous gardens.
He Says She Waffles in Cirencester
Waffle-loving little ones will relish tucking into the selection of freshly-made sweet and savoury waffles at this cute café in Cirencester.
Toppings include classics like bacon and maple syrup or Nutella, to more creative options like Welsh rarebit waffles, Hawaiian waffles with ham and pineapple and even a cream tea waffle slathered with strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream.
The Ebrington Arms near Chipping Campden
Offering some of the best pub lunches in the Cotswolds and ideally located for walkers exploring the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The Ebrington Arms is a great spot for family dining, too.
Kids can tuck into macaroni cheese, fish and chips, beef burger, sausage and mash, buttermilk chicken goujons or sunblush tomato and parmesan pasta, followed by ice cream, sticky toffee pudding or chocolate brownie for dessert. The pub is also dog-friendly and has a fantastic beer garden to enjoy when the sun is shining.
The Crown at Ampney Brook
Designed for children aged five to 12, the 'Young Diner's' menu at The Crown at Ampney Brook offers little foodies a great choice of dishes from breakfast through to dinner.
Options include pancakes and waffles for breakfast; battered haddock and chips, sausage and mash, grilled chicken burger, prawn cocktail and Sunday roasts for the main event; and Eton mess, chocolate mousse, sticky toffee pudding or ice cream for dessert.
The Weighbridge Inn in Minchinhampton
The Weighbridge Inn is famous for its two-in-one pies, which it has been serving for more than 40 years, much to the delight of locals and visitors. Little ones can get their hands on their very own miniature two-in-one pie, filled to the brim with steak and mushroom; chicken, ham and leek; turkey and trimmings; creamy fish with dill sauce; or roasted root vegetables, served with a side of cauliflower cheese or broccoli mornay.
If they're not a pastry fan, it also offers a selection of other pub favourites like mini pizza, tomato and veggie pasta or cod goujons and fries, with roast dinners on Sunday, too.
The Fish Hotel in Broadway
Seafood fans can enjoy elegant fine dining with the family at The Fish Hotel's Hook restaurant, with its 'Little Tiddlers' menu giving children a great choice of dishes.
Choose from fish fingers and chips; cheese and tomato pizza; cheeseburger; mini sea bream fillet with new potatoes; tomato pasta; or a snack plate with cheese, ham, crudités, houmous and a soft taco wrap, plus puds including ice cream, fruit salad and cookies.
Cotswold Farm Park in Guiting Power
The Ox Shed restaurant at Cotswold Farm Park serves up breakfast and lunch every day, made with local ingredients including meat from the farm.
'Little Farmers' can choose from a lighter full English, breakfast roll or toast at breakfast time; with burgers, chicken goujons or pasta on offer for lunch. Cakes are made daily by the farm park's resident baker — and at the weekend there's fish and chips available on Friday evenings and freshly made stone baked pizzas available on Saturday evenings.
The Swan in Bibury
Situated in one of the Cotswolds' prettiest and most iconic villages, The Swan serves up stylish British dishes at its brasserie overlooking the River Windrush.
Children can tuck into 'buffalomi' chips, garlic ciabatta or carrot and pepper sticks to start; beef burger, pork sausage and mash, mini steak and ale pie, battered haddock, or pasta for the main course; with a variety of desserts from sundaes and ice creams to brownies on offer, as well as Sunday lunches.
The Mousetrap Inn in Bourton-on-the-Water
The Mousetrap Inn is a quaint 19th century pub and restaurant that's independently run and supposedly played host to Agatha Christie herself, once upon a time.
It welcomes families, with a children's menu that includes tasty treats like garlic bread; fish and chips; burger and chips; or sausage, mash and peas, as well as a wordsearch to keep their minds occupied while you enjoy your meal.
The Carpenters Arms in Westrip
Located right on the edge of the Cotswolds in Westrip, near Stroud, The Carpenters Arms is well worth a visit. Proud to champion local food and drink, it was recently crowned Gloucestershire Cider Pub of the Year by CAMRA and has a menu of tasty pub classics, with kid's dishes including spaghetti Pomodoro; ham, egg and chips; chicken goujons; and pork or veggie sausage and mash, as well as kid's breakfasts and pancakes on the brunch menu.
The pub also boasts magnificent views over the Stroud Valley from its beer garden, which has a children's play area, too.
The Porch House in Stow-on-the-Wold
Give little ones a history lesson with lunch at England's oldest inn, located in the heart of Stow-on-the-Wold.
As well as heaps of traditional Cotswold charm with exposed beams and flagstone floors, The Porch House offers a children's menu which includes grilled beef burger, sausage and mash, grilled chicken skewers, macaroni pasta and fish and chips, with ice cream or sorbet for dessert.
The Bell at Sapperton
Nestled within the Cotswold Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the outskirts of Cirencester, The Bell at Sapperton is ideally located for walkers, bikers and horse riders, with the pub even providing horse parking outside!
The family-friendly venue uses local and regional produce and has a great reputation for its food. Children's dishes include mini fish and chips, cheeseburger, tomato pasta with cheese and chicken goujons, along with sweet treats like chocolate brownie, ice cream and a coke float.
The Kings Arms in Didmarton
The Kings Arms in Didmarton is a Butcombe Brewery pub serving traditional pub grub in a cosy environment, ideal for stopping into after a day of exploring at the nearby Badminton Estate, Highgrove Gardens and Westonbirt Arboretum.
The crowd-pleasing children's menu features mac 'n' cheese, battered haddock goujons, cheeseburger, chicken schnitzel, cheesy beans on toast, little Sunday roasts, Belgian waffles and ice cream, banana split and chocolate brownie.
The Royal Oak in Tetbury
Tetbury institution, The Royal Oak, is a family- and dog-friendly pub at the heart of the village, serving up an ever-changing menu of delicious seasonal dishes. The quirky saloon bar features cosy booths, an Art Deco piano and upcycled furnishings, with exposed oak beams adding even more character to the 18th century building.
Its children's menu includes dishes like its 'oak pot' of the day served with fluffy rice, fries or bread; chicken nuggets and chips; and fish fingers and chips, to keep little tummies happy. It also offers children's Sunday roasts.
Morris & Brown in Broadway
Make the trek up Middle Hill to Broadway Tower and you'll be in for a treat at the top. As well as spectacular views of the Cotswold countryside, Morris & Brown Café is open for breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea to refuel after the walk.
Children can tuck into sausage roll or beef pasty with baked beans; cheese on toast; handmade scones and cakes; or enjoy one of Morris & Brown's famous hot chocolates topped with whipped cream and marshmallows.
The White Hart Royal in Moreton-in-Marsh
This 17th century coaching inn in Moreton-in-Marsh boasts a gorgeous garden that's perfect for alfresco dining in summer, as well as cosy log fires in the winter.
Children can enjoy two courses for £5.95 or three for £7.95, with dishes including soup and soldiers, veggie sticks and dip, or garlic bread to start; fish and chips, vegetable and tomato pasta, cheeseburger, or chicken goujons for the main course; and fresh fruit salad, ice cream or warm chocolate brownie for pudding.
The Wheatsheaf Inn in Northleach
Just a few minutes away from Far Peak Climbing Centre, which is an ideal day out for active families, The Wheatsheaf Inn offers a great selection of children's dishes.
From pigs in blankets or crudités and houmous to start; lamb meatballs with tomato sauce, mash and broccoli, chicken Milanese and chips, breaded haddock and chips, cheeseburger, penne Pomodoro or mini picnic for main; to ice cream sundae, brownie or sticky toffee pudding for dessert — not to mention scrumptious Sunday lunches.
The Halfway at Kineton
After reopening in February 2023 following an impressive revamp and revealing its brand-new 'affordable luxury' menu, The Halfway at Kineton has been impressing visitors and critics alike, with The Times columnist Giles Coren saying 'this is the best pie in England, no question.'
Chef Nathan Eades, formerly of Daylesford's The Wild Rabbit in Kingham, has created a carefully crafted menu using the very best local produce, which also extends to children's choices, with little ones treated to leek and potato soup, cheddar cheese on sourdough toast, mini fish and chips, middle white sausages with mash and onion gravy, with set chocolate custard or ice cream for a sweet treat.
The King's Head Inn in Bledington
Boasting a children's play area and a shepherd's hut that converts into an ice cream shop during the summer, The King's Head in Bledington is a great family-friendly Cotswold pub.
Kid's meals include macaroni cheese, mini fish and chips or sausage and chips, with chocolate brownie or sticky toffee pudding served with vanilla ice cream for dessert, providing plenty energy for running around outside in the pub's spacious garden.
