Family Friendly Pubs in Dartmouth With Somewhere for Kids to Play

Short answer: The Sail Loft is the roomiest place in town and the Royal Castle has high chairs and level access. Dartmouth's pubs are old buildings with small rooms, so the play happens outside — on the quay watching the ferries, or at Blackpool Sands.

A word on what to expect. Devon coastal pubs very rarely have playgrounds in the way inland family pubs do — the buildings are old, the sites are small and the land is expensive. What they have instead is a beer garden, a beach or a public play area within sight. That is usually enough, but it is worth knowing before you drive somewhere expecting a climbing frame.

Dartmouth's pubs are historic, which cuts both ways

This is a town of Tudor and Georgian buildings and the pubs are inside them. That makes them full of character and short of space. The Cherub Inn is the oldest building in Dartmouth and has about seven tables in total — charming, and not somewhere to take a family of five on spec.

The Sail Loft

The roomiest option, on Foss Street. A big characterful room with a wood burner upstairs, plenty of seating inside and out, burgers, pizzas and a relaxed setting that suits all ages. Dog friendly. Opens at three most days and closed Sundays.

The Royal Castle

On the quay, recently refurbished, with an upstairs restaurant and window tables over the harbour. High chairs are available and there is level access from the waterfront, which matters with a pushchair. Reviewers describe a great atmosphere with high chairs available and staff who cope when busy.

The Floating Bridge

Riverside by the higher ferry, a short walk out of the centre, and known for its Sunday roast. Book online — it fills — and note there are only three parking spaces outside. Worth the walk for the setting.

The Dartmouth Arms

Lower Street, with a river view, sensible prices and a menu that goes beyond standard pub food — pizzas and Tex-Mex nights. Good on gluten-free and they will fry chips separately if you ask. Steep stairs up to the toilets, which is worth knowing with small children.

Where the actual play is

• The quay and the Embankment — level, and the ferries coming and going are free entertainment.
• Blackpool Sands, fifteen minutes west — lifeguards, a café and a boardwalk. Fine shingle, not sand.
• Woodlands Family Theme Park, twenty minutes — large indoor play areas.
• Totnes Rare Breeds Farm — feed the animals for a pound a bag, wheelchair accessible.

Practical

Book if you are more than four, and book for Sunday lunch anywhere on this list. Devon pubs fill and the ones with gardens fill first on a sunny day.