A good beer garden with a play area is one of parenthood's genuine small victories. You get a pint. The children get somewhere to run. Everyone wins.
Here is a guide to the best beer gardens in London with a play area or enough outdoor space that your children are not immediately everyone else's problem.
What to Look For
A dedicated play area is ideal but not essential. What matters is outdoor space that is enclosed or clearly defined, so you are not spending the whole time doing a head count. Bonus points for: a sandpit, climbing frame, or a large lawn. Minus points for: a beer garden that is basically a pavement with two tables.
The Best Beer Gardens for Dads With Kids in London
The Jolly Anglers, Isleworth sits right on the Thames with a large enclosed garden and a proper play area for younger children. Good selection of beers, decent food, and the riverside location means there is always something to point at while you wait for the next round.
The Telegraph, Brixton has one of South London's best pub gardens -- a huge, leafy space with room for children to move around without you having to hover. Gets lively on weekends but families are welcome in the garden throughout the afternoon.
The Clapton Hart, Hackney has a large beer garden that is family-friendly earlier in the day. Solid beer selection, good food, and the Hackney location means it tends to attract a relaxed, mixed crowd.
The Windmill, Clapham is a classic South London pub with a large garden that works brilliantly for families on a sunny afternoon. Reliable food, plenty of outdoor seating, and close enough to Clapham Common that you can combine it with a morning in the park.
The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park has one of London's most distinctive pub gardens -- a multi-level, treehouse-style outdoor space that children find genuinely exciting. North London institution. Gets very busy on sunny days, so arrive early.
The Cutty Sark, Greenwich is right by the river and has outdoor seating that works well for families. The location near Greenwich Park means you can make a full day of it -- park in the morning, pub in the afternoon.
The Oak, Acton has a large enclosed garden with a play area specifically for children. One of West London's better family pub options and less well known than some of the others on this list, which means it is easier to get a table.
A Few Ground Rules
Most London pubs are fine with children in the garden until around 7pm. After that it gets more variable. Check the pub's policy before you go if you are planning a later visit.
Bring snacks. Pub kitchens can be slow on busy days and a hungry child in a beer garden is a very different proposition to a fed one.
And accept that "quick pint" is not a concept that survives contact with children. Plan for at least two hours and you will enjoy yourself considerably more.
For more daddy.london guides on getting the most out of London with kids, take a look at the rest of the site.