The best pubs with playgrounds in and around Greater Manchester

Pubs that can keep all the family happy can be hard to find. Here's some of the best around the region

A pint in the pub is a Bank Holiday ritual for many.

But, if you've got kids, it can tricky to keep them entertained while you relax over a drink. Luckily, that's where the pub playground comes in.

Here we've rounded up some of the best pubs in Greater Manchester and further afield that provide fun for all the family.

The Airport, Heald Green

When it comes to eating out few places are as uniquely located as The Airport Pub. Sitting at the side of the runway at Manchester Airport, it's always been a popular place for plane spotters, including children who like to watch the aircraft take off and land.

Now the place has just become even more appealing with last month's unveiling of a new play area. The refurbishment is an improvement and expansion to the airplane and play area that was fitted seven years ago and is already proving a massive hit with families and visitors.

The Airport, Ringway Road, Heald Green, M22 5WH.

Rising Moon, Hyde

This stylish Robinson's pub is in a lovely spot in the hills above Hyde. It's a got a small but perfectly kitted out grassed playground including swings and climbing frame right next to the beer garden, so you can keep an eye on the little uns while enjoying a drink.

It's open from noon to 10pm seven days a week and serves food all day.

Rising Moon, Matley Lane, Matley, Hyde, SK14 4EG

Freight Island, Manchester city centre

Bit of a cheat this one, because strictly speaking Freight Island doesn't have a playground. But it's right next door to Mayfield, Manchester's newest park.

With spiralling slides, rope bridges, sunken trampolines, climbing walls and more, the space-themed playground in the heart of the city is among the best. You can combine your visit to the park with a drink at a bite to eat at Freight Island, probably the biggest food hall in the city.

Or if the kids are a bit older you can pack them off on their own, while you sit back and relax.

Freight Island, 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ

The Little Mill, Rowarth

Combined with a walk in the surrounding High Peak countryside, this Grade II-listed country pub makes a cracking family day out. Set in two acres it's got a huge adventure playground, with a hair-raising slide the kids will love.

A small river with a beach and ducks runs through the beer garden and the pub also keeps pygmy goats, chickens, rabbits and a large pond with Koi, sturgeon and goldfish. The kitchen serves a mainly locally-sourced menu of pub classics, there's views over Kinder Scout and the Pennine Way and if you fancy making a night of it there's even five B&B rooms.

The Little Mill, Hollinsmoor Rd, Rowarth, High Peak SK22 1EB

The Black Swan, Hollins Green

This family friendly pub in the picturesque village of Hollins Green, close to Cadishead prides itself on its traditional home-cooked fresh food. But the kids will probably be more interested in the play area, duck pond and zip wire.

Food is served noon until 8pm Monday to Saturday and noon until 7pm on Sunday.

550 Manchester Road, Hollins Green, WA3 6LA.

Puss In Boots, Offerton

Popular with families, this Stockport pub boasts an impressive wooden play area including a climbing frame, balancing beams and more.

The menu's available online and food is served daily from noon.

Puss In Boots, 147 Nangreave Road, Offerton, Stockport, SK2 6DG.

The Woodhouse Gardens, Daisy Nook

This award-winning pub is based in Woodhouses village near the picturesque Daisy Nook Country Park in Oldham. Its large beer garden features a big wooden climbing frame and a slide and there are plenty of outdoor tables to dine al fresco while the kids enjoy the fun.

Food is served in the garden, depending on the weather, but there's also a large bar area if it starts raining.

The Woodhouse Gardens, 48 Medlock Road, Woodhouses Village, Daisy Nook, M35 9WN.

The Beach, Rochdale

The large amount of outdoor seating is a big pull for this place, but even better than that is the stunning view over Hollingworth Lake.

The outdoor play area - with its climbing frame - is more suited to older children but there is plenty of space for little ones to play. Food is served daily from noon until 8pm.

Lake Side, Littleborough, OL15 0DD.

The Bowling Green Hotel, Chorlton

The south Manchester pub's playground is more probably suited to younger kids. There's a small climbing frame and slide on an astroturfed play area overlooking the green from which the family-run pub takes its name.

Out front there's another decent-sized beer garden with food served 12-8pm Monday to Saturday and 12-7pm on Sundays.

The Bowling Green Hotel, 1 Brookburn Road, Chorlton, M21 9ES

The Blue Bell, Smallwood

It's just a couple of miles off the M6, but the tiny Cheshire village of Smallwood feels like it could be from another time. And at the heart of this tranquil spot stands a 16th Century pub that's perfect for families.

Last year The Bluebell Inn unveiled a major refurbishment which includes a swish new beer garden a huge new play fort for the kids. Food is served from 12pm onwards seven days a week and on Mondays kids eat free with every adult meal.

The Blue Bell, Spen Green, Sandbach, CW11 2XA

Railway Inn, Mobberley

It's dog-friendly so the large outdoor play area outside the Railway means you can bring all the family along to the pub. There are slides, swings and a trim trail for the kids to enjoy, as well as the planes to watch coming and going from the nearby airport.

Railway Inn, Station Road, Mobberley, Knutsford, WA16 6LA.

Little Manor, Thelwall

At the Little Manor kids can play at being farmers on the pub's tractor-themed play area. It overlooks the parkland in the heart of Thelwall village in Warrington and there's lots of space for little ones to explore.

There's both covered and uncovered seating outside.

Bell Lane, Thelwall, Warrington, WA4 2SX.

The Hopwood, Middleton

The Hopwood, overlooking the Rochdale Canal at Slattocks, prides itself on 'home cooked food at reasonable prices'. It's dog-friendly inside and out and there's plenty of space for them to run around in the pub garden and children's play area.

753 Rochdale Road, Middleton, M24 2RA.