East Anglia
The Kings Head
Letheringsett, Norfolk
Samuel Johnson famously said: "If a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."
David and Pam Watts could justifiably translate those words into: "If a child is tired of the Kings Head, he or she is tired of life."
Just about every game, toy, activity or pursuit imaginable is provided at the Norfolk freehouse to help keep kids happy or stir their imaginations. These include a play castle, willow maze, giant Twister and Snakes & Ladders boards, giant Connect 4, wheeled toys and bikes, a totem pole, swings and slides.
Ice skating in July
To add extra sparkle, the couple installed an ice-skating rink on one of July's hottest days last year and engaged a brass band.
David enthuses: "It was a great day and the band played Bolero while people skated."
After deducting the supplier's fee, all the money raised from skate hire costing £2 per adult and £1 per child was donated to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The next special event will be hiring a rock climbing wall for the day.
David explains: "Everything we plan must suit all ages, especially much-neglected 10 to 16-year-olds."
Catering for all
Such is the Kings Head's family-friendly reputation that Pam estimates at least 70% of customers are family groups.
The pub has also gained a reputation for providing quality food for all, with special dishes for people suffering from all forms of food allergies and those with dietary needs.
The Watts are eager to cut down "food miles" - no produce travels more than 30 miles from its source to the pub.
No turkey twizzlers here
Similar attention to detail is given to the food and drinks on offer to children. The emphasis is on healthy eating and home-made food, with no sign of fish shapes, chicken nuggets or turkey twizzlers on the menu.
Even baby food at the Kings Head is home-made and includes a range of meat and vegetarian options.
Similar care extends to the ingredients of children's drinks - for example, the slush- drinks machine is filled with 100% fruit juice.
