Children not welcome!

My comment was echoing Anya?

We have lots of hotels, cafes etc that describe themselves as 'child friendly'. I see no reason why we shouldn't have others that describe themselves as 'child unfriendly'.

I can remember booking a meal in a restaurant that didn't say it was child unfriendly, but when we got there they had no high chairs because they did not cater for children (no children's menu). I didn't object in principle, but I had rather we had been asked when we booked a table for 6 whether it included children, or better still like this cafe in Devon announce the owner was open about his policy of 'no children under 12'. We had a good, but uncomfortable meal with a toddler having to sit on his mother's lap because they didn't even have cushions to raise the height of the seat of a dining chair

It seems these days that if you dare to say anything against children you are considered a monster! I like children but if I want a quiet cup of coffee or meal I don't want to have to deal with someone's child being noisy, having a tantrum or running around getting under the waiter/waitresses feet. I think a place which caters for older children and adults would do very well in a lot of towns.

Not only would I be terrified to take a child into a place full of antiques and fine things, I would be rather nervous of taking DH into one, too. If we are walking through John Lewis's china department, he is ordered to keep his hands in his pocket and tuck his elbows in!! Regarding the original post, if that is what he wants to do in his own establishment good luck to him, but I don't know how he gets away with it in this age of inclusion.

Mixed feelings about this, not sure I am comfortable with excluding a whole group of people. I had experience of this some years ago when I took a group of people with learning disabilities to a country pub. We were still helping people out of the minibus ( only six people ) when the landlord came out to us and said " sorry we are full up there is no room for your group ". On a personal level I am quite happy to be in a child free environment.

As a former primary school teacher, I've had enough of other people's children and would welcome adult only coffee shops and restaurants. Our grandsons do come out with us for coffee or meals, but if they are grumpy or bored, they are removed and entertained elsewhere, for their own sakes as well as for other people's sanity!

Not at all surprised UK is the worse for not being happy about children in restaurants

In the rest of Europe they are very much more children friendly when it comes to cafe's/restaurants

I personally think it is an utter disgrace and so typical of English culture to barr children from a café/restaurant

Most children in other European countries are well mannered Serkeen and they are usually accompanied by extended families where they are well outnumbered by adults. Here it seems to be a few harassed mums with loads of children or stressed couples also with stressed children. And actually this idea that all cafes in Europe welcome children is a fallacy I've been in plenty of places where Italian or French Mammas are sipping their cappuccinos in peace. I think its a great idea.

Difficult one. I've had meals ruined by adults who shout
their heads off. However, as long as there are other cafes that welcome children, it's probably a good idea. When I'm with my daughter and grandchildren, we try to go to places that are " child friendly" in order to avoid embarassment if the toddler becomes over exuberant !!

I hate banning anyone think it's wrong, too much banning, I grew up when there were big notices in windows ...no this no that, I can't even bring myself to write it, whatever next ! The world should be. Inclusive of everyone ...of course if they cause mayhem ask them to leave but how else to children learn how sit and have a meal out No one bought meals out at restaurants or cafes ( well not with our money anyway) when I was a kid so I had no idea of restaurant etiquette, by the time I was dating I was so nervous I couldn't eat it was such an alien world to me

I would go there and relish the peaceful environment

As well as banning children I would ban dogs, especially large one.

I would also ban Russell Brand, Jonathan Ross and Ruby Wax

I wonder how we'd feel if it was old people rather than children who were excluded? It could be claimed that the over-70s are slow, and get in the way with their shopping trolleys and their walking aids; perhaps they don't spend as freely as younger people, and like to spend hours over a pot of tea.

Just a thought.

And we can misbehave grannyticktock

grannyticktock try looking through ads for clubs and organisations - so many state 20 - 40 age group. Have a look on the Meetups site, once again many groups state 20 - 40. I know this because I have been looking for many months. There are so many organisations and clubs which exclude older people - so whats wrong with a cafe catering for older children and adults?

I can't say I've ever had an outing spoilt by children. Badly behaved adults, yes, but not children. And the vast majority of parents do their level best to teach their children how to behave in public - you often see them on tenterhooks when their charges get a bit loud or boisterous. But I can see the cafe owner's point in this case. The place is packed with antiques and breakables. I'm a bit of a klutz so I don't think I could trust myself around them, let alone the grandsons.

Unfortunately not all children sit quietly and not all parents expect their children to behave. Last time I took my mother to one of our local restaurants a party of three mums thought it was ok for their toddlers and young children to use the place as a soft play area.
For those in South London, the cafe in Dulwich Park Has separate areas for adults and families,

In the early nineties, when my son was preschool, a trip out midweek and a chance to have a chat with other mums was to go to soft play. Nowadays it seems the choice of climbing frame is the furniture and other patrons in coffee shops! Meanwhile the mums completely ignore their little darlings, preferring to chat or play on their phones and rely on the other customers to catch their offspring when they inevitably fall!

It doesn't bother me. I am not intolerant to (most) children, but some are simply not taught how to behave in public and together with their parents can make the environment in a restaurant / café unpleasant. If I was going out with DH on our own, this might be a place of choice once in a while. That said, I am all for family friendly cafes that provide a toy box / crayons for the tables too. It is easy to gauge how places operate and sometimes it is simply wise to avoid certain times if you want a quieter experience.

A couple of years ago DH and I were camping in Norfolk, moving around a few sites. At one place we stopped, the site owner announced that he had put us in a 'family free' part of the site. I was actually 'vaguely disgruntled' at first - hadn't asked for this 'service' , thought darkly to myself ' I am not THAT old' and I really do love to see families enjoying their holidays. However, I quickly acclimatised to NOT hearing the shrieking habdab arguments at mealtimes/bedtimes and NOT having Frisbees and cricket balls whizzing close by, swiftly followed by children running through the tent ropes to retrieve them!

Choice can be a very good thing.

Lots of pubs have children/family areas in a separate area.
I'd love to visit the cafe just for the peace and quiet, because much as I love children and am frequently (and quite happily) obliged to have them with me, they are not keen on sitting still and joining in a conversation. Many parents do not seem to have the ability or the desire to keep their children under reasonable control. Worst experience apart from the shrieking and running up and down was a family behind us in Frankie and Bennys who had a child 2-4 years old who was standing on the seat and kept hitting me on the head. When I asked them to stop the child doing it, the mother said, "He thinks it's fun and it's keeping him quiet. If you don't like it sit somewhere else."
I think this man's restaurant ruling is a lot more tactful than saying only well behaved children allowed. Shame I live too far away.

Doesn't bother me because I am not taking them home.

I suppose we have other places where children are banned, e.g. pubs, but, like Bluebelle it doesn't sit well with me. You get the occasional child/children misbehaving but mostly you see little characters just being children. When a baby is screaming its head off, I do think think it is nice if the parent removes the child until it is settled but sometimes that isn't always possible if there is only one parent and several children. If the owner of a restaurant/cafe wants to alienate large numbers in the community by banning children, then I guess that is his prerogative but he should expect an outcry because parents are usually very protective of their children's reputations!

He said he wanted it to be like a coffee lounge on an ocean liner. There were a lot of children on the Titanic.

As for children in France, etc., from experience such children tend to be better behaved.
A while ago someone wrote a book called, 'French Children Don't Throw Food.'
Well, why is that, I wonder? Possibly because their parents don't allow them to?
There are too many children in the UK whose parents think they must be allowed to behave exactly as they like no matter where they are, and anyone with the temerity to object is an evil child-hater.
I know they're not the majority, but they're not so uncommon, either.

I think it is a good thing to have cafes geared to young families and others geared to people who like quiet, then both groups are happy and have a suitable place to go and relax.

I didn't allow over exuberance from my daughter if we were eating out, which was rare, or at home
She sat at the table until she had finished eating, and watched her manners.
I used to glow with pride when people said she was a credit to me.