The Village, Walthamstow

I went here with my parents last week and they enjoyed it. The food was average and the service (a woman bartender) was friendly. So we went back in the weekend because my parents wanted to take the whole family out for lunch. This time I had my 3 year old with me and the experience was quite different. We were directed to the 'snug'. I think it's fine to have a separate area for people with children but it was freezing - a nasty chill crept up behind us the whole time we were there. We were also asked to put the buggy outside for 'health and safety'. It wasn't blocking the fire exit and could have been put elsewhere inside. Amazingly, other pubs and restaurants all over the UK and even Walthamstow manage to comply with H & S regulations and keep buggies in corners or folded up but The Village policy is outside so don't go with a very new baby, or one that's asleep, or if it's raining... I think it's fine for pubs or restaurants to choose to be child free if they're up front about it but I do resent being made to feel unwelcome and uncomfortable in order for the pub to make the point that they don't want children in it. I won't bother going back with or without children.

17 Dec 2011 16:21