What's your view on eating out with children in Tunbridge Wells? I only ask as firstly it was all over the BBC Breakfast news earlier this morning, and also I have just had a lunch with a friend in the town which was totally ruined thanks to a mum deciding to change her babies nappy at the table first of all, and which then bawled relentlessly for the remainder of the time we were there. Please don't get me wrong, I love children having raised three of my own, but going out to lunch is a special treat for me these days, and I do begrudge having my time ruined when I do get to go out. Am I terribly old-fashioned? Do you take your children out to eat in restaurants, pubs and cafes in the town, or do you agree that children (and here I think I really mean babies and toddlers) really shouldn't be allowed in many of them? If you do take your children out to eat in Tunbridge Wells, where do you go and why - if only so others like me can have the option to avoid these places!

By CraneBrooke at 13:06 on 29/06/11

Ouch! Whilst I think many people will think you are justified in your comments, I think that possibly it's up to parents to decide. If they know their little one is incapable of sitting still through a 3 course meal, then you simply don't put them (as well as yourself and others trying to eat nearby) through what is inevitably going to be a nightmare. I don't tend to eat out a lot with my young children I must confess, a quick sandwich and a cold drink while on the run or waiting for something to start is as about as good as it gets, or occasionally a pub lunch at the weekend. But I do love the sight - particularly when on holiday in Europe - of huge groups of families eating together and the children behaving impeccably at the heart of the table, even late at night. Family friendly places (I think) in TW are the Fenwicks cafe, Muffin Break, Pizza Express, JavaBean, ASK, the cafes in Dunorlan and Grosvenor Parks, and Woods. Avoid if you so choose!

By Rebecca_H at 16:27 on 29/06/11
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