I think that the problemm often lies with the kids being kept in pubs for just a bit longer than they can cope with. A small kid is going to get bored once the main activity of eating is finished with and that'a when they start playing up and getting on other people's nerves. Most pubs even 'family' ones are not really geared up for kids, so a bit of common sense from parents would probably avert annoying others. I noticed that the Wetherspoons in Peckham have introduced a meal and one drink policy for people with kids, not sure how hard and fast it is, though. I took my son into the EDT the other day and after a while he got bored and started running around, singing loudly which led to pointed looks from the other patrons. All it took was a few firm words to get him in line, as I recall they were "For feck's sake, you're twenty seven, pack it in". Problem solved with a little firmness.