This is a descriptive field study concerning the reported experience of parents and their children who were admitted for tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy to a northern hospital. Twenty parents and 20 children were asked to record the five most liked and disliked aspects of being in hospital. It was found that staff were considered salient and evaluated positively by both parents and children. Children found the most negative experience to be the postoperative period. There was no evidence of preoperative anxiety. It is recommended that further research should focus on ameliorating the negative experience of the postoperative period for children.