10 Unique Ways to Celebrate Father's Day in the UK

10 Unique Ways to Celebrate Father's Day in the UK

Key Takeaways

• A craft beer tasting tour provides dads with an adventurous opportunity to check out some local breweries. They can experience exciting flavours and find their new favourites in the process! It is a fabulous educational experience to understand the brewing process.
• Whether it’s a hiking trip, a cycling journey or a kayaking experience, outdoor adventure days offer an opportunity to connect. These hands-on experiences inspire healthy active lifestyles and foster important, lifelong memories in the natural world.
• Personalised gift experiences, like engraved tools or bespoke family trees, bring a special, sentimental element to Father’s Day. They demonstrate additional care and creativity, turning the day into something far more special.
• Scenic train journeys are a great way for dads to relax and take in the beautiful scenery. These blissful getaways are best followed by dinner out—or even better, a visit to a picturesque town to soak up that summer beauty.
• Creating new memories at a family BBQ picnic between fun, outdoor activities and eating their favourite foods brings them all together! It’s a delicious way to celebrate Father’s Day and please everyone’s palates.
• Virtual cooking classes allow dads to develop new culinary skills or experiment with exotic dishes from the comfort of their own home. Whatever you prepare, this experience is hands-on and full of fun for food-loving dads.

This special day gives us the opportunity to do just that, honour and appreciate our fathers and father figures. It’s maybe our favourite day of the year, full of heartfelt gestures from receiving personalised gifts to enjoying quality time together.

Most opt to celebrate the day with DIY cards, handwritten notes, or a delicious dinner, making memories to last a lifetime. Our retailers and restaurants really go all out with fun promotions and special events.

To do this, they want to help you plan an unforgettable day that’s perfect for you. Whether it’s a small token of appreciation or a grand gesture, the focus remains on expressing gratitude for the role fathers play in our lives.

This Father’s Day, we have the power to do something truly meaningful.

1. Craft Beer Tasting Tour

This Father’s Day, treating him to an experience you can share together is a much more special gift. That’s why we introduced the craft beer tasting tour experience, along with curated gift packs. These range from vouchers for exclusive brewery tours to a selection of hand-picked beer delivered directly from the Finchampstead brewery.

Whether Dad enjoys hoppy IPAs, smooth Stouts, or refreshing Lagers, there’s a style for him out there. Each Father’s Day set features five of our favourite freshly brewed beers paired with five of Made for Drink’s unique snacks. Together, these two things make an ordinary gift a truly extraordinary experience!

Indulge in some exclusive goods, just for you! Take home a limited-edition growler customized with “Dad’s Beer!” It’s been a massive success in years past. Here’s to celebrating in style! Take in a wide range of styles for IPA drinkers, dark beer enthusiasts, and those who love a good hop.

2. Outdoor Adventure Day

For Father’s Day this year, give dad the gift of adventure! There’s truly something for every interest. Paddle boarding for instance, is ideal for ages 10 and up, and combines fun and fitness seamlessly.

For those who want to take things at a laid back pace, fishing experiences can be tailored to your individual needs. Pick from adventures ranging from 2 hours to a full day!

Want to experience a new perspective? Hot air balloon rides provide unbelievable views while you enjoy a thrilling 1-hour flight - allow 3-4 hours total for the complete experience!

Clay pigeon shooting topped the lot! Pick up vouchers for 25 or 50 clays at your local shooting range.

Or for a different kind of wheeled adventure, Segway experiences are on offer at 14 locations throughout the UK. Most of these activities can be pre-scheduled with providers such as Avalanche Adventure.

Spending a day outdoors, likely with one of their favourite beers in hand, makes memories that last a lifetime.

3. Personalised Gift Experience

After that, a personalised gift experience goes a long way in making Father’s Day feel special. Whether it’s for your father, father figure, or grandfather this Father’s Day (18th June 2023), these gifts express true gratitude.

For Rugby, Football or Rugby fans, a personalized dressing room mug with the clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool or Wigan would be the best option. If your father appreciates a cold one, personalised beer, wine or whisky gifts will fill him with cheer.

Experience gifts have surged, with 1 in 4 of us gifting an experience. Experiences such as a microlight flight or a round of clay pigeon shooting provide more than just the experience itself.

For a unique angle on things, a fine art retouched print from a father-daughter / father-son shoot session makes a great memento.

For added flexibility, go for an E Voucher, delivered instantly with a personalised message and downloadable .pdf.

Or, our Standard Gift Pack comes with a classy envelope and guide booklet, so it’s never been easier to make a great presentation.

4. Scenic Train Journey

Plus, a scenic train journey is one of the most memorable ways to celebrate Father’s Day. That journey through the Yorkshire countryside’s rolling hills is absolutely gorgeous. The scenery along the route between Embsay and Bolton Abbey is beautiful, particularly in the lovely 1950s vintage Mark 1 coaches – it’s a real treat!

If you’re in the south, be sure not to miss a scenic connected ride from Tunbridge Wells West Station to Eridge. Just sit back and enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful scenery! These journeys provide a unique perspective on the landscape, with the train passing through the Dales and other breathtaking surroundings.

On the train, enjoy one of our delectable Ploughman’s Lunch. Begin your meal with a scrumptious Tomato Soup Starter. For your main you can select between Cajun Chicken, Roast Ham, Cheese and Aubergine, then finish off with an Eton Mess for pudding.

As this annual, 25-year-old tradition, organized completely by volunteers, unfolded, the experience was both nostalgic and heartwarming. With 90% of passengers giving it a thumbs up, it’s hard to resist!

5. Family BBQ Picnic

A family BBQ picnic is a traditional way to celebrate Father’s Day. The menu truly is the centerpiece for a BBQ picnic. Actually, 70% of people think food is the center of a BBQ that’s the best part!

For a Mediterranean makeover, serving your koftas with cucumber, mint and tzatziki puts Greece on the BBQ menu. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for the Pork Scratchings Burger! It’s a sure-fire crowd-pleaser and comes together in under 15 minutes.

Compliment the food with a well-curated playlist that maintains a high-energy vibe all day long. It’s those simple special touches, such as warming the bread on the grill for just a few minutes, that count.

Whether you do burgers, koftas, or sides, go for the fresh, hearty ingredients that appeal to all palates.

6. Virtual Cooking Class

Creating those memories together while learning something new together is a gift! A virtual cooking class adds some sizzle to Father’s Day. That’s a great thing because it’s especially true for dads who love to experiment in the kitchen!

Many online platforms offer a range of options, from mastering classic British dishes like beef Wellington or shepherd’s pie to exploring international cuisines such as Italian pasta-making or Japanese sushi. Follow a live or pre-recorded session with an instructor. It provides you with the freedom to cook at your own pace.

Most classes send an ingredient list in advance, so you have time to collect all the items you’ll need. So, learning to make fresh pasta could be just using organic white flour, free-range eggs and a touch of salt.

That delicious end result is just the icing on the cake! The magic truly unfolds when you all start cooking together and making that friendly mess.

7. Historic Site Exploration

There’s no better way to spend Father’s Day than exploring historic sites with your dad. Joined together, you can discover the very best of the UK’s incredible historic environment! Dudmaston in Shropshire has more than 875 years of fascinating family history, making it an ideal destination for family gatherings to connect with history side by side!

For a dose of history with your fun, Hughenden in one of the UK’s colourful metropolises will be sure to impress. Or if your dad just needs a little peaceful escape, Morden Hall Park in London is a wonderful place to spend a quiet day in beautiful nature, perfect for enjoying family activities.

If you are passionate about spectacular gardens and elegant architecture, don’t miss Knightshayes Court in Devon. You can have a fantastic barbecue at Attingham Park, which is another top-notch contender for celebrating fatherhood!

Northerners have the chance to experience the ultimate football fan stadium tour – by helicopter – in the North West. In the background, Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway has increased the excitement further with a 10% discount on its driving experiences!

Finally, Mount Stewart, Co. Down, offers stunning gardens and a really interesting history in an impressive setting, making it a great spot for a family day celebration.

8. Sports Match Outing

There’s nothing like enjoying a live sports match – match day is an amazing way to spend time with your dad! This experience gets even better if he’s a fan of American football or rugby! Experiencing the glory of historical matches side by side, basking in their greatness, adds a whole new level of nostalgia to the experience.

If you are unable to attend the game in person, don’t fret! Enjoying a game with your family at home can be just as fun and rewarding. BBC Good Food has some great big match snack ideas to take it to the next level.

For sports-loving dads who like showing off their trivia knowledge, planning a quiz can be a great way to pass time on the special day. If he’s up for a bit of adventure, he can tackle a quad bike safari.

Or, he’ll guide you in a 4×4 through wild landscapes for an adrenaline-filled journey into the heart of nature and wildlife. With 1 in 4 people loving to watch sports with their family, it’s a great way to spread the love.

9. Spa Day for Dads

Booking a spa day for Father’s Day might be the perfect way to pamper dad and let him know how much he’s appreciated. It’s not only a great way to relax, but to enjoy time spent together. For dads who’ve yet to visit a spa, this might be an opportunity to relax and refresh.

Join us in honouring Dad for Father’s Day at Bodhi Tree Spa! Relax with an indulgent treatment, mouth-watering lunch and unlimited use of our amazing leisure facilities. Check out their reviews that rave about their “amazing” treatments for one of the area’s most highly-rated spots.

Another spa day experience in high demand is the Men’s Detox Spa Day at Macdonald Hotels. Including a treatment, lunch and day use leisure access, this package has a 5/5 customer rating, and comes with live availability.

This product is specifically formulated for guys. Customer response has been overwhelmingly positive, with 80% of customers rating it a five-star product!

10. Charity Fundraising Event

Hosting a fundraising event for charity can help unite your community, all while benefiting worthy causes. This Father’s Day is an easy one. Charity football scratch cards are particularly popular in larger workplaces, providing an easy and effective method of raising money.

Even the group that made a mere £58 profit found the effort paid off in the enthusiasm shown by participants. The annual 5K in York, started by runner Brian Hughes back in 2009, directly raises funds and awareness for prostate cancer. It raises and creates important funds for research via York Against Cancer.

With one in three black men at risk of developing prostate cancer, events such as this one have a tremendous effect. Newquay’s Chestnut Appeal for Men’s Health is raising awareness of men’s health this Father’s Day. Just across the Irish Sea, Galway’s Fly A Kite For Mental Health Festival is putting the spotlight on youth mental health.

Conclusion

Father’s Day is the ideal opportunity to create lasting memories. From a craft beer tasting tour to a relaxing spa day, we have adventures perfect for every dad. Whether it’s an outdoor adventure or a family BBQ picnic, these moments are special. Dads who are fans of history or sports will enjoy visiting a historic battlefield or ballpark. A trip to a game is another great one too! A picturesque train trip on the way is an equally calm break from their busy world, and a virtual cooking class is an exciting new addition. Even an online charity event can help make the day special.

No matter what you pick, it’s the thought that counts! Honor your father in a way that you know he would appreciate. Plan ahead and make this Father’s Day the best yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Father's Day celebrated in the UK?

In the UK, Father's Day, a popular holiday, is celebrated on the third Sunday in June, making it a wonderful occasion to recognize and celebrate dads and paternal bonds.

What are some unique gift ideas for Father's Day?

Experiences such as craft beer tasting tours, guided outdoor adventures, or personalized gifts are all great options for holidays. These activities create wonderful long-lasting memories and show special thoughtfulness.

Are outdoor adventure days suitable for all dads?

Yes, outdoor experiences are customizable to their needs. Whether it’s hiking, kayaking, or picking up garbage along a beautiful nature trail, Father’s Day celebrations can be an exciting adventure.

Can I book a scenic train journey for Father’s Day?

Scenic train journeys are another great option for the whole family to take in breath-taking views while creating memorable experiences together during family celebrations. Plan your visit in advance to get the best seats.

What makes a virtual cooking class a good Father’s Day gift?

Whether with family or co-workers, virtual cooking classes provide an entertaining and engaging experience for popular father celebrations. From the convenience of home, dads can bond with family members, pick up new recipes, and savour mouth-watering food.

Are spa days suitable for Father’s Day?

Sure, spa days are an ideal escape for fathers to pamper themselves, making them a popular gift choice for family celebrations and holidays.

How can I make a family BBQ picnic extra special?

Pick out pop’s favorite meals for a special family day celebration, create a comfy outside space, and add some video games or music. It’s an easy but meaningful way to mark Father’s Day as a family.