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This year’s Father’s Day is Sunday 19 June, just two days before the official longest day of the year. That means lots more hours of daylight with your dear old dad so why not make it something to remember? Last year and the year before were wash-outs, for obvious reasons, so this is the time to do something special.
And it doesn’t have to be expensive, we have some pocket-friendly options below, depending on what pops is a fan of. The great outdoors? We’ve got you covered. Football? Tick. Cinephile? Check out our expert list of films, taking in everything from chin-stroking arthouse fare to blockbuster smashes (no, not that Blockbuster).
Food and drink treats are always a winner, so we’ve picked out some of the best father-friendly restaurants and pubs and events to explore this late-June weekend. The weather has been… unimpressive lately, but we’re sure the heavens are just holding back the good stuff as a treat for our good old dads.
And Father’s Day isn’t just another made-up gimmick to sell products and greeting cards, it actually dates back to the Middle Ages, so show some respect for papa and treat him to something nice. We all know dads are difficult to buy for – how many JFK documentaries can one man watch? – so an experience-led gift is the way forward, whether that be a nice meal or a high-octane day out with the family.
Here are our picks
Bundobust Manchester, 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AG - Visit now
If you have a socially-conscious dad (and if so, fair play), we recommend veggie-heaven: Bundobust. The tapas-style curry menu is divine, and the absence of proper plates or cutlery will leave him feeling truly at one with the earth.
A great one if your dad’s got a penchant for both art and the great outdoors. The North is home to more than its fair share of iconic outdoor artworks – discover the best of them here.
Whistle Punks Axe Throwing, Unit 20, Atrium level, Great Northern Warehouse, 235 Deansgate, , Manchester , Lancashire, M3 4EN - Visit now
Every dad secretly thinks they could live off the land, fishing and chopping wood and training up an army of wolves to protect the family homestead. It’s abject nonsense, of course, most dads can’t even use the TV remote correctly but humour the old bloke. Test his axe skills over at Great Northern and be a good sport, let him win at least once.
World Heritage Sites tell the story of this country’s unique contribution to the world. More than playing its part in that story, the North is home to many natural, cultural, historical and scientific Sites of international interest, and they’re right on your doorstep! Pick one or two from our guide and take your dad on a trip to remember.
Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories, Rayrigg Road, Windermere,, Cumbria, LA231BN - Visit now
All dads like boats, right? What better than a brand-new museum dedicated to the simple, timeless pleasure of boating on the banks of one of England’s largest and most picturesque lakes? You could even go for a hearty walk after and pretend to let him to be in charge of the map.
It’s a good bet that the majority of dads like a pint, or just like kicking back in a pub reading the paper. Do your duty and join him at one of these top-tier establishments.
Take your dear old dad out to one of the many excellent cinemas dotted around the North and take in a big-screen experience that he’ll waffle on about for years.
Top tip: if you see your dad early in the morning, you get the rest of the day to do something fun – fill up on high-energy grub then get out and get active.
Whether it will actually ever touch a needle or not is irrelevant, let your dad relive the youthful joy of unwrapping a fresh slab of vinyl.
Rapha Clubhouse Manchester, 5 St Ann’s Passage, Manchester, M2 6AD - Visit now
Cycling culture in Britain has exploded over the last decade or so, with dads the least able to resist the allure of the Lycra. Your average man having a midlife crisis is far more likely to be found comparing the weight of the forks on his carbon fibre road bike than he is thumbing the pages of a Mazda MX-5 sales manual. This is (mostly) a good thing and should be encouraged. Stop by Manchester’s Rapha Clubhouse and make sure he’s kitted out in the most stylish finery for those gruelling hill climbs.
Utility Gift Shop, 128 Oxford Road, University Green, Manchester, M139GP - Visit now
Utility Gift Shop on Oxford Road is all about products that are new, unique, quirky and cool… Just like your dad! We recommend the Kinto Travel Mug, Vitra Toolbox and Rains Wash Bag. Check out our guide to independent shops in Manchester for more ideas.
Give it a heartfelt, handwritten inscription and you can’t go wrong with a book. It’s also a great excuse to spend an afternoon sifting through some of Manchester’s best independent bookshops, if ever you needed one.