Father’s Day in Manchester and the North

National Football Museum, Urbis Building, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 3BG - Visit now

Red or blue or some obscure shade of colour that the mainstream press don’t much care for, there’s something for all footy-loving dads at the world’s biggest football museum.

Three Little Words, 12-13 Watson St, Manchester, M3 4LP - Visit now

Treat your dad to one of the greatest Sunday roasts in Manchester. Plus, if you’re one of the first hundred visitors, your dear old dad will get a free rum drink. What’s not to love?

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.

Canoeing and Kayaking on the Mersey, Until 30 September 2022, from £25.00 - Book now

Active dad? Take him out on the river for a fun-packed ride through some of the North’s best scenery – just a short trip outside of Manchester city centre.

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.

One Man, Two Guvnors, Until 3 September 2022, from £15.00 - Book now

The hilarious, smash-hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors explodes into the North West this summer in a brand-new production. On Father’s Day it will be playing in the Bolton Octagon’s in-the-round space – well worth a trip with your old man.

Kunichika: Japanese Prints at Lady Lever Art Gallery, Until 4 September 2022, free entry - Visit now

If your dad prefers traditional rather than contemporary art, Kunichika: Japanese Prints is a treat. It’s designed for both lovers of the art of Japanese print and visitors who are new to the technique and style, featuring 50 of the master printmaker’s pieces.

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.

Hawksmoor, 184-186 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 3WB - Visit now

If your dad loves meat then he’ll love Hawksmoor. They have a well-deserved reputation as being the finest purveyors of steak in Manchester and beyond.

Breakout Manchester, 36 High Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1QB - Visit now

Put your dad’s survival skills to the test by challenging him to a session at Breakout Manchester. Perfect for those who are into high concept, cryptically minded thrill-seeking.

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.