Father’s Day in Manchester and the North

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!

The Scarborough Flyer at Victoria Station, 8 June 2019, from £109 - Book now

Glide through the Yorkshire countryside aboard the Scarborough Flyer, a historic steam locomotive bound for the city of York and the much loved nostalgic seaside resort of Scarborough.

Bundobust Manchester, 61 Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 2AG - Visit now

Last year we recommended Manchester House for the perfect Father’s Day meal, and, while we’re sure you enjoyed the shamelessly extravagant experience, maybe you’re looking for something a little more wallet-friendly this year?

No probs. How about that crazy vegetarian curry place which you’ve heard so much about? Seriously, leave those preconceptions at the door, nay-sayers, Bundobust is something special.

Alternatively, here’s our pick of the other best restaurants in Manchester and Liverpool.

Manchester International Festival 2019 at Albert Square, City Centre, 4–21 July 2019, from £12.00 - Book now

This year’s Manchester International Festival has a crazy-good line-up. If you’re looking for something you can do together, there’s plenty to pick from here.

Piccadilly Records, 53 Oldham Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1JR - Visit now

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.

If you have one of those uses-more-instagram-hashtags-than-a-tattooed-twenty-something type Dads, try Kamasi Washington’s Heaven & Earth. Alternatively, Johnny Marr’s new record is out today and they’ll be an in-store signing session on Monday from midday.

Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories, Rayrigg Road, Windermere,, Cumbria, LA231BN - Visit now

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.

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 a (mostly) 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.

The coffee here is excellent too.

My personal favorite way to spend time with my Dad is at breakfast. Manchester is strong with the breakfast force, and has some impressive form where brunch is concerned too. Top tip: if you see your Dad early in the morning, you pretty much get the rest of the day to yourself (love you Dad).

Give it a heartfelt, handwritten inscription and you can’t really go wrong with a book. Also, it’s Independent Bookshop Week so you can buy now and post about how great you are on the Internet next week. You’re welcome.

The Briton’s Protection, 50 Great Bridgewater St, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 5LE - Visit now

If all else fails, what could be better than taking your Dad for a pint? There’s many-a-pub to choose from but Briton’s is a safe bet. So safe in fact that we’re reusing the same pick from 2017. From cheap fizzy lager to guest ales and a mere 300 whiskeys to choose from.

Hanging Ditch Wine Merchants, 42 Victoria Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 1ST - Visit now

Hanging Ditch Wine Merchants is on the site where either linen, or – it’s rumoured – people, were hung out to dry. It’s also the best place to shop for wine (and last minute gifts!) in the city.