In the UK, Father’s Day takes place on Sunday, 21st June 2026, the perfect time of year to enjoy a family day trip. We’ve got a lot to thank our fathers and father figures for, from the time we were babies to the moment many of us have our own children, dads are there to help us grow.
If you’re keen to show your dad your appreciation, try out some of these fantastic things to do for Father’s Day with CrossCountry.
Book a Football Stadium Tour
Take the stress out of league football for your dad by booking tickets for a tour of his favourite team's stadium. The ground is empty, the seats are silent, but the atmosphere is still unbelievable. Stadium tours are a great way to learn about a club’s history and marvel at their trophies up close (if they have any!).
With CrossCountry, you can visit a number of football stadiums. For example, the Etihad Stadium is eight minutes by train from Manchester Piccadilly.
Go on a Heritage Train Ride
If your dad is a train enthusiast, a steam railway experience makes for an unforgettable Father’s Day gift. Across Britain, some of the country’s most iconic heritage railways are still running today, carrying passengers through beautiful countryside and offering a nostalgic journey back in time.
One of the most scenic journeys is the Dartmouth Steam Railway, which travels along the breathtaking South Devon coastline between Paignton and Kingswear. You can even combine your steam train journey with a boat trip across the River Dart, arriving in the charming harbour town of Dartmouth.
If a heritage railway adventure sounds like the perfect thing to do for Father’s Day, travel to Paignton station with CrossCountry from major stations including Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, and Exeter St Davids.
Enjoy a Whisky Tasting Experience
Edinburgh is the perfect place to try the best single malt around. At the Scotch Whisky Experience, you can take your dad on a tasting tour featuring one of the world’s largest collections of Scotch whisky. Guided experiences introduce visitors to the whisky-making process, from maturation to blending, accompanied by a dram of single malt or blended Scotch whisky to enjoy.
Dads will love the old-town vibe of Edinburgh, with its cosy pubs, historic attractions, and curiosities so easy to stumble upon. Edinburgh Waverley is conveniently located in the heart of the city, with easy connections available using CrossCountry services.
Marvel at a Falconry Experience
For something a little different this Father’s Day, treat your dad to a falconry experience. In Market Harborough, Bird on the Hand offers up-close experiences with magnificent birds of prey. Their falconry sessions are designed for small groups and boast a full day (or half day) worth of avian adventure. Meet and fly hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls and then finish the day off with a ploughman’s lunch. It’s an ideal Father’s Day gift experience.
Building a connection with a wild creature may seem far-fetched, but during this experience, when you look straight into the eyes of a Steppe Eagle or a Great Horned Owl, you’ll see it’s possible. All you need is patience and presence.
Market Harborough is a town in Leicestershire with good transport links. If you’re travelling from Birmingham, catch a CrossCountry train to Leicester, and then an alternative provider will take you the rest of the journey to Market Harborough. Similarly, you can catch a train from Cambridge to Leicester with CrossCountry and make the same change.
Go Wild on a Foraging Day
If your dad enjoys spending time outdoors, a guided foraging experience could be the perfect Father’s Day activity. Wilderness Pioneers offers courses that plunge participants straight into nature.
Their seasonal spring and autumn foraging days teach visitors how to identify and harvest edible and medicinal plants safely and how to avoid the poisonous ones! You’ll also learn about the history of foraging, travelling back to the days when people used their knowledge of the land to cure ailments. Aside from being an enjoyable and illuminating experience, it’s also a highly practical one – imparting skills that you can take with you into your new life as a fledgling forager.
There’s a range of other experiences available too, including bushcraft experience days, wild medicine courses, spoon carving workshops, and fire lore sessions focused on traditional fire-making skills.
Wilderness Pioneers is located in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. If you’re looking to arrive by public transport, there are buses available from Oxford station. You can reach Oxford by train with CrossCountry from key stations such as Bournemouth and Coventry.
If you’re planning some Father’s Day activities for adults, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
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