Father’s Day comes around every year, but somehow, we never know what to do to show our dads how much we love them. If you’re trying to avoid last-minute gifts and predictable barbecues at home, don’t worry; there are plenty of great ways to celebrate the fathers in your life that will feel like a real treat!
From making family memories to special Father’s Day days out, here are CrossCountry’s top suggestions for celebrating Father’s Day this year.
Have an outdoor movie night
Father’s Day takes place in June each year, meaning that you can usually rely on warm weather and a beautiful summer evening. On a warm, bright evening, what could be better than taking your Dad to see his favourite film on a big screen outdoors? With plenty of classic movie options to choose from, including family favourites, pack a picnic and find your nearest Adventure Cinema screening to treat your Father to a movie night – with a twist.
Go on a city break
Who says Fathers should only have one day of celebration?! Why not make a weekend of it and show your Dad that you appreciate him with a special family trip. City breaks are a great way to pack in a lot of activity in only a few days away, and the UK is full to bursting with cities to visit. Whether your Dad would love a historical trip to Cambridge, a golf weekend in Aberdeen, or a cultural trip to Bristol, there are plenty of city breaks worthy of a Father’s Day holiday.
Visit a National Trust site
With more than 500 gardens, heritage houses, castles, and sites to choose from, the National Trust offers countless ways to enjoy Father’s Day this year while making family memories. Whether you’re a family with young children who love to explore woodlands or a group of adults looking to dive into something historical and spend some quality time together, there is a National Trust site for you. Some of our favourites include Trengwainton Garden near Penzance, Cragside House near Newcastle, and Moseley Old Hall near Wolverhampton.
Ride a steam train
Of course, at CrossCountry, we prefer our trains to have all the modern creature comforts – but riding on a historic steam train can be a real treat. For Dads who love all things engineering, or maybe those who love to take in the UK’s most extraordinary landscapes, what could be better than powering through the British countryside in a steam train? To get to your Father’s Day event, you can hop on board historic railways in Melton Mowbray, Durham, Weston-super-Mare, and more locations across the CrossCountry network.
Go fossil hunting
Finding fossils is a brilliant adventure for kids, especially kids who are dinosaur mad. So what better family bonding time than getting Dad involved and discovering a real piece of ancient history – as we’re sure fossil hunting is a lot of fun for Dads too. It offers a great opportunity to get outside and teach your little one’s prehistoric life. We’re lucky in the UK to have plenty of beaches that are excellent spots for fossil hunting – read more about the best places to find fossils before heading out on your paleontological adventure!
Play crazy golf
Okay, so maybe it’s cliché to play golf on Father’s Day – but it is also super fun for all the family! With mixed abilities, having a round or two of crazy golf means that everybody can play, and the creative themes and decoration at most crazy golf courses make it extra fun for this special occasion. Whether you’re going for a hole-in-one or just trying to hit the ball, all abilities are welcome at crazy golf. Explore our suggestions of the best crazy golf across the UK to find your Father’s Day destination.
If you’re travelling around the UK for Father’s Day, don’t forget to book an Advance ticket via our website or our Train Tickets app. You can also find information on how to get cheaper train tickets via our special offers page. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
The UK is bursting with fun activities. Whether you’re visiting one of the best castles in the UK, the best theme parks in the UK, or the best waterparks in the UK, you can always travel by train. CrossCountry has services running up and down the country to ensure you can get to the places you need to be.
Written by Julia