Father's Day in Nottinghamshire

Treat your dad to a bit of Nottinghamshire this Father’s Day, Sunday 16 June. From Sunday lunch and river cruises to tempting special offers at Nottinghamshire attractions, there are plenty of ways to let your dad or father figure know how much he means to you, and we've done all the thinking so that you don't have to.

Treat dad and yourself...

If your dad is a food lover, be sure to treat him to one of the many dining experiences on offer this Father’s Day. Spice up the day at Las Iguanas and wash down your food with a free bottle of beer with every main, or enjoy quality time together over a delicious lunch at The Garden Teahouse, Clumber Park on Sunday 16 June using produce picked from the Walled Kitchen Garden followed by a roam around the stunning Clumber Park grounds. Dads will love the BBQ and Steel Band at Ye Olde Bell - you can enjoy a hearty BBQ and traditional steel band at the lovely Ye Olde Bell Hotel and Spa followed by a stroll around the quaint village of Barnby Moor in Retford for a really lovely afternoon and some quality time together.

For the ultimate Father's Day experience that your dad will be talking about for weeks, you need look no further than Son of Steak. Treat him to their signature dish, the deliciously succulent flat iron steak, all washed down with a free pint of Estrella for your beloved parent. 

There are plenty of extra special traditional treats on offer at Father's Day at Colwick Hall. The Fathers Day Lunch menu features a variety of spectacular favourites from homemade pork and chicken liver pate, to pan fried sea bass, and irresistible sticky toffee pud, all served in the delightful Byron’s Brasserie or Grand Ballroom. You could even go for a relaxing walk around the lake afterwards. 

For a Father's Day lunch in a really special setting, why not treat dad to a 3-hour river cruise? The Princess River Cruises Father's Day River Cruise offers a delicious two course roast dinner and dessert and even a drink on the house for dads, while the Trent River Cruises Sunday Lunch Carvery Cruise gives you a selection of delicious starters, a 2 meat carvery with a wide range of accompaniments, followed by a choice of delicious desserts - all against the backdrop of the stunning river. 

Visit popular attractions...

For music loving dads, tickets to the Newark Festival would be the perfect gift. This popular festival will bring together the best tribute acts in the UK, with performances from Sigma, Becky Hill, Razorlight, Lightning Seeds and The Feeling, followed by a free family fun day on Sunday. 

Dads with young children will love Father's Day Weekend at Gulliver's Theme Park - Dads go FREE throughout weekend when accompanied by at least one full paying person. Experience a wonderful weekend that’s full of family rides, shows and attractions. Gully and the gang will be here to help you create some magical memories that dad can treasure.

Legends Weekend - Fathers Day at Bolsover Castle promises a great day out for history lovers - all legendary dads, mums and little ones are invited to Bolsover for a day out bursting with activities. Learn how to become a knight or princess, enjoy fascinating falconry displays and watch tantalising tales of chivalrous battles and daring quests. You can even catch an interactive play and learn how to sharpen your swords for a Father's day to remember.

To mark Father's Day this year, the National Ice Centre in Nottingham is giving away a free pint or soft drink to all dads. The session will be running from 10am to 12noon, and then 1.45pm to 5pm with plenty of on and off ice games and activities for all the family to enjoy – making it the perfect choice for a weekend activity to mark the occasion. Tickets are also free for under 5s. There will also be free arts and crafts activities to enjoy, as well as face painting.

Get active and experience the great outdoors...

If you want to explore the great outdoors with dad, there are plenty of opportunities across the county. Celebrate National Bike Week with a cycling trip through Sherwood Forest, Clumber Park and the Holme Pierrepont Country Park, home of the National Water Sports Centre, which comes highly recommended with many cycling trails on offer depending on your level of cycling experience. If you prefer to explore the great outdoors on foot, why not meander around the lake and gorge at Creswell Crags (don't forget to see the newly discovered Witch Marks while you're there!) or stroll amid the deer at Wollaton Hall and Deer Park and sit back with a spot of lunch on a picnic blanket? If running is more your thing, why not challenge dad to the Clumber Park Parkrun, a a FREE weekly 5km event for runners of all standards which takes place every Saturday in Clumber Park? It's the perfect way for you to justify that huge Sunday Lunch the following day...

And for all of those adrenalin seekers, get close to nature and enjoy monkeying around in the trees at Go Ape or experience the very best in outdoor entertainment at the Adrenalin Jungle.

The FREE admission to some of the above attractions lets you take care of Dad without extra damage to your pocket! 

Gift ideas...

Surprise your dad with an original gift this Father's Day. There's plenty to choose from in Nottingham with independent businesses selling a variety of gifts to suit every dad's taste. Rather than heading to your nearest chain card store, why not get your dad an unusual Father's Day card that will make him chuckle? At Dukki Design, they sell special Father's Day cards and gifts that can be customised for your dad. If your dad is a keen gardener check out The Worm That Turned based on Derby Road, or go on a shopping spree using their online shop. They sell a variety of garden furniture, tools and decorations. Our personal favourites are the pure cotton oiled apron and knee pads that will protect your dad's knees when he's tending to the garden.

Is dad a real foodie? Then bake him some biscuits at Green's Windmill to show how much you care. Everyone loves an edible gift and we think you get double points for homemade ones. If on the other hand your dad is more of a real ale and beer connoisseur, you'll get all you need at the Blue Monkey Brewery Shop, starting from gift vouchers for their brewery tours to mugs, polo shirts and a wide variety of bottled beers. Finally, if your dad loves music why not head to Windblowers, also based on Derby Road, where you'll find a host of quirky music gifts. Our favourites are the drumkit cufflinks - the perfect addition to dad's work attire. For more ideas check out our list of shops in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.