This year, Father’s Day falls on Sunday 16
th June. It’s a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your Dad and the rest of the family, and there are plenty of things to do on Father’s Day in our region to keep everyone entertained.
Whether you’re looking for family friendly entertainment for all ages to enjoy or a more relaxed day for a chilled out Dad, here are our top recommendations for Father’s Day days out in Northumberland and the North East more widely.
Go for a walk
“
Northumberland Coast Walk” by
Akuppa John Wigham is licensed under
CC BY 2.0.
From the heart of Northumberland to the many coastal routes that decorate our region, you have plenty of opportunities to get active and enjoy a walk on Father’s Day. Not only is this a budget-friendly option, it’s also a perfect option for getting the family outdoors and exploring some of the region’s most majestic beauty spots.
Hadrian’s Wall is of course a popular walking route, thanks to its rich history and significance in the Northumberland landscape. Don’t worry if you’ll have younger children with you too; there are many shorter routes with easier inclines and terrains. The Steel Rig and Sycamore Gap route is a popular choice at 4 miles in length, offering beautiful views along the way.
The Northumberland coast is an area of outstanding natural beauty and as such, makes a perfect choice for a Father’s Day stroll. You can make your walk as long or as short as you like — just choose your starting point and walk for as long as you choose.
If you have the little ones in tow, play areas are located in Alnmouth and Craster, while you’ll find crazy golf and an indoor play area at Seahouses — perfect if you need an incentive for them to keep walking!
Discover the region’s history
If Dad is interested in history, why not treat him to a Father’s Day day out that explores some of the region’s past? There are plenty of museums and attractions that celebrate and recreate what life was like in the North East hundreds of years ago, providing both education and entertainment in hearty measures.
Alnwick Castle is the perfect choice if you’re looking for things to do on Father’s Day. Pay a visit to our medieval castle and explore over 700 years of history and marvel as we bring the past to life with our many
themed events.
Plus, did you know that parts of the castle were used in the filming of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone? Potter fans can explore the locations for themselves or get involved with our broomstick training on the very spot where Harry and other Hogwarts pupils learnt to fly.
Between the 14
th and 16
th June,
The Mighty Dub Fest returns to The Pastures. This Hawaiian-themed event takes place adjacent to the castle, and features plenty of family fun, from live music to fire-eating shows, VW camper displays and circus skills workshops.
Test your skills at an escape room
Image by
Clockedindk from Pixabay.
Escape rooms are a popular new type of attraction which see visitors putting their skills to the test to find and solve clues and escape a locked room in time. The North East is lucky to be home to a host of escape rooms, with many located in Newcastle City Centre and easily accessible by rail and bus transport links.
If you’re looking for something different to do on Father’s Day, booking an escape room could be a great choice. Games are usually available in varying levels of difficulty, so you can really test Dad’s mystery-solving skills, or choose an easier option for some family-friendly fun — perfect if you’re planning a day out with older children.
Examples of escape rooms in Newcastle include
Exit Newcastle and
Escape Newcastle. Find out more about the types of escape games they offer on their website.
Play a round of golf
Image by
Pexels from Pixabay.
If your Dad is a keen golfer, he may enjoy playing a round of golf on his special day. Northumberland is home to many challenging and entertaining courses, surrounded by stunning backdrops.
Magdalene Fields is one example of a picture-perfect Northumberland golf course, located adjacent to Berwick-upon-Tweed and commanding panoramic views of the coast. The course combines an easy opening with a mix of challenging holes to put any golfer’s skills to the test. The weekend price for a round is £34 — more information can be found on the
course’s website.
Another idyllic course is the Alnwick Castle Golf Club. The Par 70 course features a mix of par three, par four and par five holes, so there’s something for Dads of all golfing abilities. A highlight is the risky signature ‘Lang Whang’ hole, located at the top of the course. A weekend round costs £32 per person and you’re advised to
book online in advance to avoid disappointment.
Pay a visit to the pub
Image by
Brigitte Werner from Pixabay.
For Dads who enjoy the occasional beer, you can’t go past raising a pint in the pub on Father’s Day. Why not take Dad out for his lunch and treat him to his favourite tipple?
Alternatively, why not go the extra mile and arrange a brewery tour? There are some brilliant breweries based in our region, such as Wylam Brewery for example. The 30 barrel micro brewery produces a large range of beers and ales. During the tour, you’ll be shown around the brewery itself and have the chance to sample four beers. Tickets are priced at £10. Unfortunately, tours are only available on a Saturday, which may mean you’ll have to celebrate Dad a day earlier.
Tours are also available at Durham Brewery, which creates a range of cask, keg and bottled beer. Discover how the brewery has amassed over 70 awards in 25 years during your tour, and sample three beers afterwards. You can book for specific dates online, or
book an open date for your Dad to use at a later time.
Enjoy a spot of fishing
Image by
Vince Scott from Pixabay.
If Dad’s a keen fisherman, an ideal Father’s Day day out is a fishing trip. Thanks to its coastal location and many rivers and lakes, the North East is an ideal spot for a day’s fishing on Father’s Day, offering sea, river and still water fishing.
One of the most popular river fishing spots is the River Tyne — although some parts of the river flow through urban areas, a prime fishing spot is upstream from Wylam, complete with rolling banks and pebble beaches. Alternative river fishing spots include the River Wansbeck in Morpeth, renowned for its brown trout, and the River Tweed for its salmon population.
Kielder Water is a popular option for still water fishing. As the largest water reservoir in the UK, the water is home to rainbow and brown trout. Before you can fish there, you’ll need to get an Environment Agency fishing license, and boats are available if you’d like to fish away from the edge, although booking is required.
And of course, rounding off the North East’s fishing opportunities is the stunning natural coastline. From South Shields to Alnmouth and Seahouses, you’re spoilt for choice.
Explore by bike
Image by
MabelAmber from Pixabay.
Active Dads will find any excuse to get outdoors, making a bike ride the perfect thing to do on Father’s Day this year. Whether he’s a serious cyclist who wants to challenge his skills or you’re looking for a route the whole family can conquer, Northumberland is home to plenty of great cycling routes.
For family-friendly options, look to the Borderline Cycle Trail in Kielder Forest. This 7-mile stretch takes you through the heart of the natural beauty spot across easier terrain. If you’re cycling with older children, try the Harwood Forest trail — ideal for a quiet ride out, the route is 27-mile in total.
If Dad is an experienced rider, Kielder Forest’s The Bloody Bush route spans 20 miles each way. Its elevation provides stunning views over the natural landscape but be warned; its tricky terrain and difficult climbs make it only suitable for experienced off-road cyclists.
Likewise, the 120-mile Sandstone Way stretches from Berwick-upon-Tweed to Hexham and is ideal for mountain bikers — take on a section and get the adrenaline pumping during this challenging ride.
Relax at a spa
Image by
Social Butterfly from Pixabay.
A visit to one of the region’s spas is a great way for Dad to relax and unwind, perfect if he has a busy job or if he gets little time to himself. Lucky for us, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to city centre and remote manor house spas.
For a city centre spa located in the heart of the action, you’re spoilt for choice. Malmaison Newcasle is in a prime city centre spot, and offers a 3-hour men’s spa day filled with three luxurious treatments, including the life-saving back treatment. Lunch is included, so Dad can leave feeling rested and recharged.
Get him away from the hustle and bustle of city life and choose a spa set in an idyllic location. Enjoy a spot of relaxation near the coast at Seaham Hall or head to the heart of Northumberland at Slaley Hall. Whichever spa you choose, many offer spa packages, offering multiple treatments at a lower price — perfect for spoiling Dad without breaking the bank.
Of course, you don’t need to spend a fortune for Dad to have a great father’s day. It’s all about spending some quality time together as a family — whether that’s enjoying a great Father’s Day day out or simply spending time at home, watching a movie, playing board games or enjoying a home cooked lunch. However you spend it, we hope you have a fantastic day with your nearest and dearest.
Don’t forget you can
save 10% on Alnwick Castle’s on-the-gate ticket prices when you book online 24 hours in advance.