How to treat your dad to something a little different in London this year

The time of the year when it’s time to treat your father to something a little special, Father’s Day 2018 is taking place on Sunday 17th June and we’re getting ready to help you mark the occasion.

With every dad having a different taste (although most notoriously being hard to buy for), this year we’ve seen a lot of interest in presents, activities and experiences that are not necessarily your standard Father’s Day gifts.

As we explained recently in our blog post on quirky places to eat, doing something out of the ordinary is relatively easy in London – and the below is just a small handful of ways to treat your dad to something a little different if you’re in the city this Father’s Day.

Help him hone his (pre) cooking skills

Whilst dads may once have been banished from the kitchen, that’s anything but the case today and you’re just as likely to find dad in the kitchen as you are mum. So this Father’s Day, why not help your dad hone his cooking skills further, but with a little bit of a twist?

That twist being honing the skills before he even starts cooking.

There are some brilliant courses available throughout London that teach you exactly how to cut and prepare everything from the smallest of poultry up to a full cow. It may not be for everyone, but if your dad has a love for meat, it could prove to be a winning option.

Go up in a helicopter

Seeing London by walking through the roads and streets is undoubtedly fascinating. Heading up to the top of somewhere like the Gherkin is brilliant. But what about seeing it from the sky? When you’re flying into London City Airport or Heathrow, catching a glimpse of the London skyline is breathtaking – so why not take a closer look?

There are a number of companies providing helicopter tours around the city, ranging in time from 10 minutes upwards and whilst they may not be the most budget-friendly gift, they’re without doubt one of the most unforgettable.

Or along in a boat

If heading up into the clouds isn’t your dad’s idea of fun, maybe taking a trip along the River Thames is.

But rather than have someone else man the boat, why not hire one yourself and let your dad take the controls?

Whether he fancies himself as the next James Bond or he’s more of a slow-paced cruiser, the River Thames is over 200 miles long in its entirety and passes by so many wonderful sights and points of interest it can be a brilliant choice for all.

Sit back, drink and smoke

Our cognac and cigar garden at DUKES LONDON is, perhaps unsurprisingly, particularly popular. Giving our guests the option to sample a range of cognacs and cigars, it can be a brilliant way to spend an early summer evening.

Open between 6pm and 11pm, you could spend the evening with your dad between our cognac and cigar garden, DUKES Bar and our GBR Restaurant – a relaxed way to spend hours simply talking the night away. For many, there’ll be few better ways to spend Father’s Day.

Take a tour around hidden London

If your Dad has said he’s seen all of London already, it’s time to take him underground – and the London Transport Museum have just the ticket.

Operating a range of events at some of London’s disused Tube stations, the events are dotted throughout London and are all led by experienced guides. Sharing little-known tales of the locations’ histories, even if you’ve spent decades living and working in London, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll learn something new here.

Father’s Day 2018 in London

One of the only times of the year when the whole focus is on your dad, Father’s Day is a special day and one that you should look to make the most of. Your gift doesn’t have to be extravagant and over-the-top, and whatever it is, if you’re staying with us this Father’s Day, we’ll be only too happy to help if there’s anything we can do to make your day with your dad a truly memorable one.

Image courtesy of Daniel Chapman