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Looking for some inspiration to treat your loved ones this Father’s Day? From days out and special events to gift ideas and experiences, read on for the ultimate guide to Father’s Day in Hampshire.
Father’s Day this year falls on Sunday 18 June 2023 and we’ve got plenty of ideas for spoiling your dad, grandad, stepdad, father-in-law, or special man in your life, even if they’re notoriously tricky to buy for.
Father’s Day events
Celebrate together and join in with some of the special events taking place across the county over the Father’s Day weekend.
A visit to Beaulieu, Home of the National Motor Museum is perfect for dads who love all things auto – over 280 vehicles have been carefully curated to create the world-famous collection of cars. Beaulieu’s Custom and American Show is returning on Father's Day with hundreds of American motors, colourful custom cars and bikes, live music, and entertainment throughout the day.
For some retro fun, rock 'n' roll down to the Nostalgia Show at Broadlands near Romsey and spend the day in a vintage fashion.
Hop aboard the Steamship Shieldhall Father’s Day Cruise for an unforgettable journey on the Southampton Water to the Solent and experience the spectacle of steam at sea.
Or if you prefer to paddle under your own steam, join the Father's Day Paddle to the Pub with New Forest Activities for a relaxing paddle by canoe on the stunning Beaulieu River ending at the Master Builder's pub on the riverside for a well-earned drink.
Visit Basing House over Father's Day weekend and bring along a family picnic to enjoy the fascinating historic grounds and activities throughout the weekend.
And at Father's Day Weekend at Milestones Museum in Basingstoke, fathers visiting during the weekend will be gifted a ration card which can be exchanged for half a pint of beer in the pub or 2oz of sweets in the sweet shop.
Tuck in this Father’s Day
Hampshire is famous for its abundance of fine-dining restaurants and atmospheric pubs, so there are plenty of places to choose from for a Father’s Day lunch or dinner. If you are looking for a place to eat out together, see our guides to the best restaurants and pubs in Hampshire.
See our guide to restaurants in Hampshire
View our guide to pubs in Hampshire
Prefer to eat al fresco? Choose from our handpicked list of pub and beer gardens in Hampshire.
Say cheers to the dads
Whether that special man in your life is a wine lover, a beer fan, or a cocktail enthusiast – raise a glass with him at one of Hampshire’s breweries, vineyards, or cocktail experiences.
Indulge in the best vineyards and breweries that Hampshire has to offer. Take him on a tour of the Andwell Brewing Company, spend the day tasting the award-winning wines that are produced in Hampshire’s vineyards, or shake up some drinks at the world-famous Bombay Sapphire Distillery.
See our guide to Vineyards in Hampshire
See our guide to Breweries and Distilleries in Hampshire
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Visit a gorgeous garden
June is a glorious time of year for visiting gardens in Hampshire, and if your dad enjoys his gardening, a visit to the rose season at Mottisfont this time of year is a must.
There are also several events taking place over the Father’s Day weekend in Hampshire, perfect for the green-fingered – it’s the 30th Anniversary of the Unusual Plants Fair! at Gilbert White's House & Gardens and in Alverstoke Village, situated on the Hampshire Solent, the Alverstoke Garden Walkabout will see residents opening their private seaside gardens to visitors over the weekend.
See more glorious gardens in Hampshire
Go for a spin or take a hike
Father’s Day is also one of the longest days of the year so it’s the perfect opportunity to pack up the bikes or lace up your walking shoes and head out on an outdoor adventure together.
Whether you fancy a leisurely Father’s Day walk or a challenging bike ride, Hampshire has hundreds of footpaths and cycleways to choose from.
Find out more about the cycling routes in Hampshire
See our guide to walking and hiking in Hampshire
See family-friendly walks in Hampshire
See all family cycling routes in Hampshire
Take to the water and make a splash
Falling on a beautiful midsummer Sunday, Father’s Day is a great day for spending in or near to the water and there are plenty of opportunities to take to the plunge in Hampshire.
Make a splash together at the New Forest Water Park, go sailing in the Solent, try stand-up paddle boarding along the county’s coastline, or enjoy a day out at the beach.
Find out more about water sports in Hampshire
Stand-up paddle boarding in Hampshire
Find out more about sailing in Hampshire
Find out more about beaches in Hampshire
Father’s Day gift vouchers and experiences
If you can’t treat them on the day, give dad, grandad, or the special man in your life, something to look forward to with a gift voucher or experience this Father’s Day.
Many of Hampshire’s famous attractions including Thruxton Motorsports Centre, Hawk Conservancy Trust, and the Watercress Line, all offer gift and experiences vouchers.
For daring dads the Spinnaker Tower has 30% abseiling experience gifts this Father’s Day – a 100-metre descent down the side of Portsmouth’s iconic landmark.
Or, if he enjoys his sport, how about tickets to the cricket at The Ageas Bowl, football in Southampton or Portsmouth, or driving experiences, golf experiences and fishing experiences all over the county.
Find out more about cricket in Hampshire
Find out more about football in Hampshire
Find out more about driving experiences in Hampshire
Find out more about golf in Hampshire
Find out more about fishing in Hampshire
If you’re visiting Hampshire in June, why not stay a little longer and extend Father’s Day to a Father’s Day weekend or week. Take a look at our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
See what events are on in Hampshire this Mother’s Day
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Follow our Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook pages for lots more ideas and inspiration for what’s happening in Hampshire. We’d love to see your photos of visiting and enjoying the county so please tag us in your pics.
Related
We are pleased to announce the return of the Custom & American Show on Father's Day Sunday 18th June, returning with hundreds of cool American motors, colourful custom cars and bikes, live music and hip entertainment throughout the day.
This event is set to return in 2025 A music festival like no other, providing a mixture of good-ole-fashioned fun, vintage and retro style with a hint of kitsch! The Nostalgia Show comes to Romsey and brings whimsical charm and British eccentricity.
Steam down Southampton Water to the Solent, passing Cunard's Queen Victoria in berth, always the chance to sound the whistle and play the 'Shieldhall Organ'!
Treat your Papa to a relaxing paddle on the stunning Beaulieu River this Father's Day with New Forest Activities. Enjoy paddling together through the Beaulieu River Nature Reserve as a family, ending at the Master Builder's pub on the riverside where Dad can wet his whistle with a nice cold beer. Boating and bevvies - the perfect combo for deserving Dads this Father's Day! See the New Forest Activities website for available dates and times.
Wander the cobbled streets and immerse yourself in our living history. Fathers visiting during the weekend will be gifted a ration card which can be exchanged for half a pint of beer in the pub or 2oz of sweets in the sweet shop.
Andwell Brewing Company is an award winning brewery located in Andwell, Hampshire, producing quality, consistent and memorable ale and lagers. Having started brewing in October 2008, they have gained a reputation for great products and customer support.
The Bombay Sapphire Distillery based at Laverstoke Mill in rural Hampshire, just 15 miles from Winchester and 10 miles from Basingstoke. The Distillery is in a conservation area with over 1000 years of history. The distillery showcases the care, skill and artistry behind every drop of Bombay Sapphire, and allows you to discover the flavours of the botanicals which make Bombay Sapphire gin so unique.
The walled garden at Mottisfont is filled with fragrance and colour from thousands of roses in early summer. The National Trust property is home to the National Collection of pre-1900 old-fashioned roses, which reach their peak in early summer. Unlike modern species, old-fashioned roses tend to flower just once a year, so their blooming season is an extraordinary annual sight, attracting thousands of visitors.
Join us for the celebration of the 30th Unusual Plants Fair! The 30th anniversary of the Unusual Plants Fair is set to be the biggest and most intriguing yet, so be prepared to be dazzled by the wondrous array of out of the ordinary plants!
Alverstoke residents are opening their private gardens to visitors. Interesting private gardens and allotments await your visit in June in Alverstoke Village, situated on the Hampshire Solent.
New Forest Water Park is a family run business situated just outside Fordingbridge, on the outskirts of the New Forest. They have several activities running on site, wakeboarding, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and the UK's 1st Aqua Park being. The inflatable Aqua Park now measures in at 80 metres long, 40 metres wide and has 2 trampolines, monkey bars, flippers, slides, hurdles, rockers, rollers, an overhang climbing wall, a swing, a giant iceberg(!) and much more.
Thruxton is one of the fastest circuits and one which has hosted many varied events.
The Hawk Conservancy Trust is a full day out for the whole family. Come see our brilliant birds at some of the most spectacular flying displays in the UK, changing with the seasons so you’ll experience something new every time you visit! See up to 20 birds flying at once, dramatic effects and music during the shows.
Experience the golden age of steam on the Mid Hants Railway 'Watercress Line'! Whether you are taking a trip down memory lane or making new ones, sit back, relax and travel through the heart of quintessential English countryside by steam train, looking towards stunning views of the South Downs National Park.
The iconic Spinnaker Tower stands at a soaring 170 metres tall, offering awe-inspiring 23 mile views over Portsmouth, the Solent, the South Downs and the Isle of Wight. From delicious High Teas to mind-boggling virtual reality, nerve-jangling abseils to magical weddings, there are outstanding experiences for everyone, all set against the most breath-taking of backdrops.
Hampshire Cricket's home since 2001, the picture-perfect Utilita Bowl has established itself as an esteemed international venue across sport and entertainment.
