With Father’s Day around the corner on 20th June, here’s 9 top ideas to put a smile on Dad’s face…

A meal out will be a welcome treat on Fathers’ Day. We’ve got plenty of choice in Rutland, the county of good taste, from top quality restaurants and hotels to classy gastro pubs. Be sure to plan ahead though as the best venues will be booked up well in advance.

Browse our superb range of eateries here

Quality time

How about a round of golf at Rutland Water Golf Course or Greetham Valley, a trip on the Rutland Belle with Rutland Water Cruises, or a visit to the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust reserve on the South Shore for a spot of birdwatching — there are lots of options locally.

Say cheers with beer

Curate a collection of locally brewed bottled beers for Dad to enjoy from The Grainstore near the railway station in Oakham – the largest brewery in the smallest county. If wine is more his thing, treat him to a nice bottle or two from Oakham Wines or the Bat & Bottle, both in Oakham.

A retro gift

Treat your Dad to an item that reminds him of his childhood with a gift from an antiques shop in Uppingham. Or how about a favourite vinyl LP to play or to frame up and put on the wall? Have a browse in our local charity shops to search out an old favourite.

A good book

How about a thriller by his favourite author, a handbook for his hobby, a guidebook for Rutland walks or cycle rides, or something amusing from the humour section of Walkers Bookshop in Oakham to raise a laugh.

Make it a challenge

Present your Dad an opportunity to try something new, be it sailing, windsurfing, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding on Rutland Water courtesy of Rutland Watersports, or why not speed around the trails at Rutland Water together on electric mountain bikes hired from Rutland Cycling at Whitwell.

Barbecue upskilling

What dad wouldn’t like to beef up his barbecuing skills? Former international cricketer Matthew Hoggard runs grill-based cookery classes at Hoggy’s Grill from his base at Rutland Garden Nursery. A gift voucher would be warmly welcomed.

Learn together

Why not book the two of you onto a local one day course, such as a Willow Sculpture workshop at Tresillian House in Melton Mowbray. It’ll be a good time to bond and potentially discover shared talents!

Tickets for something to look forward to, like a trip to see his favourite band, a stand-up comedian or a comedy theatre performance. Be quick if you want tickets for a performance by Stamford Shakespeare Company as this summer’s plays are selling out fast – choose from Love’s Labour’s Lost or Humble Boy (The Importance of Being Earnest is already sold out).

TOP TIP

Ask Dad to share his bucket list with you and choose something you can help him tick off.