More Than Socks & Chocs: Father’s Day Gift Guide

Looking for inspiration to give Dad something with a little bit of wow factor this year? Belle has rounded up a list of things for those looking for something a little more exciting than the standard socks and chocs. From Afternoon Tea with ‘manwiches’ (yes really!), to weekends away with beer brewing experiences, we’ve got a list of exciting things guaranteed to give Dad a day to remember.

Tudor Farmhouse’s Fathers Day Weekender

The perfect gift for the Dad who is notoriously tricky to buy gifts for, Tudor Farmhouse’s Father’s Day Weekender might be just the way to show your dad just how much you appreciate him.

“This is a treat for dads who prefer scotch eggs to finger sandwiches and whose perfect brew is made from hops, not tea leaves,” says dad of two boys, co-owner Colin Fell.

The two-night dinner bed and breakfast package has been created just for Dads by the men-of-the-house at the Forest of Dean restaurant with rooms.

The package kicks off with Dads brewing their own beer at nearby Kinsgtone Brewery and wraps up with an alternative Afternoon Tea, that features meaty treats, manwiches and Marmite butter.

The two-night stay – 17th -19th June – includes dinner both nights, a make your own beer course and lunch at Kingstone Brewery on Saturday (10am – 2pm) and afternoon tea at the hotel on Sunday costs from £650 for two people www.tudorfarmhousehotel.co.uk

Dad’s Afternoon Tea with A Twist – Opera and Afternoon Tea at the Albert Hall

Treat your dad this year with a new Opera and Afternoon Tea experience at the Royal Albert Hall.

On 18th June, you can listen to the beautiful sounds of soprano Fleur De Bray while enjoying the Hall’s new quintessentially British afternoon tea menu. This includes an assortment of freshly cut finger sandwiches, sweet treats including hazelnut chocolate and citrus macaroons and peanut butter and raspberry cupcakes, homemade scones accompanied by clotted cream and jam and, of course, a pot of fine tea provided by the East India Company.

For the debut Afternoon Tea and Opera experience on 18th June, Fleur De Bray will perform tea sets from well-loved shows such as My Fair Lady, La Boheme, Candide, Hoffman and Mignon. These fifteen minute performances will run at intervals throughout the afternoon.

Afternoon Tea is hosted in the Hall’s beautiful Italian restaurant, Verdi, overlooking the beautiful views of Kensington. For an extra special treat, you can also add a glass of Moët & Chandon champagne to celebrate Father’s Day in style. To book, visit: http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/afternoon-tea/

Reading Material

Staying Sharp For Dummies is a new book to help readers maximise their brain power within the context of managing their overall health. Staying mentally sharp means being proactive—particularly as our brains change as we age, affecting how we learn and even remember information. The good news is that there are lots of things you can do to keep your brain focused and working well throughout your life, and Staying Sharp For Dummies (£19.99) offers practical, how-to tips to do just that. Endorsed by the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and the AGS’s Health in Aging Foundation, Staying Sharp For Dummies explains how keeping physically fit, eating right, managing stress and even connecting with others can help give your brain a boost to stay sharp at any age, especially in your golden years.

Looking for a bit of lighter reading? The National Theatre’s Shakespeare’s Guide to Parenting (£8.99) is full of funny, witty and wonderful observations and excerpts from Dad-of-three Will’s back catalogue. Meticulously gathered from Shakespeare’s complete works, this book eloquently guides you through any modern day parenting situation from toddler tantrums to fussy eaters. There’s nothing like a Shakespeare quote when it comes to having the last word!

Posh Preserves

The Rosebud Preserves Gift Box for Father’s Day is a stylish gift box that makes for a special present for Father’s Day. Made in Masham, north Yorkshire, using local produce and without any additives, the preserves are presented beautifully in a mottled grey box, embossed in matte black foil. Simply choose any three products from the range and they will be sent straight out to Dad. (Price starts at £12.70 for three jars and the box). We particularly recommend the Traditional Piccalilli and the Spiced Plum Chutney www.rosebudpreserves.co.uk

London’s Highest Summer Garden Opens at The View from The Shard

Why not treat Dad to something different? A trip to London’s highest garden, 800ft above the city’s skyline could be just the ticket. Brilliant British blooms have transformed the open air Skydeck at The View from The Shard into a summer oasis.

Created in celebration of The Year of the English Garden, the garden took 800 man hours to complete, with nearly 1,900 litres of soil used and 80 snails rescued (after they’d had a chance to enjoy the view!).

At almost twice the height of any other viewing platform in the capital, The View from the Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe and offers unparalleled 360-degree views for up to 40 miles.

Guests can experience the summer garden installation with standard entry to The View from The Shard until September. Tickets priced from £25.95 per adult/£19.95 per child, and are available to book online at www.theviewfromtheshard.com

Share the Love this Father’s Day with gifts from #LovePapier

Share the love by sending a card with a humorous message, a personalised notebook or notepaper from design-led, British online stationer Papier.  Signed, sealed and delivered within just 48 hours it is one of the most convenient ways to send a gift with meaning to that special Father, Grandfather or husband.

Cards – Create a special message on the front of this fun Bananas design by Bow & Arrow Press. Or add a family black and white snap for a unique polaroid photo card.  And for something retro, the old codger’s Pipe design will cause many a grandfather to reminisce.

Cahiers – Go that extra mile and create one of Papier’s brand new, personalised lined notebooks for the man in your life.  With a selection of masculine designs, choose a cahier cover from a pencil-drawn bear – ideal for plotting schemes, dreams and ideas – to a jaunty thin stripe, ideal for those who relish order.

Notepaper – For a man of letters, choose a personalised stationery set with a design that reflects your Dad’s hobby. Some of the most popular include the brown trout for a budding fisherman, the umbrella motif by Luke Edward Hall which is ideal for a city gent and a vintage suitcase for those who like to roam the globe. Add a beautiful gift box to a set of 20 notecards for just £3.99 to sit in pride of place on his desk.

A single card costs £3.35, notebooks from £12.99 and notepaper from 80p each. To order go to papier.com

Reach New Heights!

Are your plans for Father’s Day up in the air? Ideas hit a spot of turbulence? Or maybe you’re starting up at the heavens looking for inspiration?  Fear not – Elstree helicopters have a Father’s Day that literally goes above (well above!) and beyond.

They’re offering a premium experience for your dad that is thrilling, exhilarating and up and away the most exciting Father’s Day gift imaginable.  Our ‘Captain Dad’ experience is a two-hour lesson in our Robinson R44 helicopter which has four seats, so room for two guests to accompany dad for a flight to remember.

The first hour involves an important ground briefing, explaining how everything works and what the lesson will entail – fascinating in itself – before we take to the air with our fully experienced helicopter pilot Captain Paul White where dad will have the opportunity to take the controls.

The next hour will see a distance of up to 60 miles covered, flying past Warner Brothers and Elstree Film Studios and, depending on your wishes, down to Olympic Park with a close up view of the London skyline. The cost of the whole package is £599 inclusive of VAT and places are extremely limited.

Divine drinks

Originally introduced in 1969, Cockburn’s Special Reserve Port was so ground-breaking it created a whole new Port category and has since been the drink of choice for families and friends looking to celebrate those special moments in their lives. Hailed as one of the most iconic Ports of all time, it’s matured in oak casks, giving it the full bodied dry finish which made it the benchmark for all Reserve Ports. Featuring notes of strawberry and plums this classic is the perfect accompaniment to any meal.

From Dad to Dapper at Mandara Spa

Transform Dad with a traditional wet shave, facial or Balinese massage at Mandara Spa this Father’s Day. Busy work schedules and family commitments can make for tired and rundown dads in need of a little rest and relaxation. Mandara Spa, located in Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London, is on hand to give dads an unforgettable Balinese spa escape this June. The Indonesian-inspired spa, which uses authentic Balinese healing traditions to provide a range of relaxing shave experiences, facials and massages, has an ideal selection of treatments for deserving dads this Father’s day. To treat your dad to a luxurious treatment at Mandara Spa call 020 7620 7300 or visit www.mandaraspa.com.