With Father’s Day fast approaching, it’s time to put your thinking caps on and think of the perfect fathers day experiences. After all, taking on dad duties 365 days a year is no easy task – whether they’re working as a volunteer taxi service shepherding your little ones from school to dance class or dealing with the mountain of washing up each evening. To put it simply, they deserve a treat.
We might be a little biased, but we think there’s no better gift than a trip to the Lake District – where rest and relaxation meet adventure at every twist and turn.
With that in mind, here are our top 10 Fathers Day experiences in the Lake District
1. Make a splash on a white-water rafting adventure
If your Dad (or partner) has a keen sense of adventure, then a visit to a white-water rafting centre is one of the best Fathers Day experiences for them. If you’re looking for rafting right on The Swan’s doorstep, we’d recommendLake District White Water Rafting, who normally depart from Fell Foot or Newby Bridge itself!
2. Let them put their feet up at Holte Spa
A spa day is one of the best Fathers Day experiences for the dad-on-the-go who never has a moment to himself. Even better, we’ve recently opened a state-of-the-art spa at the Swan Hotel. Here, you can take a dip in the jacuzzi pool in our spa garden, or step foot in the 100% humidity steam room. Access to the thermal suite and spa garden starts from as little as £30 for up to two hours use, so if you’re looking for an affordable way to treat dad, we’ve got you covered! Alternatively, you could book one of our many fabulous spa treatments, from the Men’s High Performance Facial to the Himalayan Salt Scrub ritual.
3. Treat them to a mouth-watering roast dinner
Father’s Day should also be a treat for the senses, and we’d love to welcome you to the Swan Inn or Brasserie, where you can sample our world-famous roast dinner, complete with lashings of gravy and absolutely no washing up.
4. Make memories at Graythwaite Adventure
There are always new sites to explore or adventures to seek in the Lake District. At Graythwaite Estate, you’ll find that there are endless activities for the whole family to enjoy this Father’s Day. From practicing your aim at clay pigeon shooting to testing your outdoor survival skills at a Bushcraft session, there’s plenty of choices for the wild at heart dads.
5. Let them captain their own boat for the day
The Lake District is (obviously) known for its lakes, and there’s no better way to experience them than from a boat. Discover the beauty of Windermere from the water itself with Windermere Lake Cruises boat hire.
6. Soak up some history at a local museum
The Lake District has a rich and varied history, which means there are also plenty of historical hotspots that you might want to visit during your time here. We’d recommend the Lakeland Motor Museum if Dad likes to spend a lot of time behind the wheel, or take a trip to the Windermere Jetty Museum, a vibrant, family-friendly place dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.
7. Explore the countryside on a family hike
Spending Father’s Day exploring the Lake District doesn’t have to be expensive – in fact, it doesn’t have to cost you a single penny. There are plenty of stunning Lake District walks for you to try out – just be sure to pack plenty of snacks to enjoy along the way. Check out our blog on The Best Walks in the Lake District.
8. Let them pull a pint at a local brewery
Real Ale is one of the UK’s finest exports, meaning that there are plenty of breweries in the Lake District where you can pull a pint or learn more about how these delicious drinks are made. We’d recommend checking out Ulverston Brewing Company or Hawkshead Brewery for an authentic behind-the-scenes look at real ale production. Or, if spirits are more your game, head over to the Lake’s Distillery and enjoy a fabulous whiskey tasting.
9. Get creative at a pottery café
If you want to bring home a lasting memory from your trip, why not visit a pottery cafe? This way, the whole family can put their creativity to the test and take a little piece of the Lakes home with you.
10. Treat them to a good night’s sleep
If you ask any parent what is one thing they wish they could have more of, sleep will probably be the answer. By booking a trip to the Swan Hotel, you’ll know that a good night’s sleep is guaranteed – especially after a busy day of exploring all that the Lake District has to offer.