For a number of reasons, we know that Father’s Day can be a difficult time for some, especially as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to stick around and so many of us still may not be able to spend time the quality time with our loved ones that we so wish – but for those who are fortunate enough to have a father figure in their lives, this is a special day to celebrate a special person.
With just over a week to go before it’s finally here, plenty of independent businesses right across the region are pulling out all the stops, launching deals and stocking up on gifts galore ready for the big day.
Father’s Day gives us yet another chance to support local our local businesses as they continue to find their feet and navigate new ground.
If you’re looking for some gift inspiration, or a unique way to spend the day, here’s some of the best we’ve seen.
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Gifts
From hand-crafted sweet treats and a tapas tasting experience, to luxury themed hampers and so much more, there’s a lot to choose to from.
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Hip Flask
Father’s Day Craft Beer Box
£20
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The perfect gift for any Manc dad.
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Independent drinks delivery company Hip Flask is inviting you to “give the gift of beer this Father’s Day” with a curated box filled with Manchester’s finest craft beers.
Featuring tasty beers from a selection of Manchester’s best breweries, this is a gift for the Dads out there that were wetting your head whilst you were being born, with each box containing six craft beers, as well as a specially-designed card and the option to add a free personalised message at checkout.
“Leave the socks – get them something they actually want this year”.
You can place your order in time for Father’s Day here.
Tillys Fudge
Father’s Day Belgian Box
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£24.50
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If there’s one thing that independent Manchester-based company Tillys Fudge knows, it’s that “dads love fudge”, so it’s put together a delicious ‘Belgian Box’ filled with a selection of fan-favourite flavours especially for Father’s Day.
Each box contains a mixture of Belgian chocolate shapes filled with, Malted Madness, vanilla, rum & raisin, mint, orange, Lotus Biscoff, and butterscotch – and you also get to select one full size bar which is stamped with a ‘Happy Father’s Day’ message, choosing from salted caramel or brandy.
There’s only a limited amount available, and you can place your order in time for Father’s Day here.
DrinkWell
Father’s Day IPA Bundle
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£18.95
DrinkWell
Especially for the IPA lovers this Father’s Day, DrinkWell is offering an exclusive bundle of 10 DrinkWell Heracles IPA’s, alongside a DrinkWell bar blade, two DrinkWell Beer Glasses and a bottle cooler chucked in for free.
The brand new DrinkWell IPA has seen the brand take everything it’s learned about low carb beer over the past eight years to create its own, and with over 35% fewer calories than other IPAs, this is the first “reduced calorie and carb IPA” ever produced in the UK.
You can place your order in time for Father’s Day here.
Hotel Football
Football Lover’s Hamper
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£100
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Is your old man a United fan?
Manchester’s iconic football-themed hotel has got you covered then, as you can give your dad “the ultimate football lover’s gift” of a Father’s Day hamper filled to the brim with all things Hotel Football, Cafe Football, and Class Of 92.
As well as whole host of exciting gifts and memorabilia, each hamper also comes with the extra special addition of a Stanley Chow caricature print of, and signed by, your dad’s favourite CO92 player.
You can even upgrade the hamper to include the Lunch & Tour or Tea & Tour vouchers – offering a great dining experience overlooking Old Trafford, followed by a tour of the iconic stadium and museum.
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You can place your order in time for Father’s Day here.
Abeja Tapas
Abeja Board-in-a-Box
£22.50 – £38
Abeja Tapas
Abeja Tapas’ “indulgent tapas boxes” are perfect for showing your dad “how much you love him in style and making him feel really special” as they are made up of selected products from independent producers from Granada. Manchester’s smallest tapas bar has established direct relationships with many local artisans to bring only the tastiest and truly authentic produce of southern Spain.
All tapas hampers are beautifully-prepared by hand, and are wrapped up in eco-friendly or compostable packaging, and can be ordered for collection or UK-wide delivery.
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You can place your order in time for Father’s Day here.
Decent Drop
Father’s Day Gift Boxes
£25 – £50
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Here’s your chance to show your appreciation through wine, cheese and more.
Whether it’s your dad, someone else’s dad, or someone you wish was your dad, independent Manchester-based company Decent Drop has got a few great options lined up to make Father’s Day extra special.
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Depending on your budget, you can chose from the Bearded Trio (£25) – with comes with x3 Trashumante wines, with handsome bearded chaps on the label – the Wine & Cheese Gift Box (£25) – which comes with one bottle of wine, 2 x 150g cheeses, and a miniature of whisky – or the Dad Box Special (£50) – which comes with x3 bottles of wine, 3 x 150g cheeses, a miniature of whisky and port and a cut glass whisky tumbler.
You can place your order in time for Father’s Day here.
Nibble NQ
Father’s Day Collection
£19.50 – £50
Nibble NQ
If your dad’s got a sweet tooth, then Nibble NQ’s got you covered this Father’s Day, with everything from treat boxes filled with a wide variety of cakes, to at-home afternoon teas (with a vegan option also available), brunch hampers, brownie boxes, and so much more, all made with love and available for UK-wide delivery.
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You can place your order in time for Father’s Day here.
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Activities
If experiences and making memories are on the top of your agenda instead, we’ve picked out some of the best things to do and deals to take advantage in Manchester this Father’s Day.
Food Sorcery
Big & Little Cooks – Father’s Day
£120
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Food Sorcery
Didsbury’s very own cookery school Food Sorcery is offering the chance to work with a dedicated chef and join them for an “inspiring afternoon” of parents and children cooking together on Father’s Day.
This class is about spending time together doing an activity which requires working as a team.
With a bunch of different options on the menu – featuring everything from homemade pasa carbonara, to plaited loaves and chicken cordon bleu – you will prepare a main course, a side dish and dessert, before it’s then time to enjoy your meal together.
All ingredients, refreshments and glass of wine or beer for the adults will be included in the ticket price – and you can book onto the Father’s Day class here.
Point Blank Shooting
Father’s Day Bottomless Brunch
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£35pp
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If you’re looking for a unique way to spend Father’s Day in the city centre, then Point Blank Manchester’s ‘Bottomless Brunch’ definitely fits the bill.
In an attempt to “make Sundays as cool as Saturdays”, the shooting simulator bar’s 90-minute bottomless brunch events take place every weekend and combine pizza, prosecco, beer and shooting all rolled into one – but especially for Father’s Day, all dads will be able to get a gun upgrade free of charge.
You can find more information and book onto the Father’s Day event here.
Nelson’s Distillery
Gin & Vodka School / Talk & Taste
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£20 – £155
Nelson’s Distillery
Nelson’s Distillery at Clayton Hotel Manchester has a selection of events that are a perfect gift / experience for Father’s Day.
As part of the Gin & Vodka School experience – which runs from 1-5pm – attendees get to make one 70cl bottle of Gin/Vodka per still, taste three of Nelsons Gins with tonic each, enjoy an afternoon tea-style lunch provided by the hotel, as well as have a talk about the social history of gin.
The Talk & Taste sessions are a one-hour condensed version of this experience, which also include the chance to taste three of Nelsons Gins with tonic each.
You can book your tickets as a Father’s Day gift here.
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Rendition
Father’s Day Selected Menu
Rendition MCR
One of the city centre’s newest independent eateries, Rendition – a premium restaurant and bar aiming to revolutionise the Manchester food and drink scene – opened it’s doors earlier this month, and is offering up a selected menu of some of its classic dishes especially for Father’s Day.
Inspired by the “desire to celebrate regional ingredients”, Rendition serves locally-sourced and inspired dishes that champion British produce.
Highlights of the modern British menu include locally-sourced oysters served with shallots, vinegar, tabasco and lemon, North Yorkshire potato croquettes and tomato jam – which are both designed for the table to share – and so much more.
The Father’s Day selected menu will be served up from 12 – 4pm, and then the restaurant’s full menu will be available from 4pm – late.
Father’s Day also happens to fall on the day where the group stage of European football’s flagship tournament Euro 2020 continues, so for any dad who’s a footie fan, there couldn’t be a better way to spend a day in the city centre.
While England may not be playing on Father’s Day itself, there’ll still be screenings of Sunday’s fixtures in a number of venues, as Manchester is a city that’s obsessed with football, so understandably, there’s plenty of places going all out for it this year.
If you’re looking for recommendations for some of the best places to catch a match with your dad this Father’s Day, we’ve knuckled down and done the leg work for you.
You can find 20 of the best spots to watch Euro 2020 in Manchester city centre here.
Sunday Roast
Manchester City Centre
The Refuge
What’s a Sunday without a roast dinner?
A roast is held dear to the hearts of many Mancunians, as this quintessentially British meal marks a time to gather your nearest and dearest around the table to tuck into one of the heartiest meals you’ll probably have all week – and there’s no better time to do that than on Father’s Day.
We’re absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to independent eateries to enjoy a roast in across our region, but considering this day is all about the father figures in our life, why not let dad pick?
Are you after some roast recommendations? We’ve picked out eight of the best places in Manchester city centre to choose from here.
Featured Image – Hip Flask
Manchester
The best Sunday roasts in Greater Manchester according to the Good Food Guide 2024
Daisy Jackson
The Good Food Guide has named the best Sunday roasts in the UK and there’ve been a few nods for Greater Manchester (naturally).
After 18,000 public nominations, the guide and its team of inspectors have pulled together a list of the very best roasts around the country.
While the overall top spot went to The Abbey Inn in North Yorkshire, there were plenty of shouts for roasts in the North West.
Shrub in Chester took home Best Vegan, with judges saying ‘You miss nothing and gain everything’ with its brilliant trimmings.
And although it’s one of the London branches that was technically listed, Blacklock nabbed the title of having the best Sunday roast for group dining.
Blacklock recently opened its first restaurant here in Manchester, serving traditional chop house food with a modern twist.
The Good Food Guide said: “Unrivalled if you’re with a group of friends, this Canary Wharf chophouse (part of a small London group, with a Manchester outpost), is considered a ‘Sunday wonderland’ by its many fans.
Blacklock has been listed in the Good Food Guide’s Best Sunday Roasts list. Credit: Supplied
“With ‘super-accommodating staff’ and roasts that are ‘almost as good as mum’s’ (their words), it’s a star turn. Order the ‘all in’ sharing feast, which comprises a trio of ‘succulent’ dry-aged beef rump, lamb and pork loin with gigantic yorkies, duck-fat roast potatoes and limitless gravy.”
Another cosy spot in Marple Bridge in Stockport also made the Good Food Guide’s Sunday roast list, hailed for its fire-roasting.
The guide said: “‘Sophisticated yet comforting’ is the verdict on the elevated Sunday deal at this bottle shop and bistro in one of Stockport’s more comely corners.
“Fire-roasting is Fold’s USP, and the flames lick around everything from aged beef bavettes with ‘Yorkie bits’ and smoked salt to porchetta with Manchester ale, fennel and Pink Lady apple. Each plate comes with a wagyu-fat potato slice, but it’s worth ordering some extras (perhaps roast sandy carrots in lamb fat). Great for kids.”
Outside the Pack Horse in HayfieldInside The Pack Horse Hayfield. Credit: The Manc Group
The Pack Horse in Hayfield – which recently caught our eye with its brilliant breakfasts – has rightly been praised for its post-hike atmosphere and its ‘stylishly rustic and warmly welcoming interior’.
The guide said: “All the Sunday roast trimmings come as standard, whether you’re ordering the melting beef sirloin, the braised lamb shoulder, the venison loin or even the veggie option (carrot, tenderstem broccoli and Tunworth tart, say).
“Everything is thoughtfully prepared, full of flavour and of the highest quality, and the kitchen runs proudly with the seasons.”
Hawksmoor has been listed in the Good Food Guide’s Best Sunday Roasts list. Credit: Supplied
And finally, to absolutely no one’s surprise, Hawksmoor also placed comfortably on the top 50 Sunday roasts list.
‘The quality of the meat is unrivalled,’ observed one fan, and there were also rave reviews for the crispy beef-dripping roasties and ‘bottomless’ bone-marrow gravy.
Where’s your favourite roast in Greater Manchester?
The best light trails around Greater Manchester to explore this winter
Daisy Jackson
Well done Manchester, we’ve finally done it – with the amount of light trails illuminating our skyline this winter, you might be able to see us from space.
Who doesn’t love a light trail? The incredible views that brighten up the dreary winter nights, the synchronised wows as we gaze at the statues and figures along the way, or the hot chocolate waiting for you at the end that greets you like a warm hug.
That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best light trails around Greater Manchester for you to explore this winter.
The 10 best Christmas light trails in and around Manchester 2024
1. Yuletide – Tatton Park
A festive event with a difference is taking over Tatton Park this winter, bringing folklore stories to life with illuminated puppets, live music and storytelling.
The latest seasonal event from Wild Rumpus, ‘Yuletide’ will captivate families as they explore the stunning illuminated landscape.
Organisers say the captivating event promises to be a ‘truly magical experience’.
We’ve found a light trail with a difference for you to explore this winter – a magical world of glowing lanterns has taken over Gulliver’s World, and it’s a brand-new installation for 2024.
‘Land of Lights’ is a one-mile trail that showcases a huge array of lanterns and displays, with loads of nature-inspired enchanting realms to explore from Fantasy Forest, Ice Kingdom and Winged Wonders.
Plus you can treat yourself to a hot chocolate or toast some marshmallows on your way round, and then fill yourself up with Yorkshire pudding wraps and crumble at the end.
The Trafford Centre‘s hidden woodland has been transformed into a festive wonderland, with stunning light displays, Santa’s sleigh and, of course, mulled wine at the ready for the adults.
There are even free marshmallow toasting and letter-writing stations for the kids to get their Christmas lists ready.
Then there’s food from Freight Island’s traders, including premium smashed burgers from a Michelin chef, southern fried buttermilk chicken, cheese toasties and more. Plus, kids eat free for ticket holders when buying an adult meal.
Dates: On now until 2 January
Tickets: £8 for children, £10 for adults, £32 for families
Ignite Fire Festival is back in Rochdale this month. (Credit: Supplied)
Goblets of fire, a daisy chain of flaming flowers, a firebird with blazing eyes and even fire eaters – it could only be the return of ‘Ignite Fire Festival’.
Rochdale will be looking extra glowy next week when the free event by Walk the Plank arts group fills the gardens opposite @rochdaletownhall with dazzling pyrotechnic displays.
There’ll be three nights of fiery displays, culminating in the annual Christmas lights switch-on.
A new festive light maze is heading to Cheshire for the first time this December. (Credit: Supplied)
There’s a brand-new festive light maze heading to Cheshire this Christmas, and it sounds absolutely a-maze-ing (so, so sorry).
‘A World of Illumination’ will feature giant candy canes, tunnels of light, and an overhead laser show all hidden inside a festive maze. There’s much more than meets the eye with this light trail and
And the eagle-eyed amongst you can look out for hidden handles and buttons which lead to secret rooms and festive treasures.
Arguably the toast of Cheshire’s light trail offerings. (Credit: Supplied)
This National Trust site is one of the founding godfathers when it comes to light trails and has been consistent ever since they first lit up the iconic house and its gardens.
Whether your favourite part is the lit-up moat, the array of bright figures and statues, or toasting a marshmallow, Dunham Massey has got you covered.
Being an important hub for wildlife, each ticket sold helps with the conservation and care of this UK historical landmark.
Running for four nights only in December, the festival aptly named after what your Mum shouts five times a day is back in Bolton town centre.
This festival prides itself on bringing experiences to all and this year visitors get to admire ‘Gaia’.
This six-metre-wide illuminated Earth replica will be on display throughout the festival’s duration, and is a direct detail comparison of the imagery NASA utilises. Wow!
Dates: 5-8 December
Tickets: Free
Bookings: No tickets required
10. Lightwaves Salford – MediaCityUK
This Salford special has stood as one of the most beloved light trails in Manchester for some time now.
Spread across two kilometres and branded as ‘MediaCity‘s winter season highlight’, this experience features 14 different art installations that are set to be awe-inspiring.
One of the most engaging pieces, ‘I Caught a…’, will change throughout the night with a varying display of animals pictured in a cage.
Originally commissioned in 2021, ‘Through No 4’ will receive a glow-up with some innovative lights helping to really enhance this pretty little project located along Salford Quays.
Emily Sergeant -
11th June 2021 
