Father's Day 2013
A dozen top ideas to treat the old chap on 16 June
Yes, it’s that time of year again where we thank the old boy for all his help over the years!
Teaching us to drive, putting his hand in his pocket every five minutes and stopping mum from killing us after we get our messy hands all over her clean carpet – let’s face it, he’s been a man of patience!
So, with Father’s Day on Sunday 16 June, if you haven't thought of a way of treating your dad, let SwindonWeb offer a dozen top ideas for a little bit of inspiration. With the clock ticking and the words 'fully booked' looming large, make sure you get in there quickly and book up for a nice family lunch. Come on, treat pops for once!
1. A gift for the family man
Cast & Present in the craft village at Studley Grange can take a finger, hand, foot or paw print, a child's artwork or loved ones signature to create a keyring or keepsake made from solid silver, stone or ceramic. ‘Love You, Dad xxx’
2. ‘For the dapper Dad’
Golf bag cufflinks from Deacon’s Jewellers – stirling silver with torpedo fittings no less! means he’ll look anything but par for the course when he wears these!
We also really like these Chapelle cufflinks currently on offer at the Swindon Designer Outlet.
Best of all, we like the price - from under £20!
Also at the Designer Outlet, Thornton's have some great chocolate-based gift ideas if you're struggling to think of something!
Plus...
If your Dad likes to keep bang-up-to-date with technology, then this is the gift for him.
We spotted these very stylish leather iPad cases from just £10 at John Lewis.
Perfect for the tech-savvy Dad!
3. Live Music
It's pretty likely that you have slightly different music tastes to your dad, but don't let that stop you from buying him tickets to see his favourite band - or the closest thing to them!
Whole Lotta DC
The Vic, Old Town
Saturday 15 June
AC/DCs music might sound easy to play, but it's delivered in a tempo and rhythm that only few can master.
If you didn't get to see AC/DC this time around then this is the gig to see!
Tickets: £6 (Adv.) £8 (Doors)
Faux Fighters
Riffs Bar
Saturday 15 June
There is a lot of competition out there but all the members of the Faux Fighters are confident they are up to the job of being the UK's best Foo Fighters Tribute band. Jamies voice is un-cannily similar to Dave Grohls, and with the Grohl beard grown his dark hair and cheeky grin, his look is good too!
Although the rest of the band may not be dead ringers for the people they represent, every effort is made to make their shows look and sound authentic.
Tickets: £5
4. Sweets
And with 200 different sweets on offer at the specialist sweet shop Sweets Galore in the Brunel Shopping Centre, you’ll be sure to bag a bargain!
5. Star Trek
There's a whole range of 'Dad' films on at the moment - Fast & Furious 6, Iron Man 3 and even Star Trek - perfect!
6. Is He A Plane Man?
RIAT 2013
All dad's love planes, right?
So there's no reason he wouldn't enjoy seeing jets, bombers, helicopters and a whole host of other aeronautical machines at the Royal International Air Tattoo this year.
It's the biggest military airshow show in the world, with spectacular aerial displays by aircraft from around the globe.
Get your tickets quick - they're flying!
7. Full steam ahead!
Trains? Swindon? Never!
If he likes railways, then a trip down to the Swindon & Cricklade Railway and STEAM are in order on Father's Day.
Wine & Dine on the Moonraker
On Sunday 16 June he can enjoy a meal with a nice glass of wine on the famous Moonraker engine at the Swindon & Cricklade Railway.
STEAM Museum
Always a good option comes Father's Day, and a real surprise if you've never been there before.
Plenty to see & do, and great for dad's, even if they've never heard of the GWR.
8. Social Bike Ride
Go on, get him out on two wheels for a laugh!
This year Father's Day (16 June) falls during Bike Week, so it's the ideal opportunity to get out there and enjoy an afternoon of cycling.
So drag Dad out of bed on Sunday for a leisurely bike ride around the South East corner of Swindon. Using mainly cycle paths, this is a 2 hour ride starting from Coate water and taking in Nythe and the surrounding area.
9. Was he a computer geek?
Now we're not talking Pac Man, Pong or Defender at the local arcade (well, yeah, OK we are!), but handheld consoles such as the Game Boy or the 1976 Auto Race.
In a new exhibition, the Museum of Computing in Swindon looks at the 35 year history of this device.
Go on, release the inner child in him!
10. Or is he green-fingered?
This weekend there's two big Open Garden events in Swindon that any green-fingered Dad would love.
Blunsdon
The Blunsdon Gardens Open Weekend is a chance to see some of the lovingly-tended private gardens in the town, and maybe get some ideas for your own!
In three of the gardens there's even the chance to enjoy an afternoon tea.
West Swindon
It's been happening for 10 years now, and the annual West Swindon open gardens show is back in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer over the weekend of 15 & 16 June.
The event includes gardens from all over West Swindon including Shaw, Nine Elms and many more
11. A Knock-Out Present
Chances are your dad's probably a sports fan, too, and he probably enjoys watching a spot of boxing from time-to-time.
If that's the case, why not take him to see local boxer Jamie Cox get back in the ring at the Oasis on Saturday 15 June?
We're giving away two
FREE ringside tickets in our competition, just follow the link below to enter!
12. Or perhaps he just wants the perfect night in front of the telly?...
Well, some dad’s think a beer, a pizza and an action movie is some sort of sofa heaven. And who are we to argue?
If you trundle from the lounge to fridge everytime he wants a cold one, we reckon he’ll be saying thanks for weeks!
Great value DVDs
We especially like the That's Entertainment store in the Brunel Centre.
With offers like 3 DVDs for a fiver, you're bound to buy one that Dad likes.
And if that hasn’t given you any ideas….
At the very least!...
Get the family together, give him a big hug and a kiss and take him out for a big, slap-up Sunday Lunch.
The best way to your dad’s heart is through his stomach – and he’ll love you for it.
Trust us!
To all the Dad's in Swindon, have a great Father's Day!
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