Father's Day gift ideas: experiences for every type of dad

If your dad is happiest outdoors with binoculars in hand, this one is genuinely special. The Ocean Explorer runs a range of bird and wildlife boat trips from Bridlington Harbour, taking in the dramatic coastline of Flamborough Head and the incredible seabird colonies at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, from the sea.

Trips range from a one-hour scenic cruise to Flamborough Head (£15.90 per person), where you're likely to spot seals along the way, to a 90-minute seal watching trip to Selwicks Bay (£21.20 per person) - the resident seals are famously curious and have a habit of popping up to see who's passing by. For the full wildlife experience, the 2.5-hour trip to RSPB Bempton Cliffs (£37.10 per person) is outstanding: gannets diving at speed, puffins arriving in their summer finery, kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills packing the chalk cliffs in their thousands.

Practical tip: Trips run throughout the summer season, weather permitting. Book in advance, especially for the Bempton Cliffs trip during peak seabird season. Wear warm layers even on summer days as it's always fresher on the water than on land.

For dads with a love of film, pop culture and a healthy dose of nostalgia, the May the Toys Be With You exhibition at Beverley Art Gallery is a real treat. This free exhibition showcases one of the UK's finest collections of vintage Star Wars toys and original cinema posters from 1977 to1985 - a celebration of the iconic design work and art of the original Star Wars movies, from X-Wing Fighters to lightsabers.

Please note that the gallery is closed on Sundays, so this one is perfect to plan a day out with dad on a weekday or Saturday. And while you're in Beverley, it's well worth combining with a wander around the town.

Practical tip: Check the gallery's opening times and the exhibition's run dates before visiting, and consider pairing it with lunch or afternoon tea in Beverley to make a proper occasion of it.

East Yorkshire isn't somewhere most people would expect to find a vineyard, which is exactly what makes Laurel Vines such a lovely surprise. An award-winning vineyard and winery near Driffield, Laurel Vines manages the whole process from picking the grapes to bottling the wines. Their vineyard picnics are a genuinely wonderful experience: a brief tour of the vineyard and winery, followed by a picnic for two that includes sandwiches, Yorkshire crisps, scones and a bottle of Laurel Vines wine or three local beers. Slots run 11am–1:30pm or 2:30–5pm, and tickets are priced at £25 per person. 

Alternatively, if your dad loves both food and history, the Beverley Bites Full Feast Tour is a brilliant choice. This guided walking and tasting tour brings together Beverley's rich history and thriving food culture over around four hours, covering three miles of medieval streets, a lively market and tucked-away corners, with a feast of flavours along the way. The tour includes a French croissant from a local patisserie, artisan cheese from Beverley's Saturday Market, a taste of mead, a home-made pie with gravy, a local bitter served in two of Beverley's most iconic pubs, and artisan truffles to finish. Tickets are £50 per person.

Practical tip: The Laurel Vines picnics run on specific dates, so check availability and book early. The Beverley Bites tour runs on Saturdays, making it a great weekend treat to book ahead.

Beverley Minster is one of the most magnificent buildings in the north of England, and if your dad has a love of history, architecture or beautiful spaces, the Beverley Minster Explore Tour is a genuinely fascinating experience. Over the course of an hour, a knowledgeable guide takes you through the building's history, architecture, monuments and carvings, including the story of St John of Beverley and how tradition has it that he influenced King Athelstan to give Beverley the right of sanctuary. You'll see medieval stained glass, the Saxon fridstool and the Norman font, and your guide will explain why a relatively small market town has a parish church larger than many cathedrals. 

Tickets are just £8 per person and the tour is fully accessible throughout, making it a great option for dads of all ages and abilities.

Practical tip: Check the tour schedule and book ahead as places are limited to 20 per tour. The Minster is closed on Sundays for tours, so plan for a different day - it makes a wonderful gift to present on Father's Day itself, with the experience to follow.

East Yorkshire has a growing and genuinely impressive craft drinks scene, and a brewery or distillery tour makes a brilliant, hands-on gift for a dad who appreciates a good pint or a well-crafted spirit. From breweries producing award-winning Yorkshire ales to distilleries turning out craft gins made with locally foraged botanicals, there's plenty to explore.

Browse the full selection of distilleries, vineyards and breweries in East Yorkshire and find the right match for your dad's tastes, whether that's a hands-on brewing experience, a guided tasting, or simply a tour behind the scenes of somewhere he already loves the product of.

Practical tip: Many tours need to be booked in advance and some run on specific days only, so check ahead. A printed booking confirmation makes a lovely gift to present on the day.

For the dad who wants something a bit more exhilarating, Wolds Gliding Club offers one of the most unique experiences in East Yorkshire. Based at their own airfield at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds on the A1079 Hull-York road at Pocklington, and with a BGA-qualified gliding instructor, dads can soar over the Vale of York at the controls of a modern two-seater training glider.

Options include a 20-minute session from £86 or the chance to have a go at piloting a glider for £110. They fly Wednesday to Sunday all year round, and every day in summer, weather permitting. 

Practical tip: A gift voucher is the perfect Father's Day present for this one as it gives Dad the flexibility to choose a date that works for him and the weather. The club flies most days in summer so there's plenty of opportunity to use it.

Sometimes the best gift is a really good meal with the people he loves. East Yorkshire has some outstanding spots for a Sunday lunch - proper roasts with plenty of gravy, locally sourced meat and Yorkshire puddings that mean business. Whether you're looking for a country pub with a beer garden or a restaurant with a view, we've rounded up some great options in our guide to the best Sunday roasts in East Yorkshire.

Practical tip: Book your table well in advance as Father's Day is one of the busiest Sundays of the year for restaurants and pubs, and the best places fill up quickly. Don't leave it until the last minute.

Not every dad wants a big-ticket experience, some are happiest spending a Sunday morning rooting through stalls, finding a treasure they didn't know they needed and eating a bacon sandwich from a food van. If that sounds like your dad, Skirlington Market and Car Boot Sale on the East Yorkshire coast is an institution and a genuinely beloved local tradition. It's the kind of place where you can spend hours and come away with anything from a vintage tool to a piece of artwork - and there's always great food and a brilliant atmosphere.

Practical tip: Arrive early for the best finds. Bring cash, as not all vendors accept cards, and wear comfortable shoes as the site is large and you'll want to cover every inch of it.
 

Because for some dads, their best mate has four legs and Father's Day should be a great day out for both of them.

Start with a leisurely explore of the grounds and gardens at Sewerby Hall, one of East Yorkshire's most beautiful settings. Dogs are very welcome throughout the grounds and gardens on a lead and it's a gorgeous place for a gentle wander, with sweeping views and beautifully kept gardens. Just note that dogs aren't permitted inside the house or in the zoo, so keep the lead on and stick to the outdoor areas.

From Sewerby Hall, it's a short stroll to the Sewerby clifftops, one of the most dramatic and rewarding coastal walks on the Yorkshire coast, with sweeping views across Bridlington towards Flamborough Head. It's exactly the kind of walk that clears your head and reminds you why this stretch of coastline is so special. Please keep dogs on leads along the cliff path as the drops are significant.

After all that fresh air, head to The Ship Inn, perfectly placed right next to Sewerby Hall, with a large beer garden that practically edges onto the clifftops. It's a fully dog-friendly pub with a dedicated doggie menu for your four-legged walking companion, and their famous Sunday carvery is the perfect reward after a morning on the cliffs. Award-winning cask ales, craft beers and a gin cocktail menu mean there's plenty to keep Dad happy too. 

It's a simple, brilliant combination of fresh air, stunning coastal scenery, a happy dog and a proper pub lunch. Sometimes that's all a good Father's Day needs.

Practical tip: The Ship Inn is open from 10am on Sundays and serves food from 12pm until 5pm. Book a table online or call 01262 672374 to avoid disappointment, especially on Father's Day itself when they're likely to be busy.