NEW Bamboo Bicycle Club Home Build Kit
Often found covered in oil fiddling with old bikes here and there, has Dad ever thought of building his own? After successfully running workshops for two years, Bamboo Bicycle Club have just launched ‘Build Your Own’ kits so you can construct your own at your own pace at home. Kits include everything you need to build your bespoke frame to fit your own geometry and personal style, all parts and a manual to guide you through every step to get you pedalling away on your own model in no time.
£320.00 + P&P
Black Mountain Smokery Meat Hamper
For the red-blooded carnivore why not treat Dad to Black Mountain Smokery’s meaty goodies? Choose whole hams to tapas, cured or smoked meats such as Welsh Dragon sausage or welsh beef. Or give in and buy the lot – the Smoked Meat Hamper which includes goose, duck and chicken breast, pork sausages, quail and cranberry sauce all presented in an elegant hamper box, so all the hard work is done for you, now just for the card…
£60.00
TIPPLES
NEW Seaweed Gin
Dad may think he’s tried it all but this oceanic concoction might surprise him. This NEW organic seaweed gin is distilled alongside herbs and spices that are typically chosen to compliment seafood, and once brought down to drinking strength (using their own spring water) it is infused with seaweed gin handpicked from New Quay – a sort of ‘Gin and Sea’ if you will…
Bottles from £4.95
NEW Harp Cottage Father’s Day Hamper
This brand new (launched June 2014) 17th-century stone cottage are welcoming Father’s Day guests with a hamper of ales from local breweries. Located in the charming and tranquil village of Old Radnor, this is a great choice for Dad if he simply wants to sip on a beer and…do nothing.
From £350 per week (sleeps 5)
Penderyn Whisky
If Dad likes nothing better than sipping away at a scotch at the end of the day, forget the big names and watch him marvel at the taste of this boutique Welsh ‘wysgi’. Penderyn produces just one cask per day of their finest malted barely spirit so it really is something special for a whisky loving father on Father’s Day, or if he’s really keen why not go with him on a tour of the distillery?
Bottles from £7.09
Three of the best: organic British wine
Although a french name would be the easy choice for a bottle of red or white, think outside the (wine) box and pick a local, organic vineyard if Dad’s a bit of a patriot. The UK wine industry is flourishing but some of the best have to be the leading Three Choirs Vineyard with 75 acres of vines, White Castle Vineyard or Parva Farm for a variety of quality Welsh wine or Wernddu Organics who also produce ciders and perries too.
Harveys Beers
Being a business passed down through generations, it only seems appropriate that one of Harvey’s beers is shared between father and son. Since 1790 they have been perfecting their beers to produce some of the best ales in the country. If Dad’s a bit of a beer fiend treat him to one of their finest: the Sussex Best Bitter, Armada Ale or the Sussex Wild Hop would be top of the list.
12 bottles from £25.56
Westons Cider, Forest of Dean & Wye Valley
You may not realise it but these guys are behind the best in the business: Stowford Press, Wyld Wood and Old Rosie are the big names that will not disappoint Dad this Father’s Day. If a few bottles do not suffice, the 400 year old Westons farmhouse also offer tours of their apple and pear orchards with free samples along the way (need we say more?)
Minimum order £30 online
Daily tour: Adult £8.00, child £4.00
Stay in: Forest House Hotel
An 18th Century Grade II listed former iron master’s house in the historic town of Coleford.
Rooms from £55.00
ACTIVITIES
Be a Farmer for a Day, North Powys
If Dad becomes sick of the city smoke and craves the simpler things in life, he will relish the chance to get his hands dirty and throw himself into nature. The experience is unpredictable and spontaneous, like Mother Nature herself, and tasks for the day will be decided on the morning. From moving sheep to driving a land rover or trailer, Dad will love mucking in as much as you will love watching him bumble around the mud in his wellies.
£50 per person which includes all food and refreshments
Stay in: Ty Gwyn Farm Granary Cottage
A comfortable and stylish self catering cottage with stunning country views.
3 nights £210
Artisan Cheese Making Day, Ceredigion
If Dad is a bit of a cheese fanatic (particularly the lesser known varieties) this is his chance to learn the art of real cheese making with a Supreme British Champion Cheese maker and Seaweed Gin Connoisseur (see above), John Savage at Teifi Farmhouse Cheese. The course will only have 3 people maximum to ensure a high quality learning experience (and more for Dad to nibble on)
£150.00 for 5 hours with donations to Slow Food Cymru
Stay in: Zenobia, Ceredigion
Zenobia is a smart Georgian townhouse overlooking Cardigan Bay & the sandy beach at New Quay.
Short stay from £524
Father and Son Activity Breaks, Brecon Beacons
Nevermind bonding over pixalised sports games or machine gunning imaginary terrorists, there’s a real world to see out there where you can test your abilities and tackle physical obstacles together. This memorable experience with Adventure Britain involves camping , camp craft, cooking outdoors, navigation skills, map reading, mountain walking all culminating in the must try activity gorge walking! And what better place to let off some steam together than the natural playground that is the Brecon Beacons.
Packages cost £250 for the father and son combined for two nights full itinerary
Stay in: Maes-y-Fron
Ideally located within 70 acres of the National Park, remote with stunning views
The Origins of Cycling, Cambrian Mountains
Don’t just settle for a father/son bike ride or a new saddle, instead the Cambrian Mountains offer a cycling package that’s hard to beat for bikey Dads. The National Cycle Museum is home to some 200 bicycles, cleverly laid out to quite literally take you on a ride through cycling history; on display are bike models throughout the ages from penny farthings to carbon fibre. Once bike savvy, the area has some of the best UK cycling routes on offer, as well as mountain biking opportunities if Dad’s never the kind to turn down a challenge.
Admission: Adults £4.00
Stay in: Y Talbot
The inn organise bike rental for customers and is also certified by “Cyclists are Welcome”.
Rooms from £60
Cambrian Safaris Father’s Day Special, Cambrian Mountains
If you can’t quite afford to take him to Africa this spring, why not embark on an alternative safari in Wales? Cambrian Safaris organise trips in an old military ‘Lightweight’ Land Rover around this forgotten corner of the country with an abundance of wildlife and fantastically diverse landscape. The Father’s Day Specials include a tour of the infamous Devil’s Bridge (as seen in ‘Hinterland’) or a rough track route passing through the uplands – perfect if Dad fancies himself a bit of an explorer or simply loves wildlife spotting in the countryside.
From £25/£30 per person
Stay in: The Hafod Hotel
The Hotel overlooks the spectacular wooded gorges of the Mynach and Rheidol rivers.
Rooms from £55.00
Preseli Venture Father’s Day Weekend – 13th-15th June, Pembrokeshire
Luckily Father’s Day falls at a time of year when the Welsh coast is at its best. However, if Dad isn’t one for lounging in the sun, Preseli Venture have a thousand ways to get you both out enjoying the splash in no time. Whether it’s coasteering, sea kayaking or surfing, a refreshing day in the sea means Dad will feel years younger whilst you can (secretly) enjoy showing him how it’s done.
All inclusive weekend at £205 per person, based on 2 places booked.
Great Value Golf Package with Royal Porthcawl, Bridgend
Dad may not know it but Bridgend has some of the leading golf courses in the UK so you can smugly tell him to pack his club with this secret bargain package. During the summer months, Royal Porthcawl offer a ‘Sunday Twilight’ rate on 18 holes after 3pm. This will cost just £80pp instead of £135pp, saving you £55! (Just don’t tell Dad…)
Stay in: Fairways Hotel
Sits right on the coast and makes a great place to stopover. This means you could fit in another round of golf at another of Bridgend’s fantastic courses bright and early.
Rooms from £55
Lave Net Fishing, Forest of Dean & Wye Valley
For a Dad who likes nothing better than patiently watching the river for a bite, the area of the Severn Estuary off Black Rock has the second highest tidal range in the world. These particular fishermen are actively promoting the fishery in their aim to keep the history and tradition of lave net fishing alive for future generations to enjoy. In light of passing down lessons from father to son this Father’s Day, encourage Dad to support this age old practice and learn something new to show off about.
Stay in: Tintern Old Rectory
This hotel is a former working farm who’s stylish conversion retains many original features.
Rooms from £150.00
Meat Course, Forest of Dean & Wye Valley
This is a great opportunity for Dad to get in touch with his ‘ hunter/gatherer’ instincts. This course explores the whole process of producing meat including farming practices, slaughter, butchery and cooking. For example , ‘Rabbit in a Day’ teaches how to humanely slaughter a rabbit raised at Trealy Farm to then turn into delicious products such as pate, rillettes or confit.
£80 per person.
Stay in: Forest Barn Holidays
17th century farmhouse and luxurious self catering holiday cottages converted from original stone barns.
Brambles cottage from £3244 per night (sleeps 3)