Celebrate the dads, grandads, stepdads, fathers-in-law, and special father figures this Father’s Day (Sunday 16 June 2024) with our guide to Father’s Day events, days out, experiences, and gift ideas in Hampshire.
Father’s Day events
Celebrate together and join in with some of the special events taking place in Hampshire over the Father’s Day weekend.
A visit to Beaulieu, Home of the National Motor Museum is perfect for dads who love all things auto, and Beaulieu’s Custom and American Show is returning on 16 June with hundreds of American motors, colourful custom cars and bikes, live music, and entertainment throughout the day.
There will be plenty of Father’s Day fun at Exbury Gardens with a model railway exhibition on 15 and 16 June, a tree climbing competition over the weekend, and the Austin Counties Car Show on 16 June. Plus, it’s half price garden admission for dads on Sunday 16 June.
All Change at The Watercress Line celebrates the changes of road, rail, and music through the '50s & '60s on 15 and 16 June with vintage vehicles, steam trains, and sounds of rock 'n' roll, jazz, and swing.
At Southampton’s Guildhall Square, the Southampton Summer Sessions features music from Tom Jones on 15 June and Madness on 16 June. And there’s music nostalgia at the '80s Bash Live at St Mary's Stadium on Friday 14 June.
For sporting action, Hampshire Hawks host Middlesex on the same day as women's Southern Vipers face Northern Diamonds at the Utilita Bowl on Friday 14 June.
Hop aboard the Steamship Shieldhall Cruise to see the Round the Island Race on Saturday 15 June to enjoy the best views from the Solent of one of the largest yacht races in the world.
Or if you prefer to paddle under your own steam, join the Father's Day Paddle to the Pub with New Forest Activities for a relaxing paddle by canoe on the stunning Beaulieu River ending at the Master Builder's pub on the riverside for a well-earned drink.
For the active, Avon Tyrrell Outdoor Centre is hosting a Have A Go Day – Father's Day Special on 16 June with climbing, archery, pioneering, and lake activities to try.
Visit Basing House over Father's Day weekend and bring along a family picnic to enjoy the fascinating historic grounds and activities throughout the weekend.
And, during Father's Day Weekend at Milestones Museum in Basingstoke, dads will be gifted a ration card which can be exchanged for half a pint of beer in the pub or 2oz of sweets in the sweet shop.
Father’s Day food
From fine-dining restaurants to pubs serving up local food, there are plenty of places to choose from for a Father’s Day lunch or dinner with many cooking up special Father’s Day menus.
Celebrate Father's Day in style at Lainston House near Winchester, with a sophisticated afternoon tea experience, Sunday Feast with Crumbs Brewery, or a delightful hog roast paired with clay pigeon shooting in the hotel's 63-acre parklands.
If they prefer a pub, try The Mutton at Hazeley Heath, a former 19th century post office and Hampshire’s newly crowned ‘Pub of the Year’ in the National Pub & Bar Awards 2024 and holder of two AA-Rosettes.
For Pas who like pizza, PizzaExpress at Basingstoke Festival Place Shopping Centre is sure to hit the spot.
There’s a Father's Day BBQ Lunch at Solent Hotel & Spa on 16 June with BBQ food and saxophonist sounds.
At the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire the Father’s Day Feast will serve up some of the finest locally sourced produce from the English countryside on Sunday 16 June.
See our guide to restaurants in Hampshire
View our guide to pubs in Hampshire
Prefer to eat al fresco? Choose from our handpicked list of pub and beer gardens in Hampshire.
Say cheers together
Whether that special man in your life is a wine lover, a beer fan, or a cocktail enthusiast – raise a glass with him at one of Hampshire’s breweries, vineyards, or cocktail experiences.
Indulge in the best vineyards and breweries that Hampshire has to offer. Try some craft beer at the Steam Town Brew Co in Eastleigh, some of England’s finest sparkling at Hattingley Valley Wines, or shake up some gin cocktails at the world-famous Bombay Sapphire Distillery.
See our guide to Vineyards in Hampshire
See our guide to Breweries and Distilleries in Hampshire
Visit a gorgeous garden
June is a glorious time of year for visiting gardens in Hampshire, and if your dad enjoys his gardening, a visit to the rose season at Mottisfont this time of year is a must.
The walled garden at Mottisfont is filled with fragrance and colour from thousands of roses from late May. The National Trust property is home to the Plant Heritage National Plant Collection Rosa (pre-1900 shrub roses), which creates a spectacle in early summer.
This year, the National Trust is celebrating 50 years since the collection was brought to Mottisfont for everyone to enjoy.
Mottisfont is offering extended opening hours on some evenings during rose season. The gardens will stay open until 8pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in June and on Fridays 7, 14 and 21 June there will be live jazz from the FB Pocket Orchestra, plus wine tastings and wine for sale from award-winning Hampshire vineyard Black Chalk.
See more glorious gardens in Hampshire
Go for a spin or take a hike
Father’s Day is also one of the longest days of the year so it’s the perfect opportunity to pack up the bikes or lace up your walking shoes and head out on an outdoor adventure together.
Whether you fancy a leisurely Father’s Day walk or a challenging bike ride, Hampshire has hundreds of footpaths and cycleways to choose from.
Find out more about the cycling routes in Hampshire
See our guide to walking and hiking in Hampshire
See family-friendly walks in Hampshire
See all family cycling routes in Hampshire
Take to the water and make a splash
Falling on a beautiful midsummer Sunday, Father’s Day is a great day for spending in or near the water and there are plenty of opportunities to take the plunge in Hampshire.
Make a splash together at the New Forest Water Park, go sailing in the Solent, try stand-up paddle boarding along the county’s coastline, or enjoy a day out at the beach.
Find out more about water sports in Hampshire
Stand-up paddle boarding in Hampshire
Find out more about sailing in Hampshire
Find out more about beaches in Hampshire
Father’s Day gift vouchers and experiences
If you can’t treat them on the day, give dad, grandad, or the special man in your life, something to look forward to with a gift voucher or experience this Father’s Day.
Many of Hampshire’s famous attractions including Thruxton Motorsports Centre, Hawk Conservancy Trust, and the Watercress Line, all offer gift experience vouchers.
Basingstoke Leisure Park has lots of activities to enjoy all in one place including the Basingstoke Golf Centre, iFLY Indoor Skydiving, Basingstoke Aquadrome, and Milestones Museum.
For daring dads the Spinnaker Tower abseiling experience is a 100-metre descent down the side of Portsmouth’s iconic landmark.
Or, if he enjoys his sport, how about tickets to the cricket at The Utilita Bowl, football in Southampton or Portsmouth, or driving experiences, golf experiences and fishing experiences all over the county.
Find out more about cricket in Hampshire
Find out more about football in Hampshire
Find out more about driving experiences in Hampshire
Find out more about golf in Hampshire
Find out more about fishing in Hampshire
If you’re visiting Hampshire in June, why not stay a little longer and extend Father’s Day to a Father’s Day weekend or week? Take a look at our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
See what events are on in Hampshire this Father’s Day
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