We’ve all been there, the stressful last-minute scramble for a gift for your dad as you realise Father’s Day is, in fact, tomorrow (June 16). Especially when you know you won’t be able to go into town and get him something concrete as a token of your appreciation.
Luckily, we’ve got you covered and as shopping writers, we’re pretty well-versed in spotting epic last-minute gift ideas that won’t take days to arrive. The gift ideas we are about to share can be with you in a matter of minutes after purchasing.
We’re not talking about Amazon’s (nifty) ‘next day’ or ‘same day’ delivery (although, this is an incredible option for those last-minuters, have a look here). We’re talking about epic experience days out, tickets for which can be bought and arrive in your email in a flash.
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A little more on the expensive side, they’re a treat that’ll serve as a great day out and create memories that’ll last a lifetime. Some of them can even be done together.
From driving his ideal car for miles, to a tour of Chelsea Football Club and an afternoon tea up the Thames, we’ve got a whole host of incredible experiences that’ll leave your dad well and truly spoilt this Father’s Day.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience for Two, London – £142.50
If your dad is a massive fan of the hit TV sitcom Faulty Towers, he’s going to love this dining experience that plonks him and a plus one right in the middle of the Fawlty Towers magic. Get ready to be greeted, seated and served by actors portraying the beloved characters of Manuel, Sybil and Basil himself.
It’s a comedy evening that’ll certainly be unforgettable as only a third of the night is scripted – after that, anything goes. You’ll be served a three-course meal during the event and the price of this is for two people so you can go with your dad.
The experience has gained an impressive 4.8 stars from over 600 reviews, with people who have gone before describing it as “laughs all the way” and “Brilliant, haven’t laughed so much in ages….. the actors that played Basil, Mrs Faulty and Manuel were outstanding….”
However, they did add a subjective negative: “The only disappointment was the food starters and main were just ok but the cheesecake dessert was delicious.” That being said, others called it the ‘The Funniest Evening of my Life’.
Jaguar E-Type Driving Thrill Virgin Experience – £39
Is your dad a bit of a car fanatic? Has he always wanted to get behind the wheel of a British classic four-wheeler and take it for a spin? Well, with this Virgin Experience Day, he can – in a stunning Jaguar E-type.
The car oozes the style of the sixties and was one of the first to be capable of 150mph. With the chance to drive it for six miles, this experience is currently on sale from £99 to £39 and is available at 11 locations in the UK.
60 minute Golf Lesson with a PGA Professional – £69
Does dad fancy himself as the next Tiger Woods? Or has he always wanted to get into golf?
While books and videos are great to help improve your dad’s golfing ability, nothing quite beats some one-to-one training. Why not get him an hour lesson with a PGA Golf pro? Costing £69 (down from £84), the lesson can be claimed at over 150 locations in the UK and can be tailored to your dad’s skills and needs.
Cheslea Football Club Tour – £60
For the football fanatics out there, this is an epic Father’s Day gift. Our very own Deputy Head of Affiliates Narin Flanders bought her dad a family ticket tour of Chelsea FC as a gift previously and it was a resounding success.
She said: “As a long-time Chelsea fan, my dad had talked for ages about taking my children to Stamford Bridge but I wasn’t sure they were old enough to sit through a whole game even if we could get tickets. This felt like a really good option as a gift, not least because he’s someone who isn’t really fussed by being given ‘stuff’. I got a great deal on a family ticket through Buyagift and the four of us booked to go on half term and it was a fantastic day out with everyone.
“The tours run every half an hour or so and have a fixed number of people on each one so even with it being school holidays it didn’t feel busy. Each group is allocated a guide who takes everyone round and ours, Albert Garcia, was friendly and knowledgeable making everything interesting for adults and kids alike and adding some amazing details that have stuck with us for months, including how CFC could have ended up being KFC as when it was established there was a debate over whether it should be named for nearby Kensington borough.
“We got to see and take photos of all iconic areas of the club – we especially loved taking questions in the press room and my son got to lead out the group from the dressing room onto (the edge of!) the pitch, waving at the camera and seeing his face come up on the big screen. Meanwhile, I loved the fact the women’s game and the legend that is Fran Kelly got a mention, while the away changing room had a small nod to one of Chelsea’s most famous fictional captains – Ted Lasso’s Roy Kent.
“It is genuinely one of the most fun multi-generational days out we’ve had and even members of the family less into football enjoyed it. We’d absolutely go again.”
The Chelsea Stadium Tour family ticket is currently 25% off at £60 on Buyagift in time for Father’s Day, but shoppers can get an additional 20% off with the code DAD20 on all orders this weekend taking the price to £48. If they’re more of a Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspurs fan, you can get a similar gift here on Virgin Experience Days.
London Afternoon Tea Cruise on the River Thames
You might have thought that you can’t beat a delectable, indulgent, delicious afternoon tea that’ll fill you up on finger sandwiches, tea and of course, cake. But we think you may just be able to if you add a tour of London via a river boat into the mix.
Perfect for visiting family, this London-based patisserie-based boat experience run by City Experiences is a total treat and a great day out and starts at £55. Scoff a selection of delicate sandwiches, savoury scones with clotted cream and jam, cake and tea as you glide along the River Thames, taking in the iconic monuments and landmarks of the city that never sleeps.
Narin Flanders took her family on one of these cruises and said: “Service on the boat is a finely honed machine. Waiters came by to take orders for teas, coffees, milk and juice for the children within minutes of us setting off and we were soon all enjoying a drink while my dad happily pointed out the different bridges we were passing.”
She added: “Each cake stand served two and came with four types of sandwich, four mini cakes and a scone with clotted cream and jam for each person. Veggie, vegan and gluten-free options are all available, although we went with the standard option. Interestingly – and much to the children’s glee – the portion sizes were the same for adults and children.
“All the sandwiches were freshly made, no curled edges here, with the chicken salad and smoked salmon and cream cheese proving most popular with everyone. Cake options included tiny tarts topped with fruit, cheesecake bites, macarons, a very chocolatey ganache cake and a tiny coconut option.”
City Cruises afternoon teas in London run for 90 minutes and start at £55 for adults and £45 for children. Under 2s can go free.
50 minute massage – £49
Hardworking dads need a break too and if your old man is a sucker for a spa experience, why not indulge him in a bit of a pamper session with a 50 minute massage to help him destress after a long week’s work? Costing £49 down from £59 at Buyagift.co.uk, this treatment can include one of the following options: a deep tissue massage, sports massage, Swedish massage and maternity massage – although you can probably disregard the latter for your dad.
Run by The Massage Company, this voucher is redeemable at nine locations across the UK and, if requested, can be upgraded for a small cost to include an additional treatment like hot stones, aromatherapy and more.