20 things to do in and around Cheshire for Father’s Day

Sunday June 19th is payback time. Father’s Day is the perfect opportunity to treat your dad to something special

The Grosvenor Pulford is ideal for dads afternoon tea (Image: Archant)

FIVE FOODIE (AND DRINKIE) EXPERIENCES

Father’s Day lunch - Peckforton Castle Dine out with dad in Peckforton Castle’s 1851 restaurant. Not only can he indulge his foodie senses with a Father’s Day three-course lunch but he’ll get a special gift too. £29.95 per person and £15 for children. Stone House Lane, Peckforton, Tarporley, CW6 9TN. 01829 260930 www.peckfortoncastle.co.uk

Sample a ‘world’s best’~ Dads can get a taste of the ‘best small hotel in the world’ when Restaurant Twenty Two at Edgar House, Chester, creates its first ever Father’s Day menu on June 19th. Edgar House is an elegant Georgian building on the city walls overlooking the river. It has been converted into a boutique hotel and it’s the Best Small Hotel in the world, according to the travel website Trip Advisor! Chef Neil Griffiths is busy designing the three-course Sunday lunch menu using the seasonal ingredients for which the restaurant has become renowned. Prices should be around £22-£27. You could also book an overnight stay. Their ‘Wonderful Sunday’ packages start at £239. Edgar House, 22 City Walls, Chester CH1 1SB 01244 347 007 www.restauranttwenty2.co.uk

Afternoon tea - Grosvenor Pulford, Chester It isn’t just ladies who love tea and cakes you know. This Father’s Day afternoon tea on June 19th has a decidedly masculine edge, with mini Scotch eggs, mini pork pies and beef sandwiches making an appearance, alongside chocolate éclairs, strawberry donuts and homemade scones. Also on the menu is entertainment from jazz trio Jigsaw Jazz. Price is £18.95 (£9.95, for children aged 10 or under). Wrexham Rd, Pulford, Chester, CH4 9DG 01244 570560 www.grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk

DIY ale at Conwy Brewery Design your own beer at Conwy’s brewery. You’ll spend the day with brewers coming up with a recipe for your ale and work in the small-scale mini brewery to create your own unique brew. Lunch is provided and you’ll get six cases of your own beer ready to drink four weeks later. The brewery also offers visitors the chance to be a brewer for a day and shadow a brewer, help out with the duties and learn all about the brewing process. 2, Ty Mawr Enterprise Park, Tan-Y-Graig Rd, Llysfaen, Colwyn Bay LL29 8UE 01492 514 305 www.conwybrewery.co.uk

Treats galore - The Yard, Alderley Edge The Yard in Alderley Edge is hosting a Father’s Day ‘Man’s Brunch’ with food and drink specials on June 19th. They are also putting together a Father’s Day Hamper which includes bespoke supplements for males from Wild Nutrition, raw chocolate and organic wine. 2 South St, Alderley Edge, UK SK9 7ES 01625 586962 www.theyardalderleyedge.com for further information

Land Rover experience at Peckforton Castle (Image: not Archant)

FIVE DAYS FOR DAREDEVILS

Land Rover Experience Conquer the muddy climbs, drops and hazards of this exhilarating off-road Adventure Experience course at Peckforton Castle. Hosted by Land Rover, you can get behind the wheel of one and experience the full capability of one of the cars in the range, and test your driving. As part of the Full Day Adventure package, you will also receive lunch. Peckforton Castle, Stone House Lane, Peckforton, CW6 9TN Tel: 0844 848 6001, www.cheshire.landroverexperience.co.uk

Anglesey Circuit: The Performance Driving Centre From introductory courses and supercar experiences to even a formula race car trial, there’s something for every level of driver and petrolhead at this circuit. Now in its 38th year of operation, the circuit hosts a number of very watchable events if you would rather be a spectator than racing around the track. Anglesey Circuit, Ty Croes, Anglesey, Wales, LL63 5TF Tel: 01407 811 400. www.angleseycircuit.com

Racing School: Oulton Park Described as having rapidly changing gradients and blind crests that lead into unforgiving corners, Oulton Park is certainly not a track for the fainthearted. Get your adrenaline pumping on one of their supercar driving experience days, where you could be in control of the likes of the McLaren MP4-12c. Oulton Park, Little Budworth, Tarporley, CW6 9BW Tel: 01942 270 230, www.racing-school.co.uk/oulton-park-track-days

Blue Planet Aquarium: Shark Encounter No cage or barrier to keep your distance, with this experience you get up close and personal with a shark. Absolute beginners will be taught basic dive techniques by the Blue Planet Aquarium qualified and experienced team, before coming face to face with their collection of 10ft Sand Tiger sharks. Tickets also include entry for two spectators. They can take photographs of your bravery! Blue Planet Aquarium, Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port, CH65 9LF Tel: 0151 357 8804, www.blueplanetaquarium.com

Mottram Hall: clay pigeon shooting Mottram Hall is the perfect backdrop for a morning of clay pigeon shooting. Taking place in their pretty parkland,whether you’re after a few hours of something new or a competitive round with friends and family, instructors will show you how to perfect your shot. There is also golf and archery on site if you fancy a few more hours of activities. Mottram Hall, Wilmslow Road, Mottram, SK10 4QT Tel: 01625 828 135, www.qhotels.co.uk/our-locations/mottram-hall

The Anderton Boat Lift (Image: Archant)

FIVE TREATS FOR HERITAGE AND HISTORY BUFFS

Robinson’s Brewery and visitor centre tour Don’t only drink the beer; why not learn the science behind it? This hour-long tour will take you around Robinson’s historic brewery, which has been producing award-winning beers since 1838. The tour includes three 1/3 pint samples of beer. Why not round off the visit with a lunch or a few more tipples at the Unicorn Bar in the Visitor Centre. Robinson’s Brewery, Apsley Street, Stockport, SK1 1JJ Tel: 0161 612 4100, www.robinsonsbrewery.com

Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre The Discovery Centre is a great day out for history buffs, as well as the rest of the family. Explore the wonders of the universe at their dedicated Planet, Space and Star pavillions, and learn more about the workings of the giant Lovell Telescope - one of the biggest and most powerful radio telescopes in the world. There are also numerous lectures and events taking place throughout the year. Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, The University of Manchester, Macclesfield, SK11 9DL Tel: 01477 571 766, www.jodrellbank.net

Lion Salt Works The recently restored and reopened Lion Salt Works offers visitors a fascinating journey through the life of the country’s last open-pan salt making site. The £10.23 million-pound project now enables you to explore the site and its buildings - taking in the history of what it was like to work here and how it affected residents of Cheshire. Lion Salt Works, Ollershaw Lane, Marston, Northwich, CW9 6ES. Tel: 01606 275066, lionsaltworks.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Chester Heritage Tours Hop aboard this vintage bus and take in the sights and sounds of Chester. A London General Omnibus Company B-Type motorbus, one of only three in the world, will take you on a 30 minute tour around the historic city and expert guides will give advice and tips on how to make the most of your time in Chester. Tel: 0844 585 4144, www.chesterheritagetours.co.uk

The Anderton Boat Lift Built by Edwin Clark in 1875 to lift cargo boats the 50 feet from the Weaver Navigation to the Trent and Mersey Canal, the Anderton Boat Lift is an ideal day out for boat enthusiasts. Buy a lift and river cruise ticket to take a trip on the Edwin Clark boat and experience what it was like to be lifted into the sky. Then have a trip down the River Weaver to Northwich and back. Anderton Boat Lift, Lift Lane, Anderton, Northwich, CW9 6FW Tel: 01606 786777, www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

The Spa at The Chester Grosvenor (credit: Charles Coleman) (Image: Infinite 3d Ltd 2010, Infinite 3D Ltd.)

FIVE WAYS TO PAMPER HIM

Papa pampered: the Chester Grosvenor He may be stressed or just fancy some time out, so what about a spa break for dad - he could even take your mum along too!. The five star Chester Grosvenor Hotel has a spa taster break that includes an overnight stay in one of their Classic bedrooms, a 60-minute treatment of his choice and complimentary use of the thermal suite, plus continental breakfast for £190 per person which is based on two people sharing. Eastgate St, Chester CH1 1LT 01244 324024 www.chestergrosvenor.com

One-to-one retail therapy Treat dad to a session with Selfridges’ beauty personal shopper. Des Davis is Selfridges Trafford’s new beauty-expert-in-residence, and is on hand to give your father a truly personal beauty experience. He may not be able to turn back time, but he can give your father a completely unbiased personal shopping service and be on hand to help him find the perfect products as well as keep him up to speed on new trends. The service is free of charge (but you could always splurge on some recommended products) The Trafford Centre, Manchester M17 8DA 07885 271884 des.davis@selfridges.co.uk

Finishing touches: Pascha’s Alderley Edge Pascha Gentlemen’s Grooming is a one-stop salon in Alderley Edge specifically for men. He can have everything from a wet shave and precision hair cut to face mapping and prescriptive facials. Bespoke packages and gift certificates are available priced £10, £25 and £50. 9 London Rd, Alderley Edge, Cheshire SK9 7JT 01625 404029 paschagentlemansgrooming.com

Get groomed: Suave Chester Suave has a modern twist on the traditional gentlemen’s grooming lounge. This is where dads can relax and have all their grooming needs taken care of. Does he fancy a classic Suave haircut, beard trim, wet shave or facial? With its rich wood panelling, leather reclining chairs and bar serving complimentary drinks, it certainy has all the trappings of a man cave. 5 Lower Bridge St, Chester CH1 1RS 01244 319700 www.suavemalegrooming.co.uk

Put the man into manicure: Rookery Hall Let dad be spoilt in the manicure and pedicure room at Rookery Hall, Nantwich, with views out over the beautiful gardens and countryside beyond and afterwards he can chill out in their deep relaxation room with its soft lighting and water wall. A hand and nail treatment is priced from £32. Main Rd, Worleston, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6DQ 01270 610016 Visit www.handpickedhotels.co.uk