HERE'S A ROUND-UP OF IDEAS FOR A FATHER'S DAY TREAT THIS SUNDAY, JUNE 15 16:12, 11 Jun 2025Updated 16:23, 11 Jun 2025 With Father's Day coming up this weekend, there no doubt

will be people a rushing to the shops to make some last-minute purchases for their deserving dads. But panic buying can result in a fall-back on staples which they have received many times

before. For some reason gifts for dads can be bit boring so for those looking for some new ideas of what to do this June 15, we have rounded up some suggestions which could make ideal

Father's Day treat. They include some ideas that may appeal to those who like a touch of the high life or a taste of adventure and there are food ideas too. Of course many local

which also includes suggestions around Newcastle and County Durham. Among them are details of free entry to two popular local attractions as well as outings which really prove a treat for

the whole family. AFTERNOON TEA IN A PALACE If you're looking for a way to pamper dad how does this option sound at Auckland Palace - the new name for Auckland Castle - in County

Durham? The Bishop Auckland attraction, which was once home to the Prince Bishops, is laying on a Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea treat for Father's Day which means more meaty savouries than

fondant fancies. This will be served on June 15 in its Old Library and promises a "hearty" twist on traditional afternoon tea, including the likes of beef and ale pie, sausage

rolls, cheese scones and finger sandwiches. The setting over the centuries has been a 16th Century chamber and a servants’ hall before becoming a grand library with theological books and now

an events space. Article continues below The tea costs £20 and will be available between 12.30pm and 2.30pm. A 90-minute sitting can be booked here. An extra treat which can be booked on

the day, for those who really want to splash out, are 40-minute Birds of Prey experiences which cost £140 for up to five people and includes palace entry and a digital photo keepsake: see

here. FREE ENTRY FOR LIFE As previously reported, Life Science Centre in Newcastle recently unveiled a £1.5m new exhibit and it is currently promoting a whole range of attractions which it

suggests would make a perfect Father’s Day outing - and in a twist on a more widely-seen deal it is saying 'dads go free' with each paying child. Parents can take up the offer of

free entry on June 15 between 10am and 5pm. The saving will be £14.95 on the adult cost while child admission is £11. Children under two, as well as carers showing proof, have free entry. To

take advantage of the offer, bookings can be made online, using the code FREEDAD, or else tickets can be bought at reception upon arrival. Other Father's Day gift suggestions include

tickets for shows in its 360° immersive dome. A Queen Heaven show - featuring the rock band hits, archive footage and solar system visuals - is available on various July dates for £20 while

Live Skies, showing sky without weather or light pollution, on July 3 is £10. Both offer carer discounts. HITTING THE ROOF Dads who enjoy a taste of the high life might well love this option

at Baltic art gallery in Gateshead where SIX Rooftop chef-director Greg Lambert and his team have come up with a special Father's Day lunch menu, as well as an afternoon tea. The two

rosette Michelin Guide-listed restaurant not only has fabulous skyline views from its top floor but its seasonal dishes can't fail to draw the eye too. The lunch for June 15 includes

mains of roast sirloin of Dexter beef; roast leg of Hillside lamb and roast cod and it costs from £38 for two courses or £45 for three. A special version for under-16s costs £16 or £20.

Again, the afternoon tea, £35, has a more savoury focus - with such treats as fishfinger bun; pork and chorizo Scotch egg and a black pudding with pancetta sausage roll - but there are some

traditional sweet favourites on there too, including the classic scone with clotted cream and jam. A children's version is also available for £20. Wine pairings are another option. For

more information or make a reservation see here. HOG ROAST IN MEDIEVAL GARDEN Blackfriars in Newcastle will be hosting one of its special events on Sunday and it's one for meat-lovers:

a hog roast which will be served up in its revamped Cloister Garden. As previously reported, the restaurant renovated its 780-year-old garden in 2023 and it's a unique setting soaked in

history. Guests will be invited to enjoy some of its home-brewed lager or a glass of fizz upon arrival to be followed by sharing platters of seasonal starters then a 'spit-roast

pygge' with pork-fat potatoes, fire-roasted seasonal vegetables and gravy followed by a seasonal desserts. The 2pm-5pm event costs £38 and can be booked here. FREE ENTRY AT RABY CASTLE

Another free admission offer is available at the 14th Century castle at Staindrop, near Darlington, which is inviting dads along for free over Father's Day weekend when an accompanying

child ticket has been bought for its park and gardens or Plotters’ Forest playground. Tractor and trailer rides will also be running too and a BBQ - dads always love a BBQ - will be serving

locally-sourced produce, including Longhorn beef from the estate. The grounds and Deer Park are also a lovely place for a walk. To pre-book (the usual cost for adults is £14 while child

tickets are £11 and a family ticket os £50. Under-fours are free: see here to book. SUNDAY ROAST AND PLANTING Dobbies Garden Centres is advertising a Father’s Day Sunday Lunch and Planting

Experience at its Birtley store this June 15 which runs from 2pm-3.30pm and is billed as' a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day'. It will combine a hearty Sunday roast with a

hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop and the latter will get under way first. There will be a demonstration about to create a potted herb containers and a Q&A session then

guests will get planting, using gloves and tools provided. The finished planter, as well as recipe cards, can be taken home. There'll be a traditional Sunday roast served first however,

with a pick of beef, turkey or vegan sausage roast, with all the trimmings including Yorkshire pudding and a red wine gravy. A bottle of Peroni; glass of Prosecco or a San Pellegrino soft

drink is also included. The event costs £42 per person and will be available to book online. The meal can be upgraded to a three-meat roast for £3 more while an extra Yorkie costs £1.60.

Article continues below CLASSIC CAR DISPLAY The North of England Classic and Pre-War Automobiles Club will be driving - probably very slowly given their age - into Beamish Museum in County

Durham this Sunday, for a show promising what's described as 'an incredible display' of vehicles. They will be parked up on the museum's events field near the fairground.

And, of course, there will be all the usual Beamish attractions to explore too. The car show is included as part of the unlimited pass entry. For information about passes see its website.

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