Where to celebrate Father's Day in London

Get a head start on Father's Day at sophisticated Mayfair restaurant Novikov on Saturday 20 June with an interactive masterclass. Beginning with a continental breakfast of pastries, fruit, and yoghurt, participants will then learn to prepare a Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring grilled squid with Amalfi lemon and salt-crust whole sea bream (including learning how to clean the fish), followed by a chocolate cigar dessert and coffee. The cooking class for Dads includes a choice of beer or wine during the session and concludes with a relaxing lunch featuring a bespoke single-grain whiskey cocktail.

There's a good chance that you, your dad, and even your grandad will have seen the hit 70s sitcom, Faulty Towers. Booking in for a night at Faulty Towers The Dining Experience would make a memorable and hilarious celebration for Father's Day. Enjoy a three-course meal, surrounded by the mayhem caused by much-loved characters like Basil, Sybil and Manuel and always be prepared to participate, as this is a truly immersive experience like no other. 

Classic rock dads are sure to appreciate a visit to the newly renovated and reopened Battersea Power Station, as the majestic building is featured on the album cover of the classic Pink Floyd record “Animals.” Having been converted into a modern leisure destination, there are plenty of restaurants for a nice Father's Day meal here as well. You can also go to the top of one of the chimneys with the Lift 109 glass elevator for stunning views of the area. Afterwards, pick up an on-theme gift in the gift shop, and you're all set.

Lightroom is an innovative immersive art gallery occupying a vast four-storey space, equipped with state-of-the-art digital projection and audio technology. The breath-taking venue serves as a captivating platform for extraordinary artist-led exhibitions, employing technology to enhance viewers' connection with the art. The Father's Day shows include an exhibition by acclaimed British painter David Hockney and a walk on the moon narrated by Tom Hanks.

Regardless of whether your father is an expert home cook or has trouble finding milk in the fridge, you can help him hone his skills at the Jamie Oliver Cookery School, and sharpen your own in the process as well. There's a range of hands-on cooking classes on offer, covering cuisine from all over the world, including curries, pasta, and Mexican street food.

It obviously depends on your dad's age and spryness, but if he's an active fellow with a taste for adrenaline and a good head for heights, ascending to the top of the O2 arena's roof is sure to make a lasting impression. Whether you opt for a daytime, sunset, or twilight climb, you'll be treated to panoramic vistas of Greenwich, the Olympic Park, Canary Wharf, and more, as well as a sense of courageous accomplishment.

The Centre Point branch of dumpling masters Din Tai Fung is celebrating Father's Day with a dumpling masterclass for two – the perfect way to spend quality time with your dad or someone special. Discover the art of dumpling folding under the guidance of their skilled chefs before sitting down to enjoy a specially prepared meal. You'll also leave with a unique gift hamper to round off the experience.

For dads whose pride and joy is their cabinet of fine spirits – second only to their progeny, of course – a whiskey tasting session at one of the city's finest establishments is in order. In addition to the priceless knowledge imparted to the participants, most such experiences include the chance to sample a rare, pricey tipple. If your dad is more of a wine expert, we have a guide for wine tastings as well.

London's West End is home to some of the most stunning musical productions in the world, and treating your dad to one of them can make for a fun night out on the town. There are plenty of options to choose from in our guide to the best musicals in London, though if we'd have to choose for Father's Day, we'd suggest “Hamilton” as a modern-day classic, “The Phantom of the Opera” as a perennial favourite, “Back to the Future” for a light-hearted, nostalgic romp, of “The Book of Mormon” for pointed humour. You might want to avoid “The Lion King” on this occasion, though.

If your childhood was soundtracked by scratchy John Coltrane, Miles Davis, or Louis Armstrong records, it's time to repay the favour with a jazzy outing that'll have your dad feeling like the coolest cat in town. Check the programme at the venues listed in our guide to the best jazz clubs in London and start boppin'.

A round on the links might be just what your dad is hoping for on an easy-going Sunday. There are various golf courses within easy reach of the city, but in case the weather isn't cooperating or you'd prefer a shorter session somewhere closer to home, indoor golf clubs offer a suitable alternative. Find the best of both in our guides to playing golf in London.

Spa days aren't just for mums, as any weary father with aching joints will gladly inform you. Having your dad go for a nice steam to ease any pains, maybe paddle around the pool a bit, and have a professional massage therapist work out any kinks, and your dear old dad will be feeling ten years younger by the end of the day. Here are some of the best day spas in London.

You know what? Your loving dad deserves better than a crowded urban jungle. Pack a picnic, grab your swimsuits, and head to the beach – especially if there are grandkids to take care of as well. Our guide to the best beaches near London covers the top spots in South East England, including classic Brighton, dystopian Dungeness, and historic Hastings.

If you're looking to spoil dad this Father's Day, don't bother with the novelty socks and take things up a notch with something from Dege & Skinner on Savile Row. They are one of the few remaining true bespoke tailors on the street and have been kitting out people for generations. Treat dad to a sharp suit, a classic overcoat, or even a one-of-a-kind smoking jacket. Each and every piece is made at their No.10 workshop over many hours, with meticulous skill and tradition.

Dads with a treasured vinyl record player will always appreciate a new addition to their collection, whether it's a hard-to-find first pressing, a classic album that's somehow still missing from their shelves, or a brand-new release by an artist you think they might like as much as you do. Hit up these record shops to dig through the crates and find the right one.

Indulge your dad's sweet tooth with a box of biscuits from Biscuiteers, London's premier biscuit artisans. All of their biscuits are a feast for the eyes, carefully sculpted into different themes. Their Father's Day selection includes a tool kit tin, a BBQ tin, classic British cars, cricket gear, and even a proper Full English – all in delightful biscuit form.

Dads who like to putter around the garden and spend afternoons wrist-deep in soil are bound to like some new gardening gear, and the Kew Gardens gift shop is here to answer the call. Their Father's Day gift selection includes everything from essential tools of the trade and advice manuals to grow kits, house products such as gin and soap, and advanced equipment such as bee nesters.

Same as with vinyl, there's never enough good literature for a bookworm to devour – especially if the parental bookworm in question hasn't made the jump to e-readers. The bookshops in our guide stock everything from freshly released bestsellers to classic tales, educational tomes, and even rare collectors' items. 

Is cheese for your dad the equivalent of chocolates for your mum? Yes, it absolutely is. Select a nice artisanal cheddar from a traditional cheesemonger, wrap it up nice, and watch your father's eyes light up as he realises he can lay waste to an entire wheel by himself and no one can say anything about it. Best of all, if you've (alright, if WE'VE) misjudged things horribly, you at least get to eat the cheese yourself.

You might not have much of a brief for dad's gift beyond “get him something nice”, so why not hit up one of London's famed department stores? These shopping havens stock all sorts of fine things, from clothes and interior decor to gourmet foods and more. You're sure to find something to your dad's liking at one of the department stores mentioned in our guide.

Gift shops are often a bit of a last resort when you can't come up with something more specific and are strapped for time, but there's no shame in that – that's what they're there for, after all. You might not know what you're looking for until you see it, but you're sure to find something suitable, along with the card, wrapping paper, and any other party supplies you might be missing.