The Roots of Father's Day

This year in the UK, Father’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday 17th June. As one of the busier days in the Ashdown Park Calander, we take a look at the origins of this special day and how you can join us in celebrating!

Created as a way of honouring Fathers’ and Father Figures for all that they do, it is now a public holiday in the USA and there are two noted beginnings of this holiday.

The first was in 1908 when Grace Clayton suggested a father's day tribute after a mining accident left much of her town in Fairmont as widowed and she felt that a day was needed to show appreciation to the miners who lost their lives. However, due to a further tragedy in the town, the celebrations were overlooked and it is more commonly thought that the first official celebration was on 19th June 1910. 

Encouraged by a sermon conducted in her local Church around Mother’s Day, Sonora Dodd who was raised by her father - a widowed man, felt that he too deserved a day of recognition. Popularity for the celebration grew and in 1972 President Richard Nixon made it a public holiday in the USA.  Although not a holiday in the UK, we have inherited many of the American customs with presenting a card and gift to Fathers on this day.  

Across Europe, many countries celebrate Father’s Day on St Joseph’s Day, in March. Patron Saint Joseph (husband to Mary and Legal Father to Jesus) has a day of celebration, typically a feast held in his honour. This Catholic Celebration is held in Spain, Portugal and Italy. 

No matter where you are celebrating it and whether you are spending it with all the family or just some quality time with you and your dad, at Ashdown Park we are celebrating with two delicious dining choices: 

Choose from our NEW Father's Day Special Afternoon Tea or a specially prepared Father's Day Luncheon in our 2 AA Rosette Anderida Restaurant.

For further information about specific events, please see below...

CLICK HERE for Special Father's Day Afternoon Tea 

CLICK HERE for Father's Day Luncheon


For more information or to book please contact our Reservation team on 01342 824988.