It was so much easier back in those school days, wasn't it? For a week, art class would be dedicated to making something special for Mum in the lead up to Mothering Sunday: a card with lentils stuck on it; a useful clay pot decorated with powder paint; or a nice charcoal sketch. Mum would always be delighted.
With adulthood comes increased responsibility to find a decent Mother's Day present, and sometimes taking Mum out for a nice treat is much nicer than yet another pot plant. Here are a few ideas for days out in London on April 3rd, 2011.
Mothering Sunday Family Event
Kensington Palace is always a beautiful place for the family to visit and this year they are laying on a great experience for the whole family.
At the moment, the Palace has an exhibition called The Enchanted Palace, full of installations, fun and stories surrounding princesses, fairy tales and fashion. As a nice add-on, families can visit on April 3rd and learn how to make beautiful flowers from paper and tape, similar to the kinds on show in The Enchanted Palace exhibition, that make great gifts for Mums. It's free for members and the workshop is included in the price of the entrance ticket for everyone else. Book in advance online for the best deal: £31 for a family of two adults and up to six kids.
Mother's Day Events
Think laterally. Just because an event is not billed as a Mother's Day event, if it falls on April 3rd, then it is worth a look. The wonderful Horniman Museum in Forest Hill is always a reliable and often inexpensive trip for families.
This year, they have a Raise the Roof Concert featuring (the clue is in the name) the Raise the Roof Choir. World music sung in the Gallery Square for an hour from 2.30 p.m. It's free. Stick around afterward and visit the enormous, eye-popping overstuffed sea lion in the Natural History section.
Also, check out your local National Trust venue, as many of them are allowing Mums to visit free on Mother's Day, with various art workshops for the kids laid on. Osterley Park (Hounslow) and Ham House (Richmond) are two venues doing exactly that.
Mother's Day Gifts Ideas – Cream Teas
All Mums love cream teas and there are plenty available in London. The classics are available at places like The Ritz and Fortnum & Mason, although these are expensive and will be booked up quickly.
For something different, travel to the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich. This year they are offering cream teas including sandwiches, cakes, tartlets, scones and teas plus a glass of champagne for the adults on arrival. What makes this particularly special is that the teas will be served in the magnificent Painted Hall, which is part of the King William Court and is described as 'probably the finest dining hall in the Western world.' The paintings by James Thornhill make this easily the most prestigious place in London to take mum on Mother's Day this year.
Tickets don't come cheap, but are good value for such a unique experience. Adults are £28, children aged 5-16 are £22 and under 5s are £8. Book early: 020 8269 4799.
There are numerous other excellent Afternoon Tea venues in London. Try The Crusting Pipe in the Old Covent Garden Market Hall; The Lounge Bar at The Strand Palace Hotel or the English Tea Room at Brown's Hotel in Mayfair.
Wild Flowers
One of the favourite Mother's Day presents is a nice bunch of flowers. Nice. But boring. Instead of grabbing a handful of cut blooms from the nearest supermarket, take a day trip to Kew Gardens and see the flowers in their full glory.
The Blossom and Bloom Guided Walking Tour will starts at noon on Mothering Sunday. After the entrance fee to the Gardens, the Guide is free and is sure to be a hit with all Mums (and Grandmums!). Places for this are on a first come, first served basis, so arrive at the Gardens a bit early if this particular trip is a must on your itinerary. Alternatively, surprise Mum and go on the Saturday to beat the crowds!
Related articles:
- Five Fantastic Cheap and Free Mother's Day Ideas
- Surprise Mum With This Perfect Mother's Day Plan
- Unique Mother's Day Ideas to Spoil Mum With!
Daniel Trelfer - I'm a freelance writer and also work in television on and off. I'm looking forward to exploring a range of my interests at Suite 101, ...
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