Eight Days Out To Impress Your Mum This Mother's Day

Posted: 12/03/12

Katie Jones

Follow: In The Know, Mothers Day, Mothers Day Ideas

If a bunch of flowers simply won't cut it on Mother's Day this year, we've found eight days out that are sure to put a smile on your mum's face this weekend.

mother's day Photo: Cowley Manor

From a trip to London's best champagne bar to a shopping break in Edinburgh, here's our pick of the best ways to treat your mum.

Things to do with your mum this Mother's Day

The night at the ballet...
 If you're thinking of booking tickets for a show, but your mum has already seen every musical going, a night at the ballet is an equally impressive alternative. March sees the first revival of Christopher Wheeldon's ballet adaptation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland at the Royal Opera House. Showing from 17 March - 16 April, snap up two of the hottest tickets in town at <a href="http://www.roh.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.roh.org.uk</a>.
The exhibition...
 If you can't get a ticket to David Hockney, head over to the Barbican for the first UK exhibition by Chinese artist, Song Dong. Entitled, 'Waste Not', it features poignant items from Dong's family home, from teddy bears to china teacups. And if you find yourself asking "how does this tie in with Mother's Day?", the answer is all in the collection -  it's a display of everything Dong's own mother ever treasured. Entry is free, showing until 12 June at the <a href="http://www.barbican.org.uk/" target="_blank">Barbican</a>.
The great escape...
 The luxury camping site, Canopy & Stars, is the place to look for a Mother's Day treat with a difference, although be warned, these glamping getaways are definitely meant for outdoors-y types. Caban Coch is a converted hay trailer (probably not suitable for mums who prefer five-star luxury either), nestled amongst the Cambrian mountains in Powys, Wales. However, this is a great choice for fitness fanatics, with 6-30km cycling routes right on the doorstep, as well as scenic walking paths for those that prefer to take things at a slower pace. Caban Coch is £170 for a two-night stay. Find out more and browse other great escapes at <a href="http://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/" target="_blank">Canopy & Stars</a>.
The afternoon tea...
 When it comes to treating your mum, you can't go wrong with the classic afternoon tea. If you can't get in at some of the more famous London spots, try the city's original five-star hotel, The Capital, handily located a few minutes away from Harrods in Knightsbridge. Sample tea with all the trimmings and a glass of champagne for £37.50 per person, or stop by for three-course Mothering Sunday lunch on the 18th, for £40 per person. Find out more at <a href="http://www.capitalhotel.co.uk/index.html" target="_blank">The Capital Hotel</a>.
The spa treatment...
 If you're looking to combine a day at an award-winning spa with a trip to the Cotswold countryside, your mum will be more than happy with C-Side Spa at Cowley Manor hotel. From a full body massage using Green & Spring's all-natural skincare products, to the Rejuvenation Ritual body wrap, there are treatments to suit everyone here (plus two swimming pools and a gym to make us of in-between massages). For the ultimate treat, book a day spa session (from £125 for a 60 minute treatment) which also includes a 2-course lunch in the hotel and use of all spa facilities. Find out more at <a href="http://www.cowleymanor.com/" target="_blank">Cowley Manor</a>.
The city break...
 Where better to push the boat out and spoil your mum this Mother's Day than with a city break, full of shopping and five-star luxury, in Edinburgh. Head to the Royal Mile and Grassmarket for boutique stores and the infamous <a href="http://www.armstrongsvintage.co.uk/" target="_blank">Armstrong's</a> for unique vintage finds, before hitting the Bollinger bar at the award-winning Balmoral Hotel. Rooms here start at £128 a night when booked in advance or £150 for the best available rate in a standard room. Find out more about rates and special offers at <a href="http://www.thebalmoralhotel.com/" target="_blank">The Balmoral</a>.
The pub lunch...
 The George in Rye, once a former coaching inn, is now a cosy, coastal bolthole in East Sussex. However, the 34-bedroom boutique hotel is just as famous for its brasserie-style restaurant, The George Grill and Bar, which offers the freshest of the fresh seafood from nearby Rye Bay as well as local meats and vegetables on its daily menu. Classics such as club sandwiches and spiced lamb burgers are served alongside Mediterranean-inspired starters and platters during the day, although it's hard not to resist the smell of the wood charcoal oven that serves up delights such as grilled prawns and slow roast pork ribs. Main courses start at around £9 and rooms can start at £135 per night.  See the full menu and all room rates at <a href="http://www.thegeorgeinrye.com/index.html" target="_blank">The George in Rye</a>.
The place to go for one-too-many-glasses-of-champagne...
 If you'd rather just go and have a few drinks to celebrate all things Mother's Day, take your mum to London's ultimate champagne bar, Flute. With over 100 different champagnes on offer, it's the perfect place to go to have a mother-daughter chat over a glass of bubbly. Head down for champagne happy hour between 5 - 8pm on a Tuesday or book a table on a Friday and Saturday night to sup on champers while the live music gets underway. Bottles of champagne start at £45, cocktails are £9.95. Find out more at <a href="http://flutebar.com/en/index.php?page=london/" target="_blank">Flute London</a>.