A few years back, I awoke on Mother’s Day to… nothing. That’s right. Not. one. thing. No card, no flowers, no special hugs. I waited an hour or so, expecting that I was going to be given a really big surprise. And I was – the surprise being that everyone had forgotten.
Granted, we were away for the weekend, but by away I mean Alton Towers. Hardly so remote that the Western calendar no longer applied. Trying to find something special to do last minute was such a stress that we just came home, with me in a terribly foul mood. As you can tell, I’m still not quite over it.
In order to avoid other mothers being similarly disappointed, I have a) just reminded you Mother’s Day is coming up; and b) hand picked the best museums to whisk mum off to on March 26. Cake, culture and your company = a winning combination. From free entry to craft and afternoon tea, I’m sure that choosing any of these will make the mother in your life feel special!
Top tip 1: book now to avoid disappointment. It’ll only take a minute, and booking is essential for many of these special events.
Top tip 2: If you’re a mum who really wants to do one of these, share this post to your Facebook wall and tag your partner/child/whoever you want to take you. Or share to their wall. Repeatedly. Subtle hints rarely work.
Mums – enjoy your day!
London
Say thank you in spectacular surroundings at the V&A – the first ever purpose-built museum cafe continues to impress with its Victorian tiling, stained glass and wallpaper. As well as having daily hot specials, freshly baked cake and scones, salads and sandwiches, hot drinks, wines and beers, they win extra points for serving child sized portions. For an extra special treat, book the Victorian Afternoon Tea, an authentic menu of sweets and savouries served from 1859 to 1901 (£30 per person / £35 per person with glass of Prosecco). The cafe is turn up; booking is essential for afternoon tea. Don’t miss the fascinating exhibition Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear.
Take a trip down memory lane at the inimitable Museum of Brands & Packaging. For Mother’s Day, you can enjoy a talk, trail and afternoon tea (£8.93 – £15.26)
Show your mum you’re her number one fan – with a trip to the Fan Museum! They’re offering a special Mother’s Day afternoon tea in their beautifully muraled orangery (£15 per person + £4 entrance to museum). It’s a small, specialist museum full of prized fans – and also has the accolade of Loo of the Year! All. Bases. Covered. NOW FULLY BOOKED
Gloucestershire
The Holst Museum is both birthplace to the famous composer, and a fascinating insight into the workings of the Victorian home. Mums get in FREE on Saturday 25th March and they’ll be powering up the Victorian coal-fire range to make authentic drop scones (entrance £5 adults / £2 children).
Hampshire
Liverpool
Liverpool Museums have got this one covered – check out this excellent blog post, bursting with Mother’s Day suggestions.
Midlands
Here’s one for history and science lovers. Enjoy the highly-rated tour of Soho House, elegant home of the industrialist and entrepreneur Matthew Boulton, followed by afternoon tea (£20 per person).
Or for something rather different – Coffin Works are offering free entry to mothers! Book a place on the excellent guided tours of the Newman Brothers factory, producers of some of the world’s finest coffin furniture, including the fittings for the funerals of Joseph Chamberlain, Winston Churchill – and the Queen Mother (entrance £6 adults / £4 children / under fives free).
Norfolk
Treat your mum to a special day at Gressenhall Farm and Workshop. Discover fascinating floral objects and the Victorian ‘language of flowers’, then make tissue-paper flowers or a beautiful gift in Art Attack! Plus mums get a free cream tea in the cafe. We visited last year and enjoyed greatly the exhibition about the workhouse, the animals, and the fantastic adventure playground – it’s definitely suitable for families of all ages (entrance £10.75 adults / £8.55 children / under fours free).
Oxford
The Rooftop Restaurant at the Ashmolean is offering a free glass of Prosecco to every mum who dines at Rooftop on March 26. With stunning views of the spires of Oxford from their rooftop terrace, they source local produce to create contemporary European dishes. Bubbles AND half a million years of art and archaeology? Mum will be impressed!
Sussex
Mums enter for free with a paying adult this Mothering Sunday at the Weald and Downland Museum. With 50 historic buildings in a beautiful site, there are numerous demonstrations of rural life, like brewing and baking in the authentic Tudor kitchen. Meet Shire horses and see traditional breed farm animals, including the new lambs. Awww! (Entrance £15 adults / £7 children.)
Wiltshire
Avebury Manor is a sixteenth century historic house with a difference – here you can sit on the furniture, lie on the beds and even play snooker in the Billiard Room! Enjoy their traditional Mother’s Day afternoon tea in the old library and tea-room, complete with books and mismatched china. So good to know young kids are actively encouraged to explore! (Afternoon tea £20 per adult / £10 per child).
Worcestershire
Combine a two course lunch and flower demonstration with an unforgettable underground mine tour at the National Coal Mining Museum. My. perfect. day. (Lunch £17.50 per person / Children under 12 £8.00. Underground tour £3 per person, not suitable for under fives).
Staffordshire
Scotland
Enjoy afternoon tea in the stunning 18th century Assembly Room at Low Parks Museum Dressing up and hands-on interactives throughout the gallery make this museum enjoyable for families with younger children. (Afternoon tea £12.90 adults / £6.50 children, including craft activity).
Wales
It’s great to see a hands on workshop that mums can do with younger children. In Making Soap With Mum at Swansea’s National Waterfront Museum, you can find out about the history and process of making soap, then try your hand at producing your own luxury bar. It’s also a brilliant museum all about the world’s first industrial nation – yep, Wales (entrance and workshop free).
This is adorable! My mom and I bond over our love for museums. She’s a huge reason why I’ve gone into the museum field of study. I’m moving to Germany next month so if she comes out to see me, I may just have to take her to some of these for the big day! A great list and excellent points about each institution.
Great review ?.
Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks, great list. I’ve forwarded it to my bro who lives in Hampshire as he might need ideas! Am intrigued by the V&A exh, so much to see in London, hard to know what to see first!