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While flowers and choccies are great, why not treat Mum to the gift of an experience? Unlike last Mother's Day, we can get out and about to spoil them this year.
Tamsin Salfrais - Staff Writer
March 27 marks Mothering Sunday; a day dedicated to showing your mum – or the mother figure(s) in your life – just how much you love them. It’s the perfect excuse to go on a fun outing together and make some memories. Below are a whole host of events taking place around Mother’s Day; something for everyone, no matter what your mum is into.
“They just don’t write music like they used to.” I’m sure you’ve heard your mum utter this before – if you’ve not uttered it yourself recently. Well, at One Night Records, you’ll step under the arches of London Bridge to lose yourselves in a world of musicians and themed sets that’ll bring celebrated eras to life. Inside a maze of tunnels, you’ll travel through time at your own pace – from peak 50’s Rock’n’Roll through wartime boogie, and back into the golden heyday of Jazz, the dusty blues shack, and a brassy blast of funk in New Orleans. There are dates most weekend; around Mother’s Day, you can find tickets for March 25–27.
Don your most decadent dresses and sharpest suits; the Bridgerton Ball awaits! Secret Cinema and Fever have come together to create a three-hour immersive affair that’ll transport you to 1813 London for an evening of music, mingling, and plenty of other activities, inside a jaw-dropping venue. A string quartet will serenade you with their take on pop classics, and an enchanting light show will bring your favourite Bridgerton moments to life. You will even rub shoulders with your favourite characters, who may lead you into your own storyline… Tickets are available here.
On Saturday, March 26, leave your gaggle of gal pals behind and enjoy a bottomless brunch session with your Ma instead. Mamma Mia Bottomless Brunch will offer two and a half hours of the best ABBA tunes, delicious brunch dishes, a cabaret drag host, and her band of wild West End performers. Oh, and let’s not forget the option of one or two hours of bottomless beer, prosecco or spritz cocktails too. Perhaps you’ll both perform a rendition of Slipping Through My Fingers to round off the festivities? Have the tissues at the ready for Mum, though! Book your spots here.
On March 27 – Mother’s Day itself – Aqua Shard will offer a special four-course meal for one night only. The set menu will include the likes of oysters, whiskey-cured salmon with caviar, West Country lamb, and lemon cake, as well as Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label champagne on arrival and a sweet treat to takeaway specifically for mums. A vegetarian option is also available. Find out more and book your spots on the Aqua Shard website.
From classical masterpieces to modern pop hits, the Candlelight series wows with moving piano and string renditions, stunning historical venues, and of course, the gorgeous glow of soft candlelight. Treat your mum to an enchanting evening of music, inspired by her favourite acts.
🕯️Candlelight: A Tribute to Ariana Grande (March 25)
🎻 Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight at Freemason’s Hall or Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight at St James’ Piccadilly (March 26)
🎷Candlelight Jazz: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra at Castle Hotel Windsor (March 27)
🎤 St Martin’s Voices: Bach & Handel by Candlelight (March 29)
On March 22 or March 29, head to The Clapham North for an evening of artistry. Under the guidance of an expert tutor, you’ll create your own version of the The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh or The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Hokusai (depending on the date), which you’ll walk away with at the end of the night. It’ll be like one of those gifts you gave on Mother’s Day when you were in primary school, but you know, 10 times better (hopefully). All abilities are welcome. Book your spots here.
Swanky hotel, The Londoner, has partnered with children’s entertainers Sharky & George to offer mums of young kids a luxurious afternoon off. Whether you opt for an afternoon tea at The Stage champagne bar (with a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival, of course) or a more substantial meal at Whitcomb’s, complimentary children’s entertainment in the hotel’s Courtyard will provide a much need reprieve between 1pm and 3pm. If you’re lucky, you may also be the subject of the hotel’s resident artist who will be sketching portraits throughout the day. Pre-booking is required – check out The Londoner’s website.
While it is pretty sobering, Titanic: The Exhibition is also so interesting and insightful. If history is your ma’s thing, this moving exhibition will intrigue her. Focusing on the real histories of the voyage and the stories of the passengers, the exhibition will put you both at the heart of the tragedy with cabin reconstructions, over 200 original artefacts, and moving testimonies from those who survived the sunken ship. Get your tickets here.
Earn the reputation of ‘jewel in your mother’s crown’ with this one. Taking place at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel, overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace, this bottomless afternoon tea is a right royal treat. Surrounded by opulence, you’ll indulge in a selection of mouth-watering pastries, plus bottomless tea or champagne for 90 minutes. There are multiple dates and times available, so slip on your glad-rags (there is a smart-casual dress code) and enjoy a fancy afternoon. Make your booking here.
Sometimes dogs provide better company than people, amiright? Well, if your mum wants to bring her fur baby along to drinks, then Mama Shelter is the place to go. The dog-friendly hotel will be hosting a special ‘Apawritif Hour’ on March 29 in partnership with drinks brand El Bandarra. A ticket will entitle you to two refreshing El Bandarra spritzes, and small tapas plates of manchego, Catalan tomato bread, olives and cured Spanish meats. Oh, and the best part – the ‘hour’ is actually 90 minutes (6pm-7.30pm). Find out more on Mama Shelter’s website.
The Hummingbird Bakery have created a range of hand-decorated cakes and cupcakes especially for Mother’s Day – and they look gorgeous. The six main options (three cakes, three cupcakes) are delicately decorated with handmade fondant flowers, which almost look too pretty to eat, and can be personalised with a bespoke message. Then, there are the three additional, extra-special flavours, made in collaboration with No.3 Gin. Each uses No.3 Gin in the recipe and are inspired by three iconic gin based cocktails: The White Lady, The Clover Club and The St James’s Spritz. Find out more about the collection on The Hummingbird Bakery’s website.
If you head over to Copper Chimney on Mother’s Day (March 27), and upload a photo of your mouthwatering meal to social media, you’ll be able to enjoy a free dessert. Just be sure to tag ‘Copper Chimney’. The Indian restaurant has successful outposts in India, Kuwait, UAE and right here in the UK; the London eatery is located in White City’s Westfield and serves up award-winning dishes, full of flavour.
Half the stress of buying a gift is knowing what exactly to pick – why not let your mum choose for herself? With the Fever gift card, which comes in denominations of £100, £50 and £25, she’ll have access to a plethora of events, from concerts to comedy shows, exhibitions to brunches. Alternatively, if you have a rough idea of what your mum will be interested in, but can’t firm up dates just yet, you can get her a specific gift card instead.
💝Candlelight Concerts: Gift Card
💝Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience – Gift Card
💝Gift Card – Secret Cinema Presents Bridgerton With Fever
💝Gift Card – Titanic: The Exhibition
💝Gift Card – Mexican Geniuses: A Frida & Diego Immersive Experience21
Also published on Medium.