Mother's Day is Sunday 10th March, so there's no better time to start planning those gift ideas, treats and days out. Whilst we know Mum deserves praise all year round, it’s the perfect time for your leading lady to take centre stage for a change.
We’ve curated a list of the perfect gift ideas from across the county to enjoy with mums, step-mums and aunties, as well as those special women in your life who are just like a mum to you this Mother's Day. What's more, we've got even more tips and days out ideas from our friends at Kent Attractions, so you'll plenty of top ideas to treat the whole family.
So you can throw away the petrol station bought flowers, be gone with the variety pack of chocolates and please, stop trying to guess what size top she is, because this special Sunday, Mum’s the word in Kent...
The Historic Dockyard Chatham
Call the Midwife official location tours
1st March-31st October
Go behind the scenes this Mother's Day as you take the official Call the Midwife location tour, filmed at the one and only Historic Dockyard Chatham!
Discover where all of the drama takes place as a costumed midwife guides you around the cobbled streets of 'Poplar' and many other iconic spots from the hit TV show. Pack a camera and book in today for an amazing experience that you and mum will never forget.
Delicious Afternoon Tea at The Dockyard
Visit The Historic Dockyard Chatham for a delightful Afternoon Tea experience set in the charming Ballroom of Commissioner’s House.
Take in the historic surroundings while treating yourself to a carefully crafted menu of finger sandwiches and delightful sweet treats, offering the perfect opportunity to celebrate in style.
This exclusive Afternoon Tea offer has limited spaces so pre-booking is required.
Hever Castle
Mother’s Day Weekend
9th and 10th March
Show your mum just how much you love her, the historic Castle and stunning gardens is the ideal place to say thank you on the perfect family day out.
This Mother's Day weekend, enjoy a delicious two course carvery in the Guthrie Pavilion Restaurant overlooking the lake. With plenty of mouth-watering options, this is an afternoon that she'll never forget! Be sure to book in advance. On Sunday book in for a delectable afternoon tea and enjoy treats and tea in the luxury of the panelled Tudor Suite.
Balfour Winery
Mother's Day Afternoon Tea
9th March
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a Sparkling Afternoon Tea at Balfour Winery. With sandwiches, scones, cakes and a glass of sparkling Balfour Wine to be enjoyed, we can guarantee this will be a Mother's Day treat she won't forget. Once you've supped and sipped, enjoy a self-guided stroll through the vines and spot the first signs of spring in the beautiful ancient woodland.
Ightham Mote
Glorious daffodils for Mother’s Day
For an informal Mother’s Day treat celebrate the arrival of spring at the National Trust property Ightham Mote. The mass of bright blooms underneath the apple trees in the orchard are a sight to behold and the romantic moated manor house reveals 700 years of history.
Treat mum to lunch in the Mote Café and maybe a gift from the Shop.
Dover Castle and Walmer Castle
Get out and about for Mother’s Day
Adventure into Dover Castle’s Secret Wartime Tunnels, enjoy amazing views from the medieval Great Tower and explore this icon of England as a family. Better yet, ditch the car and head there by bus, train or bike and make the most of a 20% Good Journey discount.
Just a short journey away is the picturesque Walmer Castle Gardens, complete with beautiful manicured grounds, wildflower meadows and woodland walks to enjoy as a family. Finish off your wanders with cake and tea in the Glasshouse Café.
Corkk
Raise a glass to the leading lady with a spot of lunch at Canterbury's award-winning wine specialists, Corkk. Enjoy some of the finest English wines around, paired with a locally-sourced platter for the perfect relaxed afternoon. Once she's decided on her favourite, buy her the ultimate gift of a bottle of Kentish sparkling wine or a Corkk gift card.
Canterbury Cathedral
2nd and 9th March
Put down the supermarket flowers! It's time to show mum how much you care, so why not make the bouquet this year? Head to Canterbury Cathedral's FREE Floragami Bouquet Making classes and craft a beautiful bouquet out of paper to be taken home, saved and given as a very special gift on Mother's Day. Better yet, take part in a session and you'll have the chance to craft some blooms to be displayed as part of the Mothering Sunday Service.
Gusbourne
World-class wine, local food and drink, beautiful vineyard views, it sounds like the perfect day out, right? Head to Gusbourne and join an Estate Tour this Mother's Day and you and your mum will have the chance to tour the vineyards, glass of wine in hand before tucking into a delicious, seasonal three-course lunch, perfectly paired with some of Gusbourne's best-loved wines.
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
Always one of our top picks for the luxe lover, Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is offering a special Mother's Day Package this year. Take a safari through the reserve and look out for 900 rare and endangered animals dotted across the landscape, enjoy panoramic views from the gardens across to the coast and then settle in for afternoon tea in the Orangery or Mansion. On top of savoury classics, sensational sweet treats and a glass of fizz, mums will walk away with complimentary box of macarons.
Mums Go Free at Howletts Wild Animal Park
One for the WHOLE family, Howletts are letting Mums Go Free when you pre-book for 9th and 10th March. With one parent per family visiting for FREE, plus 80 acres of parkland to explore, not to mention baby elephants, gorillas, tigers and monkeys to be seen, Howletts is giving you plenty of reasons to celebrate this year.
A weekend away
Want to really treat your mum this year? How about a weekend away? Book her in for a coastal staycation to one of Keepers Cottages beautiful properties and we can guarantee you'll be soaring straight into the good books. Try The Green House in Deal, just footsteps from the beach and the independent shops of Deal. Better yet, this cottage has sustainability at its heart and sleeps six for a proper family getaway. Or how about Coop's Landing, a conservation property in Deal with a courtyard and cosy living rooms, minutes from Deal High Street. Finally, Victory at Cliffe, a luxurious property just moments away from Kingsdown Beach, with a big kitchen at its heart, perfect for the family who loves to cook together.
Godinton House & Gardens
12 acres of gardens, daffodil-filled meadows, Italian Gardens and tea and cake from the tearoom, a visit to Godinton House & Gardens is one of our go tos for a treating mum this year. Try freshly baked scones, tuck into homemade cakes, and enjoy the beauty of the Walled Garden and countryside views.
Leeds Castle Concert
If you're not going to be able to make Mother's Day, might we suggest getting a special day out planned in the diary? No, not an "IOU one great day out", a ticket to one of Kent's best-loved festivals. The Leeds Castle Concert promises world-class music, singing, dancing and even a Spitfire flyover. What's more, if you book up your tickets now, you'll be in for an early bird discount!
Mother’s Day with a Magical Twist at Kent Life
Celebrate mum with an unforgettable afternoon tea and family fun day at Kent Life. Enjoy live entertainment including balloon modelling, magic tricks, and uplifting music. General admission to Kent Life is also included, where families can meet animals and explore historic buildings. This is the perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with mum.
Mothering Sunday at the Battle of Britain Memorial
Put a smile on mum’s face this Mothering Sunday with a cream tea or a slice of cake at the Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne, near Folkestone.
Better still, why not treat her to the whole experience package: a personal guided tour of the stunning clifftop Memorial, a ticket to The Scramble Experience and a cream tea with optional Prosecco! There is a range of experiences on offer.
Enjoy a Harmonious Afternoon Tea at Hall Place & Gardens
Spoil mum with a traditional afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, cake, scones, jam and cream, with a live singer performing all the best in Rat Pack and Swing tunes.
The historic house and gardens has a rich in fascinating history with a range of exhibitions including the Tudor Discovery Gallery, a space for families to learn more about one of the most well-known parts about English History.
