Forget chocolates and flowers. Your mum deserves a proper treat this Mother’s Day. There’s nothing quite as special as a day out with the whole family, or a chance to spend quality time with just the two of you. Dakota Murphey, independent content writer, has put together 6 wonderful ideas for super days out in Sussex. Take your pick and give your mum the special Mother’s Day treat she deserves.
1. Bluebell Railway Afternoon Tea
Climb aboard the Wealden Rambler steam train for a journey through the beautiful Sussex countryside. Afternoon tea is served as you marvel at the scenery and listen to the hissing steam and awesome whistle of the locomotive. It’s a smart casual affair (no jeans or trainers) and costs £44.00 per person.
It’s a popular choice, so you’ll definitely need to book ahead. If you want to ramp up the celebration, a card, balloons, and table sprinkles can be added for an extra charge.
2. Wickwoods Country Club, Hotel and Spa
Set in 22 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland within the South Downs National Park, the Wickwoods Country Club is the perfect choice for pulling out all the stops. Indulge in the spa, enjoy walks on the grounds, and relax over lunch in the award-winning Glasshouse restaurant. Spend time using all of the health club and spa facilities, which include a hydro pool, a steam room, and a sauna, as well as an indoor pool.
If you are feeling energetic, visit the gym or perhaps play a game of tennis. Spa packages start at £90 per person for the day and include lunch and a massage or a facial. Your mum will love feeling pampered, and she’ll be ecstatic that she’s spending the day with you too.
2. Wakehurst Place
Treat your mum to a feat of the senses with a visit to Wakehurst Place. This National Trust gem boasts a beautiful botanical garden with the largest seed conservation project in the world. With natural woodlands, lakes, and formal gardens to wander around, you’ll have plenty of time to catch up. There’s an Elizabethan house and the 21st-century architecture of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank to marvel over too.
Enjoy a posh 3-course lunch in The Stables restaurant, or less formal sandwiches and cakes in the Seed Café. There’s a gift shop, so you can treat your mum to a memento of your lovely day together. Entry fees are £12.50 per adult. If you’re a National Trust member, entry is free, but there’s a small charge for parking. You could always give your mum an annual National Trust membership as an extra gift.
4. Weald & Downland Living Museum
Why not celebrate Mothering Sunday exploring a bit of rural history? The open-air Weald & Downland Museum is a wonderful place to visit in springtime, and it’s the perfect place to take the whole family. With newborn lambs to coo over and spring buds bringing a burst of color to the landscape, your mum and your kids will love finding out more about the rural life of old.
Set in 40 acres of rolling countryside, you’ll find a collection of 50 historic buildings, and you’ll be able to view brewing and baking in the authentic Tudor kitchen. As well as the lambs, there are also many of the usual traditional farm animals to see, including some beautiful shire horses. Bring a picnic (there’s indoor seating or outdoor picnic tables) or visit the café serving a range of hot and cold snacks, drinks, and cakes. Entry is £15.00 for adults, £7 for children, and on Mother’s Day all mums get in for free!
5. The Brighton Pavilion, i360, Shopping and Cocktails
For an action packed day in Brighton, visit the Brighton Pavilion, take to the skies in the i360 capsule (the world’s first vertical cable car), browse Brighton’s fabulous shops, and finish the day off with a cocktail (or two). The Brighton Pavilion is a wonderful seaside icon, which has a colorful history stretching back over 200 years. Admission costs £12.50 for adults, but there’s a local residents rate if you live in the area. The i360 costs £15 per adult. For both attractions it’s advisable to book in advance.
When you’ve had enough of sightseeing, stop for lunch in one of Brighton’s many restaurants. Once you’ve refueled, head off to the North Laine for casual shopping or south to The Lanes for more upscale outlets. When it’s time to rest those weary feet, head for Hotel Du Vin for a sophisticated cocktail in opulent surroundings.
6. The Wey and Arun Canal Cruise
Take a canal boat cruise along the idyllic Loxwood link section of the canal on the Surrey/West Sussex border. The rural waterway is recognized as a national heritage asset. It’s a quirky and fun way to take in the countryside. Suitable for the whole family, morning cruises come with coffee and Danish pastries, while cream tea voyages run in the afternoon. The Mothering Sunday relaxer costs £14 for adults and £10 for children. Private charters are available (with or without catering), and start from £90 for 90 minutes. Booking is essential.
Whatever plans you make for your Mother’s Day treat, we are sure your mum will be delighted.
