We should all know by now, that the key to making your mum smile on Mother’s Day is not necessarily showering her with gifts (although it might not hurt). It’s pretty safe to assume that what she’d appreciate the most is some proper quality time with the human(s) she’s spent many years raising. So we’ve partnered with South Western Railway to brainstorm some super cute Mother’s Day activities to treat your mum to this year.
If you want to give your mum a smile that’ll light up the room, a candle making workshop at London Refinery is just the ticket. In this 2 hour class, you’ll develop your own fragrance whilst learning about how smells affect your moods and emotions. There are loads of essential oils to choose from, and you can build your own bespoke blend to go into your candle. It’s the perfect way to make sure your mum keeps on remembering the ever so thoughtful Mother’s Day activities you planned for her. The Elgin, 96 Ladbroke Grove, W11 1PY
2. Tuck into an opulent afternoon tea
She’s your mum, so she deserves the special treatment – and a fancy afternoon tea definitely falls in that category. With this SWR reward, you can save 22% on a range of luxury afternoon tea experiences in utterly magnificent London locations. From the 5 star Dukes Hotel in St James’s to Covent Garden’s Colonel Saab, there are so many options to choose from. And remember, pinkies up!
All you really want for a Mother’s Day meal is for the food to be fantastic, without being fussy, and for the atmosphere to be cosy and comfortable with just a subtle air of celebration. You’ll find that Angela Hartnett’s Cafe Murano fulfils all those criteria, offering a mouthwatering menu of simple, elegant Italian dishes such as spicy fennel sausage ragu, pumpkin tortelloni, chicken milanese, and veal ossobuco, all cooked to absolute perfection. 184 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ
4. Wes and Sandy’s pick of the week
The round-up wouldn’t be complete without a recommendation from South Western Railway’s winged friends, Wes and Sandy. Whilst Wes likes to keep a bird’s eye view of London’s best pubs, clubs, and music venues, Sandy spends her time tuning into the city’s hottest new restaurants and upcoming cultural events. But one thing they can always agree on is the beauty of a delicious home-cooked meal. So why not round off your day of cute Mother’s Day activities by preparing her something delicious? You could even hop on an SWR train and pick out fresh ingredients together at one of London’s excellent farmers’ markets – these are some of our favourites.
Receiving a bunch of flowers is always lovely, sure. But if your mum is a real anthophile, what could be better than letting her create her own beautiful arrangement with the freshest seasonal flowers at Petersham Nurseries? Their unique floristry style is known for being wild and dramatic, so it’s the perfect place to learn how to put together something truly show-stopping. They’ll even teach you how to extend your flowers’ vase life so you can enjoy their beauty for as long as possible. Refreshments and all materials will be provided, all you need to bring is your mum! 1 Floral St, WC2E 9FB
It seems to be no coincidence that Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day are just days apart. And could there be a better way to acknowledge the most important woman in your life than visiting an exhibition that celebrates female empowerment through incredible photojournalism? Acts of Resistance: Photography, Feminisms and the Art of Protest documents feminism and activism from an international and contemporary perspective, touching on events such as Roe vs Wade (2022) and the rise of violence against women and girls in Bangladesh and tickets are free. 65 Peckham Road, SE5 8UH
