With Mothering Sunday just around the corner, you may be wondering how to treat your mum on the special day.
But if the usual bunch of flowers and breakfast in bed doesn’t quite cut it this year, Nottingham has many alternatives.
What is Mothers Day?
Mothering Sunday always falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent, which is exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday and usually in the second half of March or early April.
Traditionally children give flowers, presents and cards to their mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers and mothers-in-law to celebrate the maternal bond.
The day took off in Britain in 1913 when a vicar’s daughter from Coddington, called Constance Smith, launched the Mothering Sunday Movement and called for the day to be officially marked in England.
Get creative
From Thursday March 23 the Lace Market Gallery, on Stoney Street, is holding a range of events and exhibitions relating to being an artist and a parent.
Tracey Kershaw’s participatory installation Tell Me About Your Mother, in which visitors can sit in a pseudo-domestic setting and ‘tell me about your mother’, will take place in the run up to Sunday.
There is also a participatory session where people can join Tracey to draw their mum.
A documentary by USA artist Mary Trunk will also be screened while her work is installed.
Nottingham City of Artists, in Hooton Street, is offering a range of workshops and classes including a mother and daughter ‘learn to knit’ class.
Sip tea in style
The city is home to numerous cafes and coffee shops which range from the traditional British tea and a slice of cake to a glass of something fizzy.
Time for tea on Wollaton Road has a vintage-style selection of teas, coffees and cakes while surrounded by decor and music from the era.
Debbie Bryan, in the Lace Market, offer a champagne cream tea complete with bubbly, strawberries, whipped cream and a gold-topped chocolate brownie.
Colwick Hall Hotel has a selection of finger sandwiches, cakes and drinks and overlooks the Georgian country house’s gardens.
If prosecco is more your mother’s ‘cup of tea’, Hart’s, in Park Row, is offering a prosecco afternoon tea served in their Park Bar.
Explore
With so many buildings and parks, Nottinghamshire has a vast array to explore.
Rufford Abbey Country Park is a former 12th century Cistercian Monastery and country house with a Mother’s Day Menu in Lord Savile’s Kitchen.
A guided walk around Wollaton Hall Park is available along with a tour of the historic Grade One listed house, which featured in the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises.
Patchings Art Centre, in Calverton is a 23-year-old centre offering monthly exhibitions across three galleries, along with a gift shop, restaurant and framing service.
For ice skating, the National Ice Centre are offering free sessions and skate hire if you quote ‘mums skate for free’.
Pamper
You can also treat your mum to feel pampered and let her put her feet up for the day.
Eden Hall day spa, in Newark, offer an 85 minute top-to-toe pampering treatment followed by full use of the spa facilities.
The Beauty Temple, on Queen Street, offer a menu of ‘cocktail and treatments’ including a champagne and gold leaf nectar foot soak and rose fizz facial.
The Urban Rooms Spa in the Crowne Plaza Hotel offers an overnight spa break for two and includes a heated swimming pool, ice station, steam room, Jacuzzi, relaxation room and gym.
