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Bring maxi-mum smiles to someone special this Mother’s Day with these wonderful ways to spend quality time together in Hampshire.
Mother’s Day 2024 is on Sunday 10 March – read on for inspiration and ideas for ways to spoil your mum, grandma or even the whole family this Mothering Sunday.
Go out for a Mother’s Day meal
Find the way to mum’s heart with a special Mother’s Day meal together. From fine dining restaurants to cosy countryside pubs, there are eateries in Hampshire to suit every taste with many cooking up special Mother’s Day menus.
Have a fabulous Mother's Day feast at The Wellhouse at Lainston House or cook up a meal together at the Seasons Cookery School. Go for an extra special lunch in Wild Carrot at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, admire the blankets of daffodils at the special Mother's Day Lunch at Chawton House, or tuck into a Mother’s Day Sunday roast at a Hampshire pub like The Peat Spade near Stockbridge.
See our guide to the restaurants in Hampshire
View our guide to the pubs in Hampshire
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Show them a great time
Enjoy a show together at one of Hampshire’s theatres and entertainment venues.
Enjoy a night of songs and laughter with Rob Brydon at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton on 10 March or the National Theatre Live cinema screening of Vanya starring Andrew Scott on Saturday 9 March at Theatre Royal Winchester.
There’s classical music with Baroque Masterpieces at Winchester Cathedral on 9 March or the ultimate party with Kimberley Wyatt’s Don't Cha Disco with Kimberly Wyatt at Portsmouth Guildhall on 9 March.
Read our guide to Arts & Entertainment in Hampshire
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Step into spring gardens
Mother’s Day also marks the beginning of spring, so what better way to celebrate Mothering Sunday than with a visit to a blooming gorgeous garden in Hampshire.
Exbury Gardens is sure to burst into glorious spring colour when it reopens on 9 March 2024 just in time for Mother’s Day weekend and entry is half price for mums on Mother’s Day.
Stansted House has free admission for all Mothers on Sunday 10 March, visitors can enjoy the grounds and walled gardens as well as the stunning State Rooms inside the house, once used to entertain politicians, actors and royalty.
Daffodils will be in full bloom for Mother’s Day in March and some of the best gardens to spot these, as well as the emergence of other spring flowers, are Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Mottisfont near Romsey, Gilbert White’s House & Gardens in Selborne, Hinton Ampner near Winchester, and The Vyne near Basingstoke.
Find out more about gardens in Hampshire
10 glorious gardens in Hampshire
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Raise a glass or two
Hampshire’s chalky terrain yields some of England’s – and the world’s – very best sparkling wine and the county’s vineyards are stunning places to visit, learn about, and taste, the region’s beautiful bubbles.
Discover vineyards in Hampshire
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Shop till you drop
Step into spring fashion with a shopping trip together. Seek out the outlet bargains at Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays; browse the big brands at Westquay Southampton or Festival Place in Basingstoke; or mooch around the independent shops of Winchester or Southsea.
Find out more about shopping in Hampshire
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Indulge in an afternoon tea
Tea and cake always make for a perfect combination and afternoon tea is an indulgent treat perfect for an occasion like Mother’s Day. Hampshire hotels, restaurants, cafes and even attractions offer some superb afternoon tea experiences.
In the New Forest, Chewton Glen has a special Mother’s Day afternoon tea on the menu; and near Hook, West Green House Gardens has a Mother’s Day afternoon tea in its flower-filled greenhouse.
And for unforgettable tea with a view, head to the top of the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth for the High Tea experience.
See the best places to go for afternoon tea in Hampshire here
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Mother’s Day walks in Hampshire
For a wholesome and free Mother’s Day activity, a Mothering Sunday stroll could be just the thing. Hampshire has plenty of walks for all experiences and ages to enjoy, why not try one of these Hampshire wanders:
For forest surroundings – Tall Tree Walk in the New Forest
For sweeping views – The South Downs Way
For following literary footsteps – Jane Austen Circular Walk, Chawton
For sea air – The Solent Way
For a riverside amble – The Test Way
See our guide to walking and hiking in Hampshire
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Women's Health and Wellbeing Day at Queen Elizabeth Country Park
In celebration of International Women's Day (Friday 8 March 2024) and Mother's Day (Sunday 10 March 2024) Queen Elizabeth Country Park is holding a Women's Health and Wellbeing Day on Saturday 9 March 2024.
There will be tips on nutrition, a cold-water plunge, a gentle stretching session and a mindful forest walk.
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Mother's Day Paddle to the Pub with New Forest Activities
For an unforgettable Mother’s Day experience, hop aboard a canoe on the Beaulieu River with New Forest Activities’ Mother's Day Paddle to the Pub on Sunday 10 March 2024.
The expedition includes a gentle guided tour through the idyllic Beaulieu River Nature Reserve, ending at the Master Builder's pub to enjoy a glass of bubbly by the riverside.
….and relax
For some Mother’s Day pampering a visit to a Hampshire spa could be the perfect way to relax.
Try Lime Wood , Careys Manor Sen Spa and Chewton Glen in the New Forest; the Eforea Spa at The Hilton Southampton Utilita Bowl or the luxury spa at Southampton Harbour Hotel in Southampton; or the Four Seasons in Dogmersfield Park, north Hampshire.
Find out more about spas in Hampshire
If you’re visiting Hampshire in March, why not stay a little longer and extend Mother’s Day to a Mother’s Day weekend or week. Take a look at our huge range of accommodation. Hampshire has something for all budgets including hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering properties, and cosy traditional holiday cottages.
See what events are on in Hampshire this Mother’s Day
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A charming 17th century William and Mary country house standing elegantly in 63 acres of Hampshire parkland. Delicate archways and loggias frame the picture perfect entrance and a small amble reveals a beautiful 12th century chapel ruin.
This Georgian manor house, set in 500 acres of rolling grounds and English Heritage listed gardens, offers the upmost in luxury and relaxation, just an hour from London.
Chawton House was owned by Jane Austen’s brother Edward, and known to her as ‘the Great House’. Jane lived in a cottage on his estate and would stroll up to ‘dawdle away’ many an hour in the grand Elizabethan manor and its picturesque gardens.
he Peat Spade Inn sits in a picture postcard setting in the beautiful village of Longstock in the heart of Hampshire.
An English Original, Chewton Glen is a luxury country house hotel and spa set in 130 acres of Hampshire countryside on the edge of the New Forest National Park, and just a few minutes' walk from the sea.
West Green House Gardens - is the perfect place to visit for all the family through every season!
More than 100 years in the making, Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway is a spectacular collection of landscaped woodland, herbaceous, contemporary and formal gardens, in a unique riverside location. Exbury also boasts a narrow-gauge steam railway that travels through the gardens, plus a play area, fantastic restaurant and much more!
Celebrate Mothering Sunday at Stansted House and enjoy free admission for all Mothers. Step inside the beautiful Stansted House and enjoy a true upstairs, downstairs experience as you visit the family seat of the Earls of Bessborough. Explore the stunning State Rooms, once used to entertain politicians, actors and royalty, before moving downstairs to discover the extensive Servants Quarters.
The magnificent Sir Harold Hillier Gardens is world famous for its arboretum and gardens – set over 180 acres of rolling Hampshire countryside; this garden is stunning whatever the season.
Ancient trees, babbling brooks and rolling lawns frame Mottisfont's 18th-century house with a medieval priory at its heart. There’s space to run, jump and play, and always something for families to do, with activity trails in school holidays and a special family exhibition every summer.
Located in Selborne, a stunning corner of the South Downs National Park, Gilbert White’s 17th century home is now a museum open to visitors. Museum highlights include, the original manuscript of ‘The Natural History of Selborne’, White’s 18th century floral embroidered bed covers and White’s taxidermy hawfinch.
Best known for its fine garden, Hinton Ampner is an elegant country house with an outstanding collection of furniture, paintings and objets d'art.
The Vyne is a warm red-bricked Tudor mansion built in the 16th century for Lord Sandys, Henry VIII's Lord Chamberlain, which later passed into the hands of the Chute family, who cared for the house and estate for over 300 years. It was remodelled to its present configuration in the mid-17th century.
The largest Theatre in the south, The Mayflower offers spectacular touring musicals - many direct from the West End - plus opera, ballet and comedy.
Andrew Scott (Fleabag) brings multiple characters to life in Simon Stephens' (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) radical new version of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya. Hopes, dreams, and regrets are thrust into sharp focus in this one-man adaptation which explores the complexities of human emotions. Filmed live during its sold-out run in London's West End, Vanya will be playing exclusively in cinemas in 2024.
The nave of Winchester Cathedral will resound with magnificent baroque trumpets and timpani as the Waynflete Singers are joined by Florilegium for a brilliant evening of Baroque Masterpieces on Saturday March 9th. The evening features two joyful choral works, Bach's Magnificat and Handel's Dettingen Te Deum.
Gunwharf Quays is the UK’s only waterfront outlet shopping destination. Located on Portsmouth’s historic waterfront, you can shop at over 90 famous brands including Coach, North Face, The White Company, Hugo Boss and Nike; grab a bite to eat in a choice of over 30 restaurants, bars and cafes; and watch the boats go by as you take in the stunning marina location.
Westquay is the premier shopping and leisure destination on the South Coast, conveniently located just a few minutes’ walk from Southampton Central train station in the heart of Southampton city centre. Boasting over 80 stores including big brand names such as Lego, The White Company, Zara, John Lewis & Partners and Marks & Spencer it makes for the perfect shopping destination.
Good shopping is guaranteed at Festival Place, a vibrant 1.1m sq ft shopping centre in the centre of Basingstoke, just off the M3. The ideal destination for easy, everyday shopping, Festival Place is also somewhere to visit for special occasions and fun family days out.
The Tall Trees is a easy 1.5 mile walk created by the Forestry Commission, at Blackwater in the heart of the New Forest National Park. Walk amongst the huge conifer trees which were planted in 1859.
The South Downs way is situated in Hampshire’s second National Park the South Downs. The route begins in Winchester and stretches 100 miles to Eastbourne. Along the route are unspoilt views of countryside, small hamlet villages and the English channel. The South Downs Way is a hilly but rewarding route for walkers and mountain bikers. Lonely Planet has even included the South Downs Way in it’s 1000 Ultimate Adventures book.
A 4.5-mile circular walk in the heart of Jane Austen country. Start at Jane Austen's House in Chawton and follow in her footsteps across fields and through the village of Farringdon. Jane was inspired by this beautiful countryside to write and revise all her novels.
The Solent Way is one of the most picturesque walks in Hampshire, taking in views of the Hampshire countryside, Solent and Isle of Wight. The route is 60 miles and is broken into 8 sections and stretches from Milford on Sea to Emsworth which is at the top of Chichester Harbour. The Solent Way is great to walk all year round, from the summer where you can see the sunset on the Solent or in the colder months when the seas are even more lively.
The Test Way is a 44-mile long distance walking route that will take you from its dramatic start, high on the chalk downs at Inkpen, to follow much of the course of the River Test to Eling where its tidal waters flow into Southampton Water. Without doubt, the Test is one of Hampshire’s finest chalk streams, world famous for its superb trout fishing.
September Reset The wonderful ladies of Fitstate, Zoe and Emma, are passionate about helping women to juggle busy lives whilst maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle through making the right food choices to managing time to fit in exercise and meditation. Reap the health benefits of a cold-water plunge followed by a gentle stretching session and forest trail walk, pick up some handy nutrition tips when our chef introduces your lunch and return home after the mini retreat feeling zen from the yoga and meditation session.
Lime Wood, a boutique country house hotel, is set in the heart of the New Forest National Park, 1.5 miles from the small town of Lyndhurst and just an hour and a half drive from London.
Beyond the New Forest heathlands and into the pretty village of Brockenhurst, lies Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa. This former hunting lodge and manor house is rich in history and provides the perfect destination for a relaxing retreat.
Hilton Southampton – Utilita Bowl is the stunning, modern hotel located at the home of Hampshire Cricket in Southampton, Hampshire. The striking property exudes a sense of occasion, boasting spectacular views across the iconic Utilita Bowl cricket, concert and events stadium and Boundary Lakes, the venue’s 18-hole golf course.
Southampton’s only 5-star hotel, offering 119 luxury rooms including 10 suites, an award-winning restaurant, a luxury spa with state-of-the-art gym, a destination rooftop bar, and stunning contemporary interiors throughout.
