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Mother's Day in London 2017: Where to treat your mum on March 26

Thanks for having me: toast mothers everywhere with the Mum-osa cocktail at All Star Lanes
Thanks for having me: toast mothers everywhere with the Mum-osa cocktail at All Star Lanes

As Mothering Sunday approaches, this year falling on March 26, take on board the timeless wisdom of Mr T: ‘Treat her right/Treat your mother right’.

While buying a bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates makes for a solid start, there’s plenty else happening across the capital to tell your mum ‘thanks for having me’.

Feast

With Lent’s rules relaxed for a day, Mothering Sunday was sometimes known as Refreshment Sunday, which seems like the perfect excuse to go out and eat silly amounts: you'll just be getting in the spirit of things.

Afternoon Tea is an old reliable, and countless hotels and restaurants are laying on special selections. Sketch, as arguably the capital’s best looking restaurant, is sure to impress, and their brightly-coloured offering boasts caviar and quail’s eggs. There’s boozy fun to be had at Little Nan’s, where tea is rather overshadowed by the tropical cocktails, while in Belgravia, R London is serving up pure chocolate decadence. Over at CERU, straightforward scones have been pushed aside in favour of flavours of the Levant – the Turkish pistachio baklava sounds particularly good.

If you’re looking for something a little more orthodox, read our pick of the best traditional teas here – and be sure to book up early: sittings fill up well in advance. Though the Ritz is perhaps the biggest name, our preference would be for the Savoy or Claridge’s.

Save your Ritz experience for their Michelin-starred restaurant: the tremendous three course Sunday lunch menu is worth every penny at £62. Speaking of Sunday lunch, a roast is hard to beat for a family get-together: we’ve rounded up our favourites here.

Can’t choose? Try for a table at Blacklock, The Harwood Arms or The Jugged Hare, or the excellent Upstairs at Trinity, in Balham, who are running a special Mother’s Day club. Alternatively, for an Italian twist, try the new Sunday menu that’s launching at Sartoria. If you’re in the mood for an altogether more spirited affair, try Mr Fogg’s Tavern, where mums can drink for free during a bottomless roast.

Those really looking to impress should head to one of the capital’s best restaurants with a view. Either of the restaurants at the top of the walkie talkie, the Darwin Brasserie and Fenchurch, are excellent calls – the Sky Garden is beautiful spot to stroll through, and the views are reliably stunning. That’s true of Galvin at Windows, too, and the Galvin brothers' food is first rate. For a drink looking out over the skyline, try the ME London & Radio Rooftop Bar, who are hosting a Mother's Day brunch – be sure to have a glass or two of champagne.

Cruising restaurant London Shell Co, aboard the Prince Regent canal boat, promises a memorable old time with seven courses of seafood for £45-a-head, served as the boat gently meanders down the Regent’s Canal.

You needn’t tell your mother you’re not paying, but mums can eat for free at a few places across town, provided they’re taken by paying family members. Upscale Indian Darbaar is good for a luxury bite; Benito’s Hat works for a burrito; Copenhagen’s pizzeria MOTHER are celebrating their forthcoming restaurant with free pizzas for everyone, and Battersea’s Bunga Bunga serve their free meals for mums complete with an Elvis impersonator.

Alternatively, treat your mum at one of London’s best wine bars, or one of the capital’s best bakeries, depending on her mood.

Fill the day

It doesn’t all need to be all about filling up on food, though: take the chance to finally explore our beautiful parks. Read our guide to everything you can do in London’s best outdoor spaces.

If the stunning gardens win over mum, then flower arranging might be a welcome surprise: head to The Hoxton in Shoreditch for a floral workshop, courtesy of Olivia Burton and Wild Wood. Similarly, Emily Ayres of Design By Nature is hosting a floristry workshop over at the Coppa Club. If you can’t make one on the day itself, head to the Hand-Tied Bouquet workshop at the Social Pantry Cafe on March 28.

For something a little less sedate, head to the O2 and climb the roof, or speed down the river on the Thames Rocket. If the weather’s not all that, console yourself at All Star Lanes with some bowling and a free ‘mum-osa’ cocktail.

For some kitsch fun, try the South Place Chop House, where they’re screening Mamma Mia! in the secret garden bar pop-up cinema. Tickets are £46, but include a hearty roast lunch.

Of course, for those preferring the stage, Mamma Mia! is still on at the Novello Theatre. For more recommendations, read our latest theatre reviews.

Finally, relive those Saturday nights in front of the telly laughing at Cilla with Blind Date With A Twist, where improv comedians Leanna Wigginton and Angela Pollard perform a live riff on the classic show, dedicated to mothers. They’re also promising plenty of nonsense games, including a nappy change challenge. Right then. Mums go free, obviously.