Guide to celebrating Mother's Day in London

Lively Balham venue The Bedford offers fun ways to celebrate Mother's Day. This buzzy and quirky venue is a hotel, bar, and restaurant with lots of events. Join a two hour painting session for Mother's Day with guidance from the resident artist. Alternatively, treat your mum to a Sunday roast here with live jazz and swing music. 

If your mum's a keen gardener, take her to admire the botanicals at Kew Gardens. Wander through towering trees and elegant gardens at this Thameside destination. You can also visit the Princess of Wales Conservatory, home to 10 different temperature-controlled climate zones and a fascinating array of plant species.

Take your mum to Kenwood House for a stroll around an impressive stately home. At this grand property you'll find attractive interiors and gardens, an art collection that includes a work by Rembrandt, and a café serving snacks and meals. Activities for kids are on too and there's a secondhand bookshop.

If your mum is creative, take her to The London Art Bar for a painting and prosecco session. Centred around Monet's 'Water Lilies', you can paint your own with a glass of prosecco and a cream tea to help you celebrate the day. This is an artsy and sociable environment with guidance from a professional artist.

The Somers Town Coffee House has a country pub vibe and loads of exciting areas to explore. As well as the main pub and restaurant there's a cosy cocktail bar on-site. Take your mum along for brunch with an espresso martini masterclass thrown in. Make your own cocktails, take home a goody bag, and enjoy a dish from the brunch menu.

Take your mum to Catford's Broadway Theatre for the Mother's Day Comedy Special, where you can enjoy great music and top comedy performers together. This inclusive Art Deco theatre has been at the heart of the local community since 1932 and puts on dance, music, comedy, and theatre productions, including both professional and amateur shows. 

Take mum for a day out and buy her a treat at Columbia Road Flower Market. This traditional market is on every Sunday, with flowers and foliage from all over the country available to buy, so you can be sure you'll find a bouquet your mother loves. Music from buskers fills the air.

Mums with a sweet tooth will love Biscuiteers. These stylish cafés and shops in West London sell elegantly-iced biscuits in various fun designs. Take your mum for a special themed afternoon tea or go to a class where you can learn to ice your own biscuits. You can also combine both experiences for a memorable day out.

Brixton venue The Courtesan is a refined cocktail bar and dim sum restaurant. Expect a sophisticated space, creative menus, and lively entertainment. For Mother's Day there's an energetic musical theatre show with a stellar cast. Tickets are available just for the show but you can add food and drinks if you want to.

Take your mother for an unforgettable Sunday lunch with Bateaux London. You'll get a luxurious meal with live jazz music and gorgeous sights as you gently cruise along the River Thames. The three course menu is traditional and there's a broad choice of drinks including wine and cocktails on these sophisticated cruises.

Musical mums will appreciate a special lunch at Boisdale. These two restaurants have a proudly Scottish identity, reflected in the decor, menus of Scottish produce, and the whisky bar. On Mother's Day both locations host a jazz Sunday lunch with live music and a roast of top quality Scottish beef.

Treat your mum to a seasonal meal in the glorious surroundings of Somerset House. Head chef Skye Gyngell produces daily-changing menus that highlight quality produce, served in bright and airy surroundings. Expect fresh options like winter tomato salad and beef fillet with hollandaise. This restaurant also has initiatives to minimise waste.

Take your mum for an upscale Italian meal at The Petersham in Covent Garden. The environment is classic and elegant and when it comes to the food, the focus is on quality and provenance. Indulge in the tasting menu or choose à la carte dishes like roasted artichokes, homemade pasta, and herb-crusted lamb.

For mums who enjoy the finer things in life, The Ritz is a no-brainer. This glam Michelin-starred restaurant just oozes opulence and is a fab destination for any celebration. For Mother's Day there's a special three course lunch prepared with fine British ingredients, and all the mums also receive an exclusive gift to take home.

We all know mums do all the hard work so let her indulge at Gloria. This famously-OTT restaurant has a lush interior and a jaw-dropping menu of extravagant Italian food. Ingredients are sourced from small producers in Italy. Finish off a meal by sharing an epically-proportioned slice of lemon meringue pie with mumsy.

Savour elegant seafood recipes in a modern and simple space at Westerns Laundry. This well-regarded North London restaurant is airy and industrial. Menus are chalked up on blackboards and change regularly. Diners can expect small and large plates like pasta, fish stew, and cured bass. There's a concise wine list too focusing on natural bottles.

For a Michelin-starred meal with a view, don't miss The River Café. This stalwart of the food scene has a warm and welcoming atmosphere and serves authentic Italian food. You can try fresh seasonal dishes like pasta or chargrilled scallops, as well as the rich and indulgent Chocolate Nemesis dessert.

For fresh Mediterranean cooking prepared with healthy ingredients, take your mother to A.O.K Kitchen. You'll find a bright and attractive dining space with florals and trailing branches. Pavement tables are available too. Dishes on the well-considered menu are made with artisan produce, with options like quinoa salad and grilled halibut.

Vibrant and sophisticated restaurant Daphne's is an upmarket spot for an Italian meal. There are lighter and more filling options available in this classic and elaborate setting, and private dining is available if you're planning a big family meal. Try antipasti, pasta, and meat dishes served with cocktails or wine.

Founded in 1929, Quaglino's has a legendary reputation. Expect glamour and opulence when you eat here, from the decor to the food and drink. Live music is a big part of the experience here and Mother's Day is no exception. Bring your mum along for and indulgent three course lunch with music from top performers.

For Mother's Day, Bocconcino in Mayfair will treat your mum like it treats Italian food – with prestige and care. They'll be hosting a Mother's Day Bottomless Brunch on Sunday, 19 March, featuring unlimited wood-fired pizzas and bottomless bubbles. Special spring-inspired cocktails will be available for the weekend only, and mums will also get a heart-warming gift from the chef.

Give your mum an afternoon tea fit for the queen she is at The Rubens at the Palace. With fabulous views of Buckingham Palace you can enjoy a classic afternoon tea with attentive service. Afternoon tea is also available for various dietary needs, so everyone can enjoy this tradition. Add champagne to make it even more special.

Take mum for afternoon tea with a difference at The Mind Palace. This is a Sherlock Holmes-themed speakeasy cocktail bar where you can play puzzle games as you kick back with a drink. The themed afternoon tea is suitable for everyone aged 10+ and includes a tabletop mystery game to solve whilst you tuck in.

One of the world's most famous afternoon teas is at The Thames Foyer at The Savoy. You and your mum can take in gorgeous river views whilst savouring a refined treat. More than 30 different teas are available to choose from, served with sandwiches, scones, and pastries. You can also add on champagne.

Visit impressive Georgian events venue 116 Pall Mall for a Mother's Day afternoon tea in central London. You'll enjoy refined sandwiches, scones, and sweet nibbles with tea or coffee, and a glass of fine champagne if you like. Vegan and gluten-free menus are available and there's a selection for children available too.

Visit The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason for a gourmet treat on Mother's Day. In these sophisticated surroundings you can sample a variety of afternoon tea menus including a classic option, a savoury selection, and plant-based or gluten free options. A gift voucher for afternoon tea here is also a fab present.

Visit The Library at County Hall for afternoon tea by the Thames. You'll get attractive river views and elegant surroundings with bookcases as room dividers. It's a polished space serving traditional and vegan afternoon tea selections of sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats. You can add a glass of champagne or free-flowing English sparkling wine.

Luxury Bloomsbury hotel The Montague on the Gardens is an appealing destination for afternoon tea. Enjoy tea in the on-site bar or out on the terrace. It's an English tradition served in comfortable surroundings, with a smaller tea available for the youngest guests. Expect sandwiches, scones, and tasty cakes.

Treat your mum to some luxury truffles from Charbonnel et Walker. Founded in 1875, this was one of the country's original specialist chocolatiers. Shop in the stores for flavoursome chocolate truffles boxed up in elegant packaging that make a delightful gift for any mum on Mother's Day.

If you're shopping for unique gifts in North London, check out Map Gift Shop. This vibrant hot pink shop sells fab gifts for every occasion and sources products from many local makers. Gifts in stock range from fashion, jewellery, and accessories to toiletries, homewares, and London-themed items, plus greetings cards are sold.

Founded in 1994 by two ballet dancers, Bloomsbury Flowers is a florist specialising in classic and elegant bouquets. Floral arrangements can be delivered throughout London, as well as to other locations. These are bespoke arrangements and you can get expert advice about the right blooms to leave your mum feeling impressed.

Voted the world's best department store, you can be confident that there's a great gift for your mum at Selfridges. Whether your mum is into fashion, is a foodie, loves sprucing up her home, or just wants a bit of mum-time, the various departments at Selfridges have great gifts from candles to perfumes or food hampers.

Award-winning gift shop Mooch has great options for Mother's Day, including letterbox gifts if you're not able to spend the day with the main woman herself. Items range from budget-friendly buys to luxurious hampers, including homeware, fashion, toiletries, and foodie treats. You can also let mum choose her own present with a voucher.

For flowers that are full of distinctive character, visit Grace & Thorn in East London. This florist stocks fresh and dried flowers and specialises in bold and imaginative bouquets. Same-day delivery is available throughout London and you can also get bouquets delivered nationwide. Expect eye-catching colours and textures and bold combinations of flowers.

Enfield Charter Market has existed since 1303. This bustling space is in the heart of Enfield Town and on 12th March there's a special Mother's Day market that's ideal for finding a unique gift for your mum. You'll find loads of locally-made and handcrafted items, plus there's live music, a food court, and a bar so you can make a day of it.