Mother's Day

Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday is a time for families to get together and a chance to say thanks to Mum. There are some great places along the River Thames to take mum, whether it’s a walk along the Thames Path National Trail, a visit to one of the glorious gardens filled with early spring flowers or enjoying Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Tea. We’ve pulled together a few ideas below:

Did you know?

Mothering Sunday in Britain, now more commonly known as Mother’s Day, is distinct from the American version, as the day has origins in families returning to their "mother" church on the fourth Sunday of the season of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar. Domestic servants were given the day off to return home and the day would reunite families. It was a custom to pick wild flowers, or take a gift of food, to give mothers as a gift or to take to church.

Here’s some great Mother’s Day treats for 2025:

Treat mum to an afternoon tea:

  • Enjoy Mother's Day at Danesfield House, Near Marlow with the River Thames and the Chilterns as a backdrop. 

  • Why not choose the Sunday Lunch menu at Relais Henley. Situated by the banks of the Thames in Henley, The Clipper has an easy charm and the feel of being in an English country house, emphasised by its spectacular high ceiling. Leading out to a charming courtyard – with heated pergola.
  • Or for something truly special 'CREATE YOUR MOMENT IN HISTORY AFTERNOON TEA' at Cliveden. Cliveden’s histoy is interwoven with the tales of influential individuals and moments  who have left a long-lasting imprint on Cliveden House. To honour the estate’s legacy, Executive Head Chef, Christopher Hannon and his team have curated a comprehensive Cliveden history inspired Afternoon Tea.
  • For something more informal, organise lunch or dinner at one of Brakspear's pubs along the River Thames. Take a look at what they offer. The Cherry Tree Inn, Stoke Row, (5 miles from Henley), has a pub garden with two restored vintage tractors for children, pet bunny enclosure and famous kitchen garden with its own bees.

Visit one of the best English Gardens

Explore the beautiful gardens along the River Thames, some of the best in the UK including woodland gardens and exotic plants from around the world. Including:

  • Cliveden National Trust's gardens has swathes of daffodils and snowdrops.
  • Stonor has three gardens to explore; the ponds and fountains of the 17th Century Italianate Pleasure Garden, the old Kitchen Garden designed and nurtured by Lady Camoys and the Arboretum. 
  • The Savill Garden, in Windsor Great Park, is known as Britain's finest ornamental garden with 35 acres of interconnecting gardens and exotic woodland.
  • Royal Botanic Gardens Kew From the vast Arboretum to an Alpine rock garden, there's something to see in every corner. In the Temperate House discover rare and threatened plants in the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse.

There's more to discover.