Looking for the perfect way to say “thank you” this Mother’s Day? Whether your mum is a fan of elegant afternoon teas, tranquil garden strolls, or high-octane adventures, Hampshire is brimming with ways to make her feel special. From creative workshops to sunset views and West End-style shows, our guide to things to do in Hampshire this Mother’s Day has you covered. We’ve rounded up the best family days out and budget-friendly ideas to help you plan a memorable celebration without the stress!

Afternoon Tea & Gardens

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens are welcoming spring with vibrant camellias and the promise of spectacular magnolia blooms in March. Celebrate Mother’s Day with a special lunch served in The Garden Restaurant & Tea Rooms (main image). Afternoon tea gift vouchers are also available as a perfect gift.

Exbury is offering half price admission to all mums on Mother’s Day. Enjoy a spring walk amongst a backdrop of colourful camellias, magnolias and a sea of yellow daffodils alongside the Beaulieu River. Make a beautiful dried flower bouquet in a guided family workshop, and enjoy a delicious lunch at Mr Eddy’s Restaurant. 

Celebrate Mother’s Day on 15th March at Marwell Zoo with a special afternoon tea in the historic Grade I listed Marwell Hall, then spend the afternoon exploring the zoo. Treat yourself to a selection of sweet and savoury delights, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and children’s options available.

Make Mum feel on top of the world this 15th March at Spinnaker Tower For £55pp, enjoy a Champagne Afternoon Tea with Moët & Chandon and handcrafted treats overlooking the Solent. Your ticket includes all-day tower admission, so you can brave the Glass Sky Walk together!

Indulge in a beautifully prepared selection of all your afternoon tea favourites, all served in the charming surroundings of the Milestones Museum Tea Tent, now available to book online.

Celebrate Mother’s Day at Stansted Park. On the Saturday, treat your mum to a Spring Floristry Workshop and create a beautiful spring wreath with gorgeous seasonal bulbs. On Mothering Sunday, spend a day out together at the beautiful Stansted House and enjoy free admission to the house for all Mothers.

For an extra touch of elegance, treat Mum to a sophisticated Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at The Glass House Tea Room located within Houghton Lodge Gardens. On 15th March, you can enjoy a selection of freshly prepared finger sandwiches and classic scones, all while being serenaded by live music from Charlie Greenwood. It’s a beautifully serene setting in the village of Houghton. Just be sure to book early!

Treat mum to a wonderful afternoon tea at the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary followed by a walk in the spring sunshine meeting over 100 donkeys and ponies.

Three-course Mother’s Day lunches at Hawk Conservancy Trust include a day ticket to the whole site. So, you could treat your mum to a delicious meal prepared by expert chefs and served in the Griffon Rooms in between stunning bird flying displays.

Explore Hampshire together

Looking for that perfect Mother’s Day outing? Southampton’s Tudor House and Garden offers a day out experiencing 800 years of history in the beautiful Old Town. If your mum is more interested in maritime history, why not take her to SeaCity Musuem to find out all about Southampton’s Titanic story. In both venues you can finish the day with coffee and cake.

Treat Mum to thrilling fun this March at Calshot Activities Centre, from Ringos and Aero Trek to themed climbing challenges and more! Make memories in the historic WW1 hangar, then relax together at the seafront café with stunning views! Give the gift of adventure and surprise her with a gift voucher!

For a Mother’s Day with a twist, head to New Forest Wildlife Park. It’s a wonderful spot to slow down and spend quality time together, whether you’re strolling through the ancient woodland or spotting playful giant otters and majestic red deer. For a gift she’ll never forget, you could surprise her with an animal keeper experience or an ‘adopt an animal’ pack. After exploring, you can treat Mum to a relaxing coffee and a slice of cake at the forest-themed café, the perfect way to round off a restorative family day out.

Treat Mum to a gift she won’t forget this mother’s day with New Forest Activities. You’ll enjoy a gentle guided tour through the idyllic Beaulieu River Nature Reserve, finishing at The Master Builder’s pub where you can choose to enjoy a glass of bubbly! 

Celebrate Mother’s Day with thrilling Tower Adventures or Archery Adventures in the heart of the New Forest at the Tile Barn Outdoor Centre. Climb with auto‑belays, try the quick flight jump, or enjoy archery in a fun, safe environment. Suitable for ages 6+. Treat her to an experience she’ll love with an adventure voucher!

Explore The Vyne, a hidden Hampshire gem. This former Tudor powerhouse turned 17th-century family home is set in gardens, woodlands and wetlands. Inside, The Vyne’s pre-Reformation chapel showcases the earliest depiction of Henry VIII in stained glass. Outside, a Lime Avenue leads to a 17th-century summerhouse and 600-year-old oak tree. A lakeside path offers views of the house.

Theatre and shows

This year Theatre Royal Winchester is celebrating Mothers Day with Thank You For The Music: The Ultimate Tribute to ABBA (Sun 15) – the international smash tribute, now in its 21st year and celebrating a brand-new show featuring favourites including Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia and many more, colourful costumes and dazzling performances! Or, why not buy a loved one a gift voucher so that they can pick a show they’ll enjoy and remember for years to come – with plenty to choose from – theatre, dance, music, comedy, talks and much more.

Treat your Mum this Mother’s Day to a night of Irish music with The Dubliners Encore at The Portsmouth Guildhall. Rediscover the original bad boys of folk: the beards, ballads, and band that put Ireland on the world stage. Sing along to The Wild Rover, Seven Drunken Nights, Whiskey in the Jar, and more.

Mother’s Day gift ideas

Treat Mum this Mother’s Day with a 2-course lunch at RT Café Grill and a return hovercraft ticket. Chef Robert Thompson MBE’s menu celebrates the Isle of Wight’s flavours. Book advance fares to save on travel and make Mum’s day extra special. 

Give the ultimate Mother’s Day gift with a night of pure pop nostalgia. There ain’t no party like an S Club party, and it’s coming to Portsmouth Guildhall, featuring S Club’s Jon and Jo with a live band, plus a high-energy DJ set from Bradley. She’ll love every moment, guaranteed.

Looking for unique things to gift on Mother’s Day? Treat your mum to a Thruxton Driving Experience she’ll never forget. With exciting experience days available on 27th and 28th March, gift an unforgettable memory and a gift that truly stands out. 

Take Mother’s Day to new heights at Go Ape! Give Mum a “tree-mendous” gift that she’ll “ape-reciate” for years to come. Forget the ordinary bunch of flowers – let her challenge herself and enjoy an unforgettable adventure together in the treetops!

Check out our latest blogs, events, itineraries and vouchers. Use them to help plan your days out across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight all year round! Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok so you never miss a thing!

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2025 Blog

Hampshire’s Top Attractions has got you covered this Mother’s Day, no matter what your mum loves, you’ll find a gift or a day out to make her feel special here! Keep reading to discover Mother’s Day events & gift ideas in Hampshire!

Explore Together

Try something new this Mother’s Day and take the special lady in your life to the wonderfully different Isle of Wight, where royal residences, award-winning eateries, and boutique shops await. Sail over in style in Red Funnel’s premium Signature Lounge and enjoy complimentary refreshments with panoramic views of the Solent. 

Treat your Mum to some memories this Mother’s Day at Gilbert White’s House & Gardens. Enjoy an afternoon tea with delicately decorated cakes, scones, and finger sandwiches, and explore the gardens in the spring, when the trees will be filled with blossom and the grounds will come to life with tulips. Plus lots of fun for the whole family within the House too. 

Visit Exbury Gardens from 8th March to see a spectacular display of camellias and magnolias and a stunning show of spring bulbs in Daffodil Meadow and the River of Gold.  You can also make a beautiful dried flower bouquet at family workshops on the weekends leading up to Mother’s Day.

This National Theatre Live screening of The Importance of Being Earnest (30 March) at Theatre Royal Winchester features Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke and Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa, is directed by Life of Pi’s Max Webster, and reimagines Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy about identity, impersonation and romance.

Have the BEST. DAY. EVER this Mother’s Day with a trip to Paultons Park! With over 70 wonderful rides and attractions to enjoy, an incredible collection of animals to meet, and beautiful gardens to explore you will make memories to last forever!

Give wildlife-loving mums a truly unforgettable gift: a Keeper Experience at the New Forest Wildlife Park. This personalised adventure offers a unique glimpse into the daily lives and habits of the animals, inspiring a deeper appreciation for conservation. Guided by an expert keeper, Mum can experience anything from feeding endangered giant otters and majestic bison to meeting a barn owl face-to-face. It’s a gift she’ll treasure.

Treat your mum to a wild day out at Marwell Zoo this Mother’s Day. Spot red pandas, amur tigers, and Rothschild’s giraffe as you explore the 140-acre attraction. Make sure you download the Marwell Zoo app for feed times and animal facts.

Join Butser Ancient Farm for a spring weekend of celebration! Watch newborn lambs frolic in the fields, explore the ancient buildings and get hands-on with free drop in crafts workshops to learn spinning, make a shell candle, plant ancient woad seeds to take home, and more. Better yet, entry is free for mothers and mother figures!

Give the gift of theatre this Mother’s Day! New Theatre Royal Portsmouth has a fantastic line-up of comedy, drama, dance, music, musicals, workshops and more throughout the year. There’s so much choice so if you can’t decide what show to get her tickets to, why not get a gift voucher and let her choose for herself? 

Celebrate Mother’s Day with Bombay Sapphire’s special Mother’s Day Cinema Night on Saturday the 29th of March at 6pm or Sunday the 30th of March at 5pm. Enjoy an arrival gin and tonic cocktail, popcorn and a mini afternoon tea platter that includes a selection of cakes and sandwiches.

Treat your Mum to a day out at Stansted Park over the Mother’s Day weekend. Enjoy a Spring Floristry Workshop on Saturday, where you will create a beautiful spring meadow table arrangement. On Mothering Sunday, discover Stansted House and enjoy an upstairs, downstairs experience, with Mum’s visiting for free.

Surprise Mum with a day out on the world’s favourite and longest-running passenger hovercraft service. Glide across to the Isle of Wight and explore a variety of attractions, from stunning coastal walks to historic landmarks and charming eateries. Make your Mother’s Day unforgettable with Hovertravel. 

History and heritage

Mother’s Day hits differently in the military – find out about maternity in the military with the Royal Logistic Corps Museum’s Rations for Two exhibition, exploring the changing face of MOD maternity policy and the development of maternity uniforms. Entrance to the exhibition and the Museum is free.

Treat Mum to a family day out at Beaulieu this Mother’s Day! See everything the attraction has to offer from rich history in Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey and a serene aerial tour on the monorail, to beautiful views around the gardens and over 285 vehicles in the world-famous National Motor Museum.

The D-Day Story has perfect gifts for the history fan in your life from an embroidery kit inspired by The Overlord Embroidery to Invasion stripes Spitfire scarves and Second World War books. You can also upgrade your ticket to an annual pass for unlimited visits within 12 months.

Treat Mum to an annual pass at Winchester Cathedral this Mother’s Day and unlock a year of discovery. The gift that keeps on giving, an annual pass to Winchester Cathedral will grant you access to the three-level Kings and Scribes exhibition, regular lunchtime concerts, art installations and more. Start your exploration on Mother’s Day with an experience that will delight all ages! You could also attend the Mother’s Day service and enjoy world-class music, and stop by the Cathedral Café for a slice of cake and a cup of tea.

For Active Mums

Give the gift of adventure this Mother’s Day at Calshot Activities Centre and make your mum’s biggest dreams a reality. Whether she’s always wanted to ski, race around a velodrome, or scale the heights of a climbing wall, book her an experience and treat her to something truly special.

Mum loves adventure too! This Mother’s Day, give your Mum the gift of a Go Ape experience. Swinging and laughing through the treetops together is a unique chance to make unforgettable memories that she’ll treasure forever.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a scenic bike ride in the New Forest. Enjoy free bike hire for Mum, explore beautiful routes, and stop for tasty treats. Perfect for creating special memories. Book now for an unforgettable day with Cyclexperience!

New Forest Activities are back with their annual Mother’s Day Paddle to the Pub! Celebrate your Mum in style with a gentle guided tour through Beaulieu River, ending at The Master Builder’s Pub. Enjoy making some special memories together and let Mum enjoy some downtime!

Afternoon tea and workshops

There are many ways to celebrate at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. From booking an event or workshop such as Chocolate Making. Book a table at the restaurant or afternoon tea gift vouchers. Membership makes a fantastic gift too that lasts for the year!

Why not give your mum the gift of time to herself and relax for Mother’s Day? Buy a voucher for one of Southampton City Council’s workshops, Watercolours for Wellbeing on Saturday 5 April is always a popular choice. Or why not give the gift of a visit to SeaCity Museum or Tudor House and Garden? One full-price ticket will also buy her free entry for a whole year.

Treat your mum this Mothers’ Day to a delicious cream tea, while travelling on board a heritage steam train with The Watercress Line.

For a Mothering Sunday with a difference, watch birds soar and enjoy a special Afternoon Tea at the Hawk Conservancy Trust! Enjoy delicious sweet and savoury treats, plus a glass of bubbly for Mum! There’s limited spaces for this luxurious experience to make your visit even more special.

How about some acoustic music with Mothers Day afternoon tea? Head to at The Glass House, surrounded by the gorgeous Houghton Lodge Gardens to enjoy this extra special event. Indulge in an unforgettable Afternoon Tea Experience at Bombay Sapphire Distillery this Mother’s Day.