Celebrate Mother's Day in South Bank

Mothering Sunday is coming up on 10 March, a wonderful opportunity to show the mother figures in your life – be they mothers, grandmothers, wives, aunts or godmothers – just how much you appreciate them.

Here are some ideas for how and where to celebrate in South Bank this year to get you inspired.

Treat mum to afternoon tea

There are few things as splendidly decadent as a classic British afternoon tea. Relaxing for hours in grand surroundings with an opulent spread before you and perhaps even a glass of bubbly too to toast the occasion – what a treat!

For a classic afternoon tea experience with a magnificent riverside view book for The Library at the Marriott County Hall. The venue is an Edwardian-era wood-panelled reading room that looks right onto Big Ben and the afternoon tea spread is served with fantastic single-origin and single-harvest (micro-batch) teas produced by independent artisan farmers.

For a contemporary twist book for OXO Tower Restaurant’s afternoon tea. Located up on the rooftop of the OXO Tower Wharf, this venue is famous for its impressive views over the river and contemporary British flavours.

Book a table for Mother’s Day lunch

Get the family together in South Bank for a Mother’s Day Sunday lunch. This weekend scores of South Bank restaurants are running special Mother's Day menus to ensure you can treat those mother figures in your life in style.

Look out for special Mother’s Day lunch and brunch menus at popular restaurants across South Bank including the elegant contemporary restaurant Skylon at Royal Festival Hall, the fancy OXO Tower Restaurant Bar & Brasserie and the classic Brasserie Blanc.

Views over the river from Skylon restaurant window tables

Skylon at Royal Festival Hall

Celebrate with dinner and a show

Dinner and a world-class theatre show at one of London’s top theatres is always a winning way to celebrate a special occasion in style. For one of the most immersive whodunnit theatre experiences – staged inside an actual century-old debating chamber no less! – the gripping production of Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution at County Hall is superb.

For dinner before the show you are spoiled for choice and most South Bank restaurants run special pre-theatre set menus. Popular destinations include Forza Wine and Lasdun at the National Theatre, The Archduke, Gillray’s Steakhouse at County Hall, the Locale pizzeria (located right in front of County Hall), and La Gamba, Skylon, Côte Brasserie or Brasserie Blanc at Southbank Centre. See our full pre-theatre dining guide here for more!

Spend the morning at the Garden Museum

Is Mum a fan of flowers and gardening? If the answer is yes, then a visit to the brilliant Garden Museum next to Lambeth Palace Bridge is a must! Housed in what was once a medieval church, this charming museum explores and celebrates British gardens, gardening and garden design through the ages. The museum also hosts beautifully curated art exhibitions themed around gardens and the natural world and there’s a lovely little museum gift shop if you’d like to pick up some gardening gifts.

After visiting the museum, stay on for lunch at the excellent Garden Café, truly a ‘hidden gem’ of the neighbourhood, where Head Chef Myles Donaldson (ex St John Bread & Wine) serves a weekly changing bistro menu based on local seasonal produce. The cafe is very popular and reservations are recommended.

Unwind at a spa

Designed by the multi-award-winning British design maestro Tom Dixon, agua spa is the chic urban spa at the luxurious Sea Containers London hotel. Described as ‘curated, quirky and convivial’, the spa emphasises spirituality, well-being and the mind-body connection.

There’s a serene underground oasis feel to this discreet space and with a choice of exclusive agua treatments and massages as well as facials, manicures and pedicures it’s an ideal place to escape the city for a few hours. Book mum in for a treatment or buy a gift voucher online. Find out more here.