BLUEWATER
If your mum’s favourite treat is to shop ‘til she drops, then Kent’s biggest shopping centre at GREENHITHE is prepared for you this weekend. On Friday, March 13, LK Bennett is holding a mother and daughter personal styling event from 10am to 9pm with a complimentary styling appointment, mini makeovers from Bobbi Brown and hand massages from Molton Brown while enjoying a complimentary glass of Prosecco. Meanwhile, White Stuff is asking ‘Tell us why your Mum’s the Bee’s Knee’s’ for the chance to win an outfit for your mum up to £75.

Visit www.bluewater.co.uk

CHARTWELL
History and horticulture combine at the former home of Sir Winton Churchill, near WESTERHAM, so the venue potentially taps into two of your mum’s interests. The rooms remain much as they were when Churchill lived here, with pictures, books and personal mementoes evoking the career and wide-ranging interests of the great man, while the hillside gardens reflect his love of the landscape and nature. The grounds include the lakes he created, the kitchen garden and the Marycot, a playhouse designed for his youngest daughter Mary. Afternoon tea will be served in the Mulberry Room on Mother’s Day. Prices cost either £12.95 per person or £19.95 per person for standard or sparkling afternoon tea. Booking is essential. Call 01732861161.

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell

CHIDDINGSTONE CASTLE
How about Sunday afternoon tea in the drawing room or great hall of a bona fide castle to make mum feel like a queen for the day? Chiddingstone, near TONBRIDGE, is throwing open the White Rose Drawing Room for homemade sandwiches and cakes, accompanied by their fab scones served with homemade jam and clotted cream. Bookings are being taken for tables of all sizes with sittings at 1.30pm and 3.30pm. It costs £18 per person and £6 for children under six.

Pre-booking is essential on 01892 872746 or via email to events@chiddingstonecastle.org.uk

DODDINGTON PLACE GARDENS
Ten-acre gardens hosting a birds of prey flying display will make a thrilling treat at this Victorian mansion near SITTINGBOURNE. What’s more, as an extra special thank you – all the mums get free entry on Mother’s Day Light lunches, homemade cakes and afternoon teas will be served in this idyllic setting from 11am to 5pm. Entry costs £6 for adults and £2 for children.

Visit www.doddingtonplacegardens.co.uk or call 01795 886101.

HEVER CASTLE
Did mum love the BBC TV drama Wolf Hall recently, Hilary Mantel’s story of the goings-on in Henry VIII’s court? The romantic double-moated castle near EDENBRIDGE, which was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, brings 700 years of history to life. Craft workshops will be put for young visitors on Mother’s Day to make a special gift to take home, and celebrations will continue in the restaurant with a themed menu. Entry costs £16 for adults, £9 for children and £42.50 for a family.

Visit www.hevercastle.co.uk or call 01732 865224.

HOLE PARK GARDEN
It’s all about family at this private estate which has been in the Barham family for the past four generations. Formal gardens combine with 10 acres of natural woodland at the fragrant venue near TENTERDEN. The extensive gardens were developed, laid out and planted by Colonel Barham, the great-grandfather of the present owners, in the years between the two world wars. The present owners, Edward and Clare Barham, have created new features around the gardens including the recently renovated sundial garden with its pretty mosaic path. Entry costs £7 for adults and £1 for children.
Visit www.holepark.com or call 01580 241344.

HOP FARM
If mum likes things sweet and stylish, then she’ll be in her element in the throwback 1950s glamour of a new American-style ice cream parlour at the Hop Farm Family Park, near PADDOCK WOOD. Hopper’s Cream and Ice Bar opens this weekend selling an amazing array of flavours produced from real local dairy milk and cream, Made by nearby ice cream connoisseurs Taywell. Offerings include rhubarb and ginger crumble, raspberry pavlova, white chocolate and blueberry with sorbets, sundaes and delicious waffles. The parlour opens from Saturday, March 14 and so can’t fail to be a real first for your mum on Sunday. If mum fancies something more traditional for Sunday lunch, there’s a two-course carvery available costing £11.95 per person and £6 for under 12s. Booking is essential on 01622 872068.

Visit www.hopfarm.co.uk

HUSH HEATH ESTATEIf she’s a classy lady with sophisticated tastes, then treat mum to a wine tour and high tea in the relaxing surroundings of Hush Heath winery and vineyard at STAPLEHURST. A glass of exclusive Balfour Brut Rosé awaits all mums on arrival, followed by a guided tour of the winery. High tea and a tutored introduction to all of Hush Heath’s wines and ciders completes this sparkling way to spend the day. Tours cost and must be pre-booked.

Visit www.hushheath.com or telephone 01622 832794.

IGHTHAM MOTE
Make a brooch for mum, treat her to a meal in the cafe or to a hand massage in the shop at this charming medieval moated manor house near SEVENOAKS. The house is surrounded by peaceful gardens with an orchard, water features, lakes and woodland walks. It’s the special 30th anniversary year of Ightham Mote being donated to the National Trust back in 1985, so there will be an extra sparkle in the air. Entry costs £10.80 for adults, £5.40 for children or £27 for a family.

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote

KENT AND EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY
Steam into mum's good books with a trip on one of three steam Mother's day departures from Tenterden at 10.45am, 1.20pm and 3.40pm. The trips include lunch or afternoon tea to tuck into on board whilst you look out of the window and enjoy the ride. Pre-book to avoid disappointment. The cost is £26 for mum and the usual fares and food prices apply to others. An adult fare costs £17, children £11.50 and family ticket £49.50.

Visit www.kesr.org.uk

KNOLE PARK
She’s dear to you so why not make a play on the theme with a day out at this medieval deer park, near SEVENOAKS? Originally an archbishop’s palace, Knole House passed through royal hands to the Sackville family – the inhabitants from 1603 to today. Inside the show rooms, art lovers will find Reynolds, Gainsborough and Van Dyck to admire. Textiles enthusiasts can marvel at the 17th-century tapestries and furniture that make the collection internationally significant. Entry costs £10.80 for adults, £5.40 for children or £26.50 for a family.

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole

LEEDS CASTLE
Food, glorious food is the route to mum’s heart at ‘the loveliest castle in the world’, near MAIDSTONE, where the chef at the Great British Kitchen has put together a special range of fresh fish, chicken, game and vegetable recipes for the occasion. Two courses and a drink cost £18.95 or three courses and a drink cost £24.95.

Visit www.leeds-castle.com

PENSHURST PLACE
Make it memorable with spring flowering bulbs and blossom at this historic house near TONBRIDGE, as the gardens burst into colour. As well as visiting the 14th century house and Grade I listed gardens, younger visitors can craft a handmade Mother’s Day card in the Old Coach House and the Garden Restaurant will be serving a special menu for the day. Penshurst Place is open from noon to 4pm. Entry costs £10.50 for adults, £6.50 for children or £30 for a family.

Visit www.penshurstplace.com or call 01892 870307.

PORT LYMPNE RESERVE
Take a walk on the wild side at Port Lympne. After exploring the wildlife park near HYTHE, why not drop in for afternoon tea at the Grade II listed mansion in the heart of the reserve? Freshly made sandwiches, homemade cakes and pastries including scones, jam and clotted cream are all available - as are the gorgeous views across the landscaped gardens to the coast. Booking is recommended. Afternoon teas cost £20. Admission to the park is not included in the price.

Visit www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne

RE-TAKE THAT, ASTOR THEATRE
It’s the not-so-guilty pleasure that she’s happy to shout from the rooftops: if your mum loves Take That then a tribute band performing in DEAL will make the perfect early Mother’s day gift to send her into the big day singing and dancing. Re-Take That are at the Astor Theatre on Saturday, March 14 at 8pm. Tickets cost from £14.

Visit www.theastor.org or call 01304 370220.

RIVERVIEW HIMALAYAN GARDENSSteal your mum’s heart at these interesting gardens near SEVENOAKS that are well known for their spectacular array of plant life. In the 19th century many new species were brought to the gardens from China and the Himalayas by the botanist John Rogers, a good friend of Charles Darwin. At this time of year the gardens will be carpeted with spring flowers, with rhododendrons and azaleas coming into bloom too. If mum likes her flowers, then there’s no better place to take her to make this Mother’s Day special. Entry costs £7.75, children £5.75 and families £24.

Visit www.riverhillgardens.co.uk

SCOTNEY CASTLE
Fairytales could come true if mum's ideal day involves, turrets, towers and walled gardens. Explore the atmospheric medieval moated castle surrounded by early spring blooms, the interior of the Victorian country mansion or the treats in the tea room and shop. What's more entry is free to all mums. Otherwise, entry costs £13 for adults, £6.50 for children or £32.50 for a family.

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle

SISSINGHURST CASTLE
Wax lyrical about mum’s charms at this former home of a poet, where there will be free truffles for all mothers at the restaurant. Vita Sackville-West, the poet and writer, began transforming Sissinghurst Castle, near CRANBROOK, in the 1930s with her diplomat and author husband, Harold Nicolson. Harold’s architectural planning of the garden rooms, and the colourful, abundant planting in the gardens by Vita, still reflect the romance and intimacy of her poems and writings. Entry costs £11.70 for adults, £5.65 for children and £29 for families.

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden

TURNER CONTEMPORARY
Culture and good food are on offer at MARGATE'S Turner Contemporary. There's the chance to visit Self exhibition then enjoy a special Mother's Day lunch and a glass of wine for £11.95 or an afternoon tea overlooking Margate Bay for £9.95. Entry to the museum is free. Self includes work by Sir Anthony van Dyck, John Constable, Tracey Emin, Lucian Freud, Antony Gormley, Damien Hirst, David Hockney and, of course, JMW Turner.

Visit www.turnercontemporary.org