Monday to
Saturday
8AM – 8PM
Sunday
9AM – 7PM
The Sidings,
Waterloo Station,
London SE1 7BH
We don’t need one special day a year to celebrate our Mum’s, we do it all year round. But with Mother’s Day coming up, it’s the perfect excuse to make that extra effort to ensure it’s a special day. The fantastic news is we know plenty of ways to celebrate right on our doorstep, with a variety that can appeal to your Mum, whatever her taste.
If your Mum is a fan of spending hours pruning her roses or just lazying around on the lawn, here at the South Bank we have one of the best-kept secrets for any gardener, the Garden Museum. The only museum in the country dedicated to the history and design of gardens, this is a lovely venue to spend Mother’s Day.
Not only do they have fascinating permanent and temporary exhibitions, but you also won’t be shocked to hear they have a beautiful garden where you can relax. What might be a pleasant surprise is the Garden Cafe, which boasts a huge celebration of modern British food and is award-winning – I bet you didn’t expect that in a museum cafe!
And if it’s a relaxing time in green surroundings you are looking for, we have several other options for you to take Mum to. Our personal favourite, the Bernie Spain Gardens is an oasis hidden in the heart of South Bank. Then you have the green haven that is the Jubilee Gardens, where Mum can relax and the grandkids can play. Finally, why not head over to Southbank Centre and the magical Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Gardens – make Mum feel special in a truly relaxing part of South Bank.
No one said we couldn’t treat Mum and not enjoy it ourselves at the same time! With that in mind; we love tea, we love cake and we are perfectly happy with sandwiches (when they come with cake), so afternoon tea it is.
Top of our list if you are looking to treat your Mum is the Library Restaurant, residing inside the London Marriot Hotel County Hall. Not only is it one of the best afternoon teas in London, but the views across Westminster Bridge are spectacular.
Having said that, if views are important to you, then we might suggest a little trip up the OXO Tower to partake of some tea and cake in their Brasserie. It’s not the cheapest option we’ve ever recommended, but Mum is worth it and they have super options for the kids if you want to treat three generations of the family.
Not every Mum wants to visit art galleries or have a formal lunch, we know plenty that love nothing more than having some fun, playing games and just enjoying time with the kids.
For Mums with younger little’uns, entertaining the whole family is key, so check out Shrek’s Adventure, the immersive experience that has 10 different stories to walk through that will be sure to entertain everyone.
Alternatively, why not go on a thrill-seeking boat trip, courtesy of the Thames Rockets – a turbo-charged ride along the river that any fun Mum will adore. Finally, if you are planning a little fun alongside a more traditional Sunday of drinks and food, then did you know the world’s biggest BrewDog also happens to have a bowling alley and slide in it? That’s right, order a round of drinks, have a bite to eat, then play some duckpin bowling – and you get from the top to the bottom floor via a slide!
If you want a fun eating experience with Mum, we always suggest the Nando’s spice challenge – how hot will she go, is she a PERi-Tamer, the classic Lemon & Herb or all the way up to Extra Hot!
We might not have mentioned it before, but here at The Sidings we are next to some of the busiest and best tourist attractions in the country – ok, we have mentioned it before, for example, these Top Five South Bank Hot Spots.
But it doesn’t mean they are not ideal places to take your Mum if she loves seeing amazing modern art, looking at the best views in London or getting scared by sharks! Give her the full tourist treatment, arriving by train or tube into Waterloo, take a shortcut through The Sidings (maybe via a cheeky Espresso Martina in Grind) and you are ready to take in the best London has to offer – but be warned, it will be busy, so book in advance.
All the above ideas will ensure Mum has a great day out but we mustn’t forget to organise the card and presents in advance. Fortunately, we have you covered for that as well. Firstly, head down to WHSmith to find the perfect card that shows you really care and then why not pop into Sainsbury’s and pick up a lovely bottle of Prosecco.
If you are looking for something a little different, then can we suggest you pop into the skin care experts at Kiehl’s. Not only will you get nature-inspired products for your Mum, but if you are struggling with the choice, talk to the genuine experts on hand who will talk you through the best options.
Finally, we cannot play host to world-famous Belgium chocolatiers and not suggest you treat Mum to the next level in chocolates. NEUHAUS has some of the best chocolates in London. We promise a selection from here will have you in Mum’s good books for weeks to come! Plus, there is no harm in picking up a nice selection for yourself too.
And remember, enjoy the day out but ensure you celebrate your Mum every day of the year.
