In this article, you'll learn the following:
We should all know by now, that the key to making your mum smile is not necessarily showering her with gifts (although it might not hurt). It’s pretty safe to assume that what she’d appreciate the most is some proper quality time with the human(s) she’s spent many years raising. So we’ve partnered with Secret London to brainstorm some super cute activities to treat your mum to this year.
Take a candle making workshop
If you want to give your mum a smile that’ll light up the room, a candle making workshop at London Refinery is just the ticket. In this 2 hour class, you’ll develop your own fragrance whilst learning about how smells affect your moods and emotions. There are loads of essential oils to choose from, and you can build your own bespoke blend to go into your candle. It’s the perfect way to make sure your mum keeps on remembering the ever so thoughtful activity you planned for her.
How to get there: Catch the Northern line from London Waterloo to Warren Street, and then hop on the Circle line to Ladbroke Grove. It's a few minutes walk from there. The address is The Elgin, 96 Ladbroke Grove, W11 1PY.
Tuck into an opulent afternoon tea
She’s your mum, so she deserves the special treatment – and a fancy afternoon tea definitely falls in that category. With this SWR reward, you can save 22% on a range of luxury afternoon tea experiences in utterly magnificent London locations. From the 5 star Dukes Hotel in St James’s to Covent Garden’s Colonel Saab, there are so many options to choose from. And remember, pinkies up!
Feast on delicious Italian food at Cafe Murano
For those seeking a cozy and comfortable atmosphere, with simple yet exquisite Italian dishes, Angela Hartnett’s Cafe Murano is a perfect choice. The menu boasts a variety of mouth-watering dishes, including spicy fennel sausage ragu, pumpkin tortelloni, chicken milanese, and veal ossobuco, all cooked to absolute perfection.
How to get there: Catch the bus C10 from Waterloo Station Waterloo Road (Stop E) to Bermondsey Street (Stop A). The address is 184 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ.
Wes and Sandy’s pick of the week
The round-up wouldn’t be complete without a recommendation from South Western Railway’s winged friends, Wes and Sandy. Whilst Wes likes to keep a bird’s eye view of London’s best pubs, clubs, and music venues, Sandy spends her time tuning into the city’s hottest new restaurants and upcoming cultural events. But one thing they can always agree on is the beauty of a delicious home-cooked meal. So why not make your mum’s day and prepare her something delicious? You could even hop on an SWR train and pick out fresh ingredients together at one of London’s excellent farmers’ markets - these are some of our favourites.
Attend a bouquet masterclass
Receiving a bunch of flowers is always lovely, sure. But if your mum is a real anthophile, what could be better than letting her create her own beautiful arrangement with the freshest seasonal flowers at Petersham Nurseries? Their unique floristry style is known for being wild and dramatic, so it’s the perfect place to learn how to put together something truly show-stopping. They’ll even teach you how to extend your flowers’ vase life so you can enjoy their beauty for as long as possible. Refreshments and all materials will be provided, all you need to bring is your mum!
How to get there: Catch the Northern line from London Waterloo to Leicester Square. It's 5 minutes walk from there. The address is 1 Floral St, WC2E 9FB.
Visit an inspiring exhibition
If you're looking for an exhibition that celebrates female empowerment through incredible photojournalism, "Acts of Resistance: Photography, Feminisms and the Art of Protest" is worth considering. This exhibition documents feminism and activism from an international and contemporary perspective, touching on important events such as Roe vs. Wade (2022) and the rise of violence against women and girls in Bangladesh. Best of all, tickets to the exhibition are free.
How to get there: Catch the bus 68 from Waterloo Station / Waterloo Road (Stop D) to Denmark Hill / Camberwell Green (Stop Q). It's 10 minutes walk from there. The address is 65 Peckham Road, SE5 8UH.
Save money by travelling with SWR
Now it’s time to plan your travel. Find cheap train tickets by travelling off-peak and enjoy further discounts with a Railcard. If you’re travelling in a group, you could benefit from GroupSave.
Don't forget to check out SWR Rewards to unlock rewards when you travel with us. Enjoy discounts on any of our rewards including days out, dining deals, theatre tickets, hotel stays and much more.
