1. For those who fancy buying a day of pampering for their mum, there is Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort which offers a package from £70 per person at the Brunch Spa Day including a choice of 1 x 30 minute treatment from: Facial Yoga, Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage, Conditioning Hand or Foot Treatment, brunch, robe and slippers provided and use of the facilities between 9am - 1pm. Or there is the Afternoon Tea at The Spa which is the same treatments on offer afternoon tea, robe and slippers provided and four hours use of the facilities, also at £70 per person. For keen golfing mums there is chance to play a round in the fresh air and when you have worked up an appetite there is always fine dining at the Bowood Hotel Or call 01249 812102 (www.bowood.org/bowood-hotel)

2.

1 On Saturday March 23 there is a Family Drop-In Workshop to prepare for Mother’s Day, at 11am, in the Museum & Art Gallery, Bath Road, Swindon. Make your mum feel extra special this Mother’s Day by making a lovely present and card just for her. Family drop in craft workshop costs £3 per child This workshop is offered on a first come first serve basis and if busy, you may have to wait a short while to take part. Some activities are unsuitable for small children. Parental guidance is needed at all times. For more details call 01793 466556.

2 For mums who are interested in art you can take a trip to see a special exhibition, Visions of Lydiard, from 11am, at Lydiard House & Park, Lydiard Park, Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon. The exhibition explores the evolution of Lydiard House and Parkland through a selection of paintings and photographs, illustrating the last 70 years of the estate’s rich history. The exhibition features work by both internationally acclaimed and local artists, as well as accomplished photographers, all of whom portray Lydiard from their own unique perspective. Standard Admission applies. For more details call 01793 770401.

3 Afternoon tea – Polly’s Team Room in Marlborough he Polly Tea Rooms first opened its doors in 1912 by two ladies, Miss Jean Leith Hay and Miss Janet McCloud (who was one of the original suffragettes). Tea rooms were a great safe place for these ladies to meet at the time. The building hasn't changed much since then, except a fire in the 60's destroyed part of the building. Some of the recipes for cakes, chocolate moulds and biscuit cutters from the 30's are still in use today. Our cakes are still the same as those Kate Middleton enjoyed during her school days at Marlborough College when she would visit The Polly Tea Rooms on Wednesday afternoons with her friends. Skilled pastry makers and confectioners produce a wonderful array of treats: classic, scrumptous cakes slices, rich and hearty fruit cakes, gorgeous chocolate eclairs. We also have a fantastic selection of gluten free cakes. with a delicious gift from the Polly Tea Rooms. Every mum deserves a treat, and there are many to choose from either from the Polly menus or our shop products. For those special occasions, treat that special someone to a lunch or afternoon tea a the Polly Tea Rooms. Our staff will be delighted to look after you, and we have an excellent menu to suit all tastes. Come and enjoy the ambience of the traditional English tea room, founded over a hundred years ago.

Or, if you would rather take a treat home, all of our products are available for sale to take away - we can also produce a unique cake for your special occasion! Let us know what you would like by calling: 01672 512146 http://www.thepollytearooms.co.uk/

4 We all love our mum’s and what better way to express how special your mum is, than by treating her to a delicious meal at Hall and Woodhouse, Wichelstowe’s first canalside local. The most striking features in the dining area are the individual booths modelled on the interiors of canal boats, which come with their own beer pumps. In a continuation of the historic canal theme, the front of a boat protrudes from the building. Overall the interior, with its metal, wood, old machinery and photos of the company’s founders, manages to be simultaneously historic, industrial and homely. Old books jostle with artefacts for space on the selves which line much of the wall space. It’s a big place, but thanks to the décor it’s never barn-like. To make it extra special, this year as a little thank you gift for all the amazing things our mums do, for every mum that books with us will receive a miniature bottle of Pinkster Gin and a bottle of Fever-Tree Tonic. For more details visit https://www.hall-woodhousewichelstowe.co.uk/

5 If your mum is musical take her to the Collabro concert in Swindon. Following their 2017 sell-out tour, the musical theatre group Collabro are back on the road with their mammoth 51 date ‘Road to the Royal Albert Hall’ Tour. Star was the song that Collabro performed at the first audition in front of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams from the TV's Britain's Got Talent. The boys went on to win the 2014 series by a wide margin and have since been voted the UK's favourite of the winners in a national poll. They signed to Simon Cowell's Syco Entertainment. The band have scooped the chance to support Barry Manilow on his arena tour this autumn, and also attracted the attention of Cliff Richard for his summer tour. They will be joined on stage at the Wyvern by Swindon singing school students from Everybody Sing at 7.30pm, on Tuesday, March 26 at the Wyvern Theatre, Theatre Square, Swindon. £34.50 - £44.50. 01793 524481.

6 Book a one day course for a mum who enjoys cooking to perfect their skills and master new techniques through a variety of innovative courses under the guidance of Chef Ben Taylor at Lucknam Park Hotel. Choose from a selection of one day courses at £185 per person or half day courses at £95. Lucknam Park is a listed Palladian mansion set in 500 acres of extensive parkland, dating from 1720 in glorious historic surroundings, classically designed gardens, its own equestrian centre as well as the award winning gourmet experience. Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa, Colerne, Chippenham, SN14 8AZ. Call 01225 742777

7 For a cute day out with mum why not visit Roves Farm, near Swindon on Mother’s Day see all the expectant ewes and the new born lambs keeping cosy in the lambing shed.

Wrap up warm and take a seat. With the special viewing platform that looks out across the lambing shed, there will be plenty of opportunities to see lambing in action possibly even alamb being born. Explore the farm, see the larger farm animals in the fields and enjoy the sights and sounds of the countryside With special interactive themed tractor rides for the whole family

Sevenhampton, Swindon,

Wiltshire, SN6 7QG

+44 1793 763939

info@rovesfarm.co.uk

8 Take mum for a cruise along the Kennet & Avon Canal. Enjoy a special Mother’s Day afternoon tea aboard the Kenavon Venture while sailing along the restored canal. The tour departs Devizes on Sunday, March 31 and pre-booking is essential. The Kenavon Venture is a purpose built public trip boat, 60 feet long and l0 feet wide and has spacious seating for up to 45 passengers. lt is operated by volunteers of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. A licensed bar, refreshments and a toilet are available on board. There are two trips on Mother’s Day, leaving Devizes Wharf at 11.30am and 2pm for a two hour cruise turning at Devizes Marina. Price includes a cream tea (except for children under three years). Adults £10, Children (three-15) £7.50. To book or for more details visit http://kv.katrust.org.uk/specials/?section=2#mothersday

9 How about taking mum out for Sunday lunch. The Toby Carvery restaurant lays on a family-sized feast of tender, slow-cooked meats, eight lots of veg including crispy, ruffled roasties and all the trimmings every day of the week. Children will also find plenty to choose from on the family friendly roast dinner menus. The meat is UK sourced, farm assured from grass-fed or free range farms that meet Red Tractor standards. The Toby Carvery is at the Abbey Meads Village Centre, 4 Elstree Way, Swindon. For more details or to book telephone 01793 702081 or visit https://www.tobycarvery.co.uk/