Mothers Day with the National Trust

Credit: National Trust

It’ll soon be March & Mothering Sunday. If you’re looking for ideas for what to do on

the day I can highly recommend the ever wonderful National Trust. Just have a look below at what my local National Trusts offer! Take a look on their site for any local to you and go and enjoy!

Uppark House and Garden – daffodil day for mums – One of my personal favourite houses!

6 March, 10am- 5pm, normal admission charge only

Mothers visiting this Georgian gem on Mother’s Day are in for a floral treat – a small gift of daffodils to take home.

2016 celebrates the 300^th anniversary of the birth of our greatest landscape gardener, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. On Mother’s Day at Uppark, artist Jon Edgar will be creating a clay portrait sculpture of Capability Brown’s head. Come and watch him at work, and have a go at making your own small clay head of this famous ‘gardener’!

With panoramic views over the South Downs, Uppark is a great place for mums and their families to relax outside if the weather’s balmy – stretch out on the South Lawn with a picnic, or tuck into a treat from the café whilst enjoying the vista from the tables set up outside. Don’t forget to visit the famous doll’s house and the dairy where previous 19^th-century owner Harry Fetherstonhaugh fell in love with his dairy maid.

Nymans, Handcross, near Haywards Heath

Spring flower heaven and the stained glass art

This is a true spring garden, set around a romantic house and ruins with glorious views over the High Weald. There is plenty for mums to enjoy in March, from thousands of daffodils and pretty cherry blossom to over 60 varieties of frothy magnolia – a mouth-watering sight. You can snap up your own piece of Nymans in the plant centre. 

Join in on a guided walk with one of Nymans garden rangers, where you'll find out more about the seasonal highlights, and snippets of the story behind the creation of this world famous garden. Guided walks run every day at 11.15am & 1.45pm.

In the house you’ll find a collection of beautiful stained glass pieces, created by artist Elizabeth Lamont and inspired by Nymans.

Pick a treat from Nymans’ spring menu in the cafe, from fresh salads to delicious cakes, created in-house using seasonal produce.

House and Park, Petworth

Glorious springtime strolls

This magnificent 17^th-century country estate is an idyllic location in spring, and the perfect place for a stroll. Take a gentle walk through the Pleasure Grounds, which in spring are covered in swathes of yellow and cream daffodils. Or walk out into the picturesque parkland – one of ‘Capability’ Brown’s more famous creations - which inspired some of our greatest painters including Turner and Constable.

Mother’s Day is the last chance to enjoy Petworth’s wonderful spring exhibition of 50 masterpieces, many never seen before. Remastered: from Bosch to Bellotto runs until 6 March, and costs £12 for adults and £6 for children. Book tickets on 0844 249 1895 or at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house.

Round off your visit with a traditional afternoon tea, or some scrumptious cake! 

Credit: National Trust