The Facts And Places You Need To Know This Mother's Day

It’s March. You know what means – Mother’s Day on March 22nd.

Now rather than nipping out to the nearest supermarket to grab a last-minute bouquet for your Mum, we thought we’d get ahead of the curve and provide you with some ideas. Whether you celebrate it, you don’t, you love treating your Mum to a slap-up meal or an understated brunch, we’ve got a whole load of options to suit you.

But first, it’s time for a quick history lesson.

Mothering Sunday, as it is officially known here in the UK, was founded during the 16th century. It was originally a day that had zero to do with mothers themselves but rather, one’s “mother church”. It was the one day of the year where people returned to their “mother church” for a special service. A “mother church” was the one in which someone was baptised, their local parish church or the nearest cathedral. This day used to be quite a big deal as many people who worked as domestic servants wouldn’t often have the same hours to go to church as the rest of their family.

Eventually the meaning of the holiday itself was lost and by the 1920’s, much of Europe had forgotten about it entirely. In a bid to revive it, Constance Penswick-Smith was inspired by the US and decided to lead the Mothering Sunday Movement which was to see a revival of the celebration. Inspired by Anna Jarvis, who had founded Mother’s Day on the other side of the pond, Jarvis had managed to transform the holiday into a day honouring mothers all around. In much of the UK, it remains a day linked with connotations to the church but mainly, people view it as a day to celebrate mothers and everything they do for us.

So where to go in London for the big day?

Brunch:

A greasy fry-up doesn’t really scream “classy treat” for such an occasion but the good thing about Brother Marcus are all the options on offer. Get everything from veggie fritters with soft poached eggs to your standard traditional breakfast suspects. If you’re looking for something a little more dirty and boozy, make your way to Dirty Bones. With a live DJ spinning out classic hip hop tracks, mum can have a chance to stuff her face whilst reminiscing on what music used to sound like.

Feeling Fancy:
Hide is a great all round destination with stunning interiors and a view overlooking nearby Green Park. Each level is home to a different ambience but we’d recommend going Above for tranquil settings and their Tasting Menu of epic proportions. Choose between 5 or 8 courses and revel in the smile of your mum’s face as she feasts on everything from Guinea Fowl to a Fine Cheese Trolley. Core By Clare Smyth embodies female chef excellence and great tasting dishes. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind mother’s day meal, then this is the spot.

Grab a cuppa:
Drink Shop Do is the perfect little spot to go to for a classic Afternoon Tea or one of the Vegetarian variety if mum happens to be veggie. With cosy eclectic décor, it’s also worth checking out their regular roster of events and masterclasses because getting crafty is also a great way to spend a Mother’s Day afternoon. Learn how to make everything from rings to aromatherapy candles. If you’re looking for something a little more classic but with stunning interiors, a trip to Berners Tavern is a great option.