Mother’s Day gifts and experiences to enjoy in London in 2025
Looking for something truly special this Mother’s Day? In 2025, Mother’s Day in the UK will fall on Sunday 30th March. There are a variety of unique gifts and experiences to take advantage of in London, whether your mother loves exploring world-class art galleries and museum exhibitions, wandering through historic homes filled with fascinating stories and remarkable collections, indulging in a luxurious spa treatment, or enjoying an unforgettable dining experience—from laid-back cafés to Michelin-starred tasting menus. With so many options available throughout the city, here is our guide to discovering gifts and experiences in London to treat your mum this Mother’s Day.
Museum and Art Institution Memberships
Orchids at Kew Gardens, celebrating the remarkable biodiversity of Madagascar. © RBG Kew.
Tate Membership
A Tate membership offers unlimited free entry to all Tate exhibitions in London, including access to private views of contemporary art exhibitions—making it ideal for modern and contemporary art lovers. Members also enjoy exclusive event access, use of Members’ Rooms, a 10% discount at Tate shops, and a subscription to Tate Etc. magazine.
Price: £90 per year for an individual membership. (Currently available right now for £78). Member + Guest is £132. (Currently available for £120). tate.org.uk.
Royal Academy of Arts Membership
Not only will this membership ensure early access to the RA’s renowned Summer Exhibition, but it also offers unlimited free entry to their other exhibitions for you and a guest, private views, members-only events, and exclusive use of the Keeper’s House café and bar (depending on type of membership). Plus, you’ll receive RA Magazine.
Price: £138 per year for an individual membership; £200 per year for 2 adult cardholders and 2 family members. royalacademy.org.uk.
The National Gallery Membership
The National Gallery Membership is the most suitable option for those interested in Old Masters, Renaissance, and Impressionist paintings. Members enjoy unlimited entry to all exhibitions, exclusive event invitations, access to the Members’ Room, discounts at the gallery’s shops and restaurants, and a subscription to the Members’ Magazine.
Price: £68 per year for an individual membership; £112 per year for member and guest. nationalgallery.org.uk.
Barbican Membership
The Barbican Centre offers a membership with exclusive access to theatre performances, exhibitions, film screenings, and discounts on events and courses.
Price: £59 per year for an individual membership; £114 for additional benefits. barbican.org.uk.
The Design Museum Membership
A Design Museum membership is perfect for those with an interest in design and architecture, as well as the broader design creative fields such as fashion and film. They offer unlimited free entry to exhibitions, priority booking for events, discounts at the museum’s shop and café, and exclusive access to members-only events and previews.
Price: £55 per year for individual membership (by Direct Debit or £60 by card payment). £65 per year for member and guest (by Direct Debit or £75 by card payment).designmuseum.org.
V&A Membership
V&A Membership includes unlimited access to exhibitions, use of a dedicated Members’ Room, invitations to exclusive events and previews, a 10% discount at V&A shops, and a subscription to the V&A Magazine.
Price: £77 per year for an individual membership; £112 per year for member and guest. vam.ac.uk.
Eltham Palace and Gardens
Historic Homes
Apsley House – The Wellington Collection
Apsley House, also known as Number 1 London, was the residence of the 1st Duke of Wellington. The house is home to the Wellington Collection, featuring masterpieces by Velázquez and Rubens, as well as exquisite silver and porcelain. After exploring the house, take a leisurely stroll through the nearby Hyde Park.
Location: 149 Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner, London, W1J 7NT. Price: £11. Concessions available. wellingtoncollection.co.uk.
Kensington Palace
Kensington Palace, a royal residence, showcases royal life through restored rooms, royal attire, portraits, and artefacts. Currently, the exhibition Dress Codes (13 March – 30 November 2025) explores the role of fashion in royal life, highlighting the extravagant attire worn by royals from the 18th century to the present day. After exploring the palace, take a walk through Kensington Gardens, with its Italian Gardens and expansive green areas.
Location: Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX. Price: £24.70. Concessions available. hrp.org.uk.
Eltham Palace and Gardens
Eltham Palace combines medieval grandeur with 1930s art deco design. Highlights include the Courtauld family’s art deco interiors and the medieval Great Hall. The 19-acre gardens offer a serene escape, complete with a rose garden, a tranquil moat, and a charming sunken garden.
Location: Court Road, Eltham, London SE9 5QE. Price: from £14.50. english-heritage.org.uk.
The Queen’s House
The Queen’s House, renowned for its classical architecture, is home to a remarkable art collection, including royal portraits and seascapes. After exploring the house, take a stroll up Greenwich Park’s hill to the Royal Observatory, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and stand on the Prime Meridian line.
Location: Romney Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF. Price: Free. rmg.co.uk.
Cowshed Spa.
Spa
Cowshed Spa (Primrose Hill)
Cowshed Spa, part of the Soho House group, offers affordable treatments open to the public at their Primrose Hill location. Cowshed offers facials, light therapy, and a range of massages. It’s a great option for a relaxing and cosy experience, with treatments starting at £65.
Location: Cowshed Spa, 3 Regent’s Park Road, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8XN. Price: from £55 members/ £65 non-members (for a 30-minute signature massage). cowshed.com.
Chuan Spa – The Langham London
Chuan Spa, located within The Langham, London, offers a luxurious Mother’s Day package that includes a soothing foot ritual, full-body massage, scalp treatment, and signature H Salon hair care. Available exclusively in March.
Location: The Langham, London, 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, W1B 1JA. Price: £250. langhamhotels.com.
Ned’s Club Spa
Located in the City of London, Ned’s Club Spa is part of the private members’ club, The Ned. With a £200 Spa Day Pass, non-members can access the spa’s facilities—including a colonnaded pool, sauna, and steam room—as well as a range of treatments such as massages and facials. The day pass is redeemable against any treatments and is available Monday to Friday from 6am to 10pm.
Location: The Ned, 27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ. Price: £200 Spa Day Pass (redeemable against treatments)/Ned Friends and guests of Ned’s Club members when they spend £150 per person on treatments. thened.com.
Image credit: “Una Piedra en el Camino” from the series Journey to the Center, 2021. © Cristina De Middel / Magnum Photos.
Art exhibitions
Noah Davis at Barbican Art Gallery
The Barbican presents over 50 works by Noah Davis (1983–2015), featuring his distinctive paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. Davis’s figurative paintings capture the emotional and fantastical elements of everyday life, addressing politics, family, race, and history.
Date: 6 February - 11 May 2025. Location: Barbican Art Gallery, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS. Price: £18 + BF. Book now
Arpita Singh at Serpentine North
Remembering showcases works from Arpita Singh’s prolific six-decade career, combining figuration with Surrealism and Indian Court painting. Her dynamic use of colour, line, and texture reflects her emotional responses to social upheaval and global humanitarian crises.
Date: 20 March – 27 July 2025. Location: Serpentine North, W Carriage Dr, London W2 2AR. Price: Free. Book now
Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300–1350 at National Gallery
A rare collection of 14th-century Italian paintings from Siena, exploring the radical experimentation of Sienese artists and their far-reaching influence on European art. Key works include pieces by Duccio di Buoninsegna and Simone Martini.
Click here to read our review of Siena: The Rise of Painting 1300–1350 at National Gallery.
Date: 8 March ‒ 22 June 2025. Location: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN. Price: From £20. Book now
Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism at Royal Academy of Arts
Featuring over 130 works by Brazilian artists from the 1910s to the 1970s, this exhibition highlights Brazil’s transition from figuration to abstraction, with works by Modernism pioneers such as Anita Malfatti and Geraldo de Barros. Click here to read our view of Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism at Royal Academy of Arts.
Date: 28 January - 21 April 2025. Location: Main Galleries, Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD.Price: £23.50 - £25.50. Book now
The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence at V&A
Explore the cultural richness of Mughal Hindustan during the reigns of emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan, with a focus on Iranian influences and the impact of European traders. The exhibition features contemporary portraits, jewelled gold vessels, and exquisite carpets.
Date: 9 November 2024 - 5 May 2025. Location: Galleries 38 & 39, V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL. Price: From £22. Concessions available. Book now
Tirzah Garwood: Beyond Ravilious at Dulwich Picture Gallery
This retrospective of Tirzah Garwood (1908–1951) presents over 80 of her works alongside 11 pieces by her husband, Eric Ravilious, highlighting their artistic connection and distinct identities.
Date: 19 November 2024 - 26 May 2025. Location: Dulwich Picture Gallery, London SE21 7AD. Price: from £18. Concessions available. Book now
Installation view of the 'Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism' exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, London (23 January - 21 April 2025). Photo © Royal Academy of Arts, London / David Parry. © Tarsita do Amaral S/A.
Goya to Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Oskar Reinhart Collection at The Courtauld Gallery
This exhibition features works by iconic artists such as Goya, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Cézanne, highlighting the development of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism.
Date: 14 February – 26 May 2025. Location: Denise Coates Exhibition Galleries, Floor 3, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN. Price: from £16. Book now
Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize 2025 at The Photographers’ Gallery
This exhibition features the works of Cristina De Middel, Rahim Fortune, Lindokuhle Sobekwa, and Tarrah Krajnak, shortlisted for the 2025 Deutsche Börse Photography Prize. Themes of migration, family history, and cultural identity are explored through documentary photography and performance.
Date: 7 March – 15 June 2025. Location: The Photographers’ Gallery, 16-18 Ramillies St, London W1F 7LW. Price: from £10. Concessions available. Book now
Edvard Munch: Portraits at National Portrait Gallery
Focused on Munch’s portraiture, this exhibition explores his intimate depictions of family, friends, and lovers, offering insight into his engagement with the human condition.
Date: 13 March - 15 June 2025. Location: National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Pl, London WC2H 0HE. Price: from £21. Concessions available. Book now
Dining
La Poule au Pot, Belgravia.
La Poule au Pot
La Poule au Pot is a classic French bistro in Belgravia, offering an intimate, cosy atmosphere with a menu of traditional French dishes. It’s the perfect spot for a relaxing Mother’s Day meal, with its candlelit tables and beautiful décor.
Location: 231 Ebury Street, London SW1W 8UT. lapouleaupot.co.uk
Core by Clare Smyth
Core by Clare Smyth is renowned for its refined tasting menu, offering a high-end dining experience in a relaxed yet elegant setting. It’s the perfect choice for a memorable Mother’s Day, featuring exceptional service and exquisite cuisine.
Location: 92 Kensington Park Road, London W11 2PN.Tasting Menu Price: from Lunch – £195 (lunch)/ Dinner – £215. corebyclaresmyth.com
Jazz Brunch at The Cinnamon Club
For mums who love music, the Jazz Brunch at The Cinnamon Club offers scrumptious Indian dishes and live jazz in the iconic setting of the Old Westminster Library.
Location: 30-32 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BU. Brunch Price: £48 per person (3-course meal + cocktail/mocktail). cinnamonclub.com
The Cinnamon Club, Westminster. Image courtesy of The Cinnamon Club.
The Waterhouse Project
The Waterhouse Project offers a great atmosphere with chefs plating dishes at a long table. Known for its exceptional food and unique tasting menus, it’s a great choice for a more casual yet memorable Mother’s Day experience.
Location: 1-3 Manton Street, London E2 9BS. Price: Discovery menu: £85 (11 servings); signature menu: £110 (15 servings). thewaterhouseproject.com
Akoko
Located in Fitzrovia, Akoko is a Michelin-starred restaurant offering a modern take on West African cuisine. The menu showcases dishes primarily from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, with a focus on traditional fire-based cooking techniques and seasonal ingredients. The tasting menu offers a unique exploration of West African food, celebrating bold flavours and cultural traditions.
Location: 21 Berners Street, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3LP. Price: Lunch short tasting menu: £55; full lunch/dinner tasting menu: £120. akoko.co.uk
