Written by Carly Freestone | 22nd March 2019
This year Mother's Day falls on Sunday 31 March , when mothers across the country will be treated to breakfast in bed, bunches of flowers and cards as a thank you for all they do. The clocks also go forward on this weekend heralding the start of British Summer Time, so why not celebrate with a family day out and a great British country walk?
These are our picks of the best places across the Michael Graham region to enjoy spring walk and afternoon tea for Mother's Day:
Waddesdon Manor is renowned for having one of the finest Victorian gardens in Britain. Highlights within the landscaped grounds include the iconic Parterre with its glorious bedding displays, the colourful and exotic birds in the Aviary and the Rose Garden. Booking in advance is required for The Manor Restaurant’s formal afternoon tea, but if small children and dogs are in tow you can always make an impromptu visit to The Stables Courtyard for an equally scrumptious selection of tea and cakes.
Badby woods are famous for carpets of bluebells in the spring and if you’re feeling energetic, park in Badby village for a lovely circular walk that takes in the neighbouring villages of Newnham, Everdon, and the hamlet of Fawsley. Fawsley Hall is set in beautiful Capability Brown parkland, and offers delicious afternoon tea which if the weather is kind can be taken in their stunning courtyard.
Just a short hop from The National Trust property Houghton Mill on the River Great Ouse, and with a choice of spectacular riverside and meadow walks on the doorstep, this bijou 1940s/50s inspired tea room offers fabulous coffee, cakes, lunch, brunch and tea. Cream teas and lavish afternoon teas require pre-booking but if a slice of delicious cake and a cup of tea is what you’re after you won’t be disappointed.
The very custom of taking afternoon tea can be credited to Duchess Anna Maria, wife of the 7th Duke of Bedford, who was famous for serving afternoon tea to her friends at Woburn Abbey in the 1840s. Book now at Woburn Abbey to enjoy traditional Duchess Anna Maria Afternoon Tea in her honour in the Bedford Room, but make sure your visit factors in enough time to enjoy the glorious gardens. Michael Graham is sponsoring the Woburn Abbey Garden Show again this year 22-23 June, and the gardens themselves open for the summer season on 5th April.
You don’t even have to love heritage and history, of which Coombe Abbey has an abundance, to enjoy a day out here. Originally founded as an Abbey in the 12th century, the building has links to King Henry XVIII and Queen Elizabeth I, who lived here as a child. Set in 500 acres of parkland with formal gardens and a lake, Coombe Abbey is a perfect place to while away any sunny Sunday afternoon. The afternoon tea menu on offer here includes finger sandwiches, scones and other sweet treats, with tea or coffee. Or Hendricks gin if you like afternoon tea with a kick.
Happily you don’t have to be a golfer to come here, and the club has extended its afternoon teas by popular demand. The dining/afternoon tea area at The Centurion Club looks out over the terrace and lake and if you want to push the boat out in style, you could always order the free-flowing Prosecco afternoon tea.
Set in 38 acres of beautiful rolling parkland, the Kilworth House Hotel has a selection of recommended walks, including the Victorian ladies’ walkway, that ensure you can make the most of your visit to this beautiful part of the countryside before indulging in full afternoon tea, grandly presented on a three-tiered stand in The Orangery.
The Manor Country House Hotel is nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, relaxing over traditional afternoon tea at this 11th century country house makes you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time. If you’re feeling particularly reinvigorated and generous afterwards, you could always hit the shops and treat your mum to an outfit for the new season at nearby designer shopping outlet Bicester Village.
Please tell us about your favourite places we may have missed, we’d love to hear from you via Facebook, twitter and Instagram. If you’d like to see Michael Graham town and country homes to buy or to rent, head to the property pages of our website, starting with the three we’ve highlighted below.