British Turkish mothers get to be officially pampered twice a year. Turkish Mother’s Day takes place in May, while British Mother’s Day is taking place this Sunday, 26 March.

It’s always nice to treat your mama to a lovely present, but what mums appreciate most is getting to spend some quality time with their offspring. So here are some great activities you can do together on this weekend. 

• Family Yoga (Barnes, Sat 25 March)

For those in or near Barnes, South West London, bring your mum for a refreshing Saturday morning session of yoga class followed by a delicious healthy brunch. Led by Claire Welton, who specializes in family yoga, so its suitable for all levels and ages (ten years and upwards), spend a restorative hour stretching and meditating in The Bulls Head River Room; which offers stunning Spring views of The Thames, before dining on pancakes, eggs and juice. Pre-book from here, price £14 per child, £19 per adult. 

• Posh afternoon tea at the seaside (Leman Tea Room, Brighton, Sat. 25 March)

 

There’s something very rejuvenating about being by the sea, so why not drive to Brighton and take in some fresh sea air before treating your mum to posh afternoon tea and cakes. Leman Tea Room is a hidden treasure upholding the finest British tea traditions and decoration. Sip tea in china cups, and tuck into dainty sandwiches, and delicious handmade British and Turkish cakes. Located on Madeira Place, the tea room is very close to Brighton Pier and Big Wheel. Walk-in or call in advance to reserve your table 07597 742444, or visit their Facebook page.  

• Take in a museum (Notting Hill, Sun. 26 March)

The Museum of Brands in Notting Hill takes a nostalgic look at The History of Motherhood in Media. This one day event explores the history of Mother’s Day, and how mums have been portrayed in the media promoting everything from biscuits to soap. This special event, which includes a talk (at 2pm, repeated at 3pm) can be seen alongside another special display at the Museum called Women in Advertising. Entry is £14 for adults (£11 cons) and £8 for children.

 

• Mamma Mia! Afternoon pop up cinema (Brixton, Sun. 26 March)

What could be better than an afternoon Abba singalong? Night Star Cinema is behind this special Mother’s Day screening of hit comedy musical Mamma Mia at Pop Brixton. The fun and quirky venue also includes outlets selling a wide range of food and drinks, so treat your mum to lunch before settling down to watch the movie. Price: £10 per child, £15 per adult. Book online here.

• Get creative together: workshops (Sat. 25 & Sun. 26 March, various locations)

Don’t buy your mum jewellery: make her some! The London Jewellery School in Hatton Garden is running two workshops (10am to 1pm, or 2pm-5pm) where you and your mum can discover your creative streaks whilst spending some quality time together. Or come on your own and surprise mum later in the day with a unique set of jewellery handmade with love by you. Price £35 per person. Book here or call: 0203 176 0546.

 

Sadly their one-day Mother’s Day course is already fully booked, but the Covent Garden Academy of Flowers, managed by mother and a daughter Gillian and Fleur Wheeler, run plenty of courses all year round. So book yourselves onto a future course and learn how to make beautiful floral creations in a welcoming, cosy, inspirational environment. See online for more details.

For those with a sweet tooth – and who can resist chocolate?! – leading chocolatiers My Chocolate hold workshops (see main photo) in Brighton, London and Manchester every weekend. So book yourselves in for a fun treat, during which you get a fantastic introduction to the art of chocolate making, tasting, discovering, and learning through demonstrations as well as making your own  mouth-watering chocolate, leaving with a goody bag of your very own handmade chocolates to enjoy.  Prices start from £49. Visit their website for more details.

 

Create your mum a fabulous scent with the Experimental Perfume Club in Dalston. Sadly their special Mother’s Day workshop is now sold out, but they host Open Labs twice a month, where for £20 per hour you can experiment creating your very own fragrance at the EPC Scent Lab. Or sign up for their Perfuming Making Apprentice Masterclass, which run every month. See details online.

• Party time! Dine Turkish

Give mums a day off from the kitchen! If your mamas are anything like ours, they will still want to eat Turkish even when they go out. So here are some great restaurants that are offering special menus to treat your mama to a divine-tasting Turkish lunch or dinner. Several also have evening entertainment, so glam up and step out!

Enjoy authentic freshly-prepared Turkish cuisine at the following:

• Shish Meze in Hornchurch have got soulful Essex singer Martin Bell doing a live matinee performance on both Saturday and Sunday. It’s £34.95 per head for a 3-course meal and music.
• Cyprus Garden in Chingford, East London, is hosting a night of Turkish music nostalgia on Sunday. Osman Kelebek and Erdoğan Elmas lead a fabulous line-up that will guarantee to have your mum burst into song. Dinner and entertainment for just £25. Call or text 0773 8410 870 to make your reservation.
• Kent’s Hisar Meze Bar also has live music in the form of Tom and Bobby of 3s Company. The Orpington restaurant’s Mother’s Day menu is just £29.50 (half-price for kids).
• Others with special Mother’s Day deals are Zeytin Restaurant in Greenwich, at £24.95 per head.
• Rixos Restaurant in neighbouring Eltham specialises in modern Ottoman cuisine. Go a la carte or fixed menu.
• Ambience Restaurant  in Wimbledon is also doing a special menu for Sunday. Dinner at this award-wining Turkish Cypriot eaterie is just £23.95 with a special kids menu for £6.95.

  

• And while they aren’t doing any special mother’s day menus (guess that will come in May), North London’s favourite Turkish restaurants Kervan (020 8882 8242) on Chase Side in Southgate, Aksular in Palmers Green (020 8886 3503), Devran in Harringay (020 8340 2288), and Capital in Edmondon (020 8803 2238) are guaranteed to hit the right culinary notes with your anne.

And if you’ve left it too late for this weekend, grab some flowers and a box a baklava and tell mama her main gift will come on Sunday 14 May – Turkish Anneler Günü.