Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and you may be wondering how to treat your mum to the perfect gift to show her just how much she means to you. We have compiled a list of gift ideas, experiences, and restaurants to celebrate your mum this year. 

Gifts from the Borough Basket 

The Borough Basket is the perfect way to shop locally with all the convenience of online shopping. You can choose from homemade products, spa treatments, homemade decorated cakes, and unique gifts.  

If your mum loves to unwind and relax you could spoil her with some new skincare products from Bee Good or A Basket of Bees. Followed by a bath with See Scents’ homemade products with indulgence in mind – they are also vegan friendly, cruelty free and packed in eco-friendly material. Maybe some ‘me time’ is on the cards this Mother’s Day -  Basingstoke Wellness is the perfect place for a massage, manicure or facial, they offer gift cards so your mum can decide exactly how she would like to relax. 

For the art lover, Glass by Tina offers beautiful handmade fused glass items, Zoe Squires Art offers one of a kind originals inspired by the dynamic energy of space and Holly Parkhouse Design sells stickers, make up bags and prints. If your mum would enjoy the experience of making jewellery, Hampshire School of Jewellery offer one-off beginner classes as well as longer courses on jewellery making.  

For a tasty treat The Homemade Brownie Company offers personalised gift boxes and 20 flavours and brownie styles. Based in Whitchurch, Summer Daisy Cakes offers bespoke cakes and cupcakes for any special occasion.  

If an experience is on the cards this year, Escape Hunt, located in Festival Place, is an escape room and likely the closest you’re going to get to starring in a brilliantly plotted escape movie

Places to eat  

Head out for something to eat so no one has to cook! Basingstoke town centre is home to lovely independent restaurants including The Olive House and Chennai Express with many chain restaurants available in Festival Place.  

Have a relaxed Sunday roast next to a cosy fire with a table full of family and friends at Silchester Farm. You could celebrate at Miller and Carter on Saturday 9 or Sunday 10 March with their a la carte menu in addition to limited addition extras! Enjoy a Mother's Day dining experience at Oakley Hall Hotel in Basingstoke with a three course Sunday roast.

Treat your mum to a special afternoon tea at Holiday Inn from Friday 8 March to Sunday 10 March!  You can get a glass of prosecco or a non-alcoholic cocktail together with a beautiful flower arrangement for mum on your table with afternoon tea at Oakley Hall Hotel on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March.

A day out in the countryside

If you are looking for a day out with your mum you'll find lots of places to visit where you can enjoy the outdoors and countryside.

Conveniently located just outside Basingstoke, The Vyne is a Tudor powerhouse set in a scenic landscape with sprawling gardens and landscape. It is perfect for a walk or exploring the historic buildings, the tea rooms also offers light refreshments and hot and cold beverages. 

Take a visit to the charming town of Whitchurch with picturesque countryside, sweeping chalk downland, and listed buildings including Whitchurch Silk Mill.  

North of Basingstoke you’ll find Kingsclere, Burghclere and Ecchinswell. You can take a walk at Beacon Hill which gives magnificent views of Highclere Castle, the real home of Downton Abbey.  Or take a walk from Burghclere on a gentle circular walk which takes you in the footsteps of Stanley Spencer.  

Things to do with the family

Located near Popley and Chineham, at Basing Wood you can enjoy vast woodlands with three main walking trails, open spaces, and picnic benches. Kids can enjoy a nature play area including swings, rocks to climb, tree stumps to navigate and a tunnel to scramble through.  

You could take a trip back in time at Milestones Museum, Basingstoke’s living history museum. You can change coins for old school pennies and fascinate the kids with the traditional penny arcade. This Mother's Day Weekend, each mother or grandmother will receive a free ration card on admission which can be exchanged for a 2oz bag of sweets or a glass of prosecco from The Baverstock Arms pub. To complete the Mother's Day experience, enjoy traditional cream tea in the vintage tea tent.

Head to Four Kingdoms Adventure Park on 9 and 10 March where Mum's go free with a paid ticket.

Without the kids… 

Have a distillery experience in the borough at Bombay Sapphire on their famous gin distillery tour or book an unforgettable experience at their cinema night on Sunday 10 March to watch a feel-good classic, starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Enjoy an arrival and interval gin and tonic cocktail, alongside popcorn and a cake and brownie sharing platter.

Head to Basingstoke town centre which has everything for a perfect date night. You could start with a lovely meal at The Olive House followed by drinks at Duck and Tipple or BrewDog.  

Please note the inclusion of any business within this listing should not be seen as an endorsement of their services. Whilst the information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.   

February 2024