23 ideas for Mother's Day in Bristol - including afternoon tea with a stunning view and pamper sessions

Mother's Day is less than a month away and there are plenty of ideas on how to celebrate the motherly figure in your life in Bristol.

Here are 23 events in Bristol and nearby to celebrate Mother's Day ranging from afternoon teas, to art exhibitions and crafting workshops:

LUSH Art Exhibition at The Square Club

Running until the 30th of April, the exhibition celebrates the wonder of the University of Bristol Botanic Garden from two different artistic perspectives: Stephanie Gay, an artist who has specialised in painting on silk for more than 20 years and exhibits her work widely through galleries, group and solo exhibitions, and Chi-Yien Snow, a Clevedon based painter who works with a variety of media including oils, acrylic and pen and ink, regularly exhibits her work locally and has twice been featured on the SkyArts 'Landscape Artist of the Year' programme. The exhibition is free to visit.

Wonderhaus at The Wardrobe Theatre

The Wonderhaus stage is a place for new ideas to take shape and imaginations to run free with each show summoning a unique cast of emerging artists, internationally acclaimed performers, and even past audience members taking to the stage for the very first time bringing the brightest and bravest gems of live performance, comedy, clowning, circus, music and miscellany, freshly mined from the depths of the collective subconscious for £5 per person. Tickets can be booked here.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Running until the 21st of April, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery’s 59th Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition features soundscapes, videos, expert insights and stunning photography that captures animal behaviour, spectacular species, and the breath taking diversity of the natural world.

Jazz Under The Sea at Bristol Aquarium

Kris Nock Big Band will be taking over the Bristol Aquarium for a special evening of jazz under the sea alongside special guests trumpeter Jonny Bruce and trombonist John Roberts and will be playing a wide selection of big band pieces from the 60s to the present day. Tickets will include access to the Coral Seas exhibition before the concert and cost £20.50 (with booking fees) and can be booked here. The doors will open at 18:30, and the show will start at 19:30.

Mother's Day at Racks Bar & Kitchen

Enjoy a two-course (£26) or three-course (£32) meal at Racks Bar & Kitchen with a free Prosecco for Mum or indulge in their new Sunday Roast sharing board with bottomless gravy. Bookings can be made here.

Starter for Ten at Bristol Old Vic

Running until the 30th of March, Starter for Ten is a musical adaptation of the novel by bestselling author David Nicholls and the popular 2006 film of the same name and is a coming-of-age comedy about love, belonging and the all-important difference between knowledge and wisdom set to a soundtrack inspired by the riotous student scene of the 80s. Tickets start from £10 (plus concessions) and can be booked here.

Festival of Stories at SPARKS Bristol

Held on the 9th of March, the Festival of Stories is a celebration of all things stories. There will be children's book readings by local indie authors, craft activities, a children's bookbinding workshop and clowns as well as a workshop run by Discover Your Bounce who will guide you through the stages of writing, editing, publishing and launching your very own book (Tickets are £9.99 and a free signed book is included for all attendees). As the event coincides with World Book Day that same week, all attendees are encouraged to dress as their favourite book character and join in with the fun.

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea at Doubletree by Hilton, Cadbury House

Indulge in an afternoon tea featuring an array of traditional delights from delicate finger sandwiches to scrumptious pastries and scones at The Great Room for £32 per person.

Mother's Day Sound Bath

Join Tara Sound and Music for a blissful evening of relaxation and rejuvenation at St Anne's Community Hall for a very special Mother's Day Sound Bath, unwind and let go of all your stress as you are immersed in a soothing soundscape that will transport you to a state of deep tranquillity. Tickets cost £11.55 (with booking fees) and can be booked here.

Mother's Day Sparkling Afternoon Tea at Flourish Kitchen

Celebrate Mother's Day with a selection of delicious freshly baked scones, sandwiches and cakes from La Crème Patisserie plus a glass of fizz for £35 per adult and £15 per child. Bookings can be made by emailing [email protected]

Mother's Day at The Square

Enjoy a two-course (£28) or three-course (£35) meal at the Square's Club with a free Prosecco for Mum. All mains include raclette cauliflower cheese, seasonal vegetables, and homemade mustards and relishes. Bookings can be made here.

Mother's Day - Spring Living Wreath Workshop at Larkhall

Create a beautiful ‘living’ spring wreath design with seasonal bulbs such as Narcissi, Muscari, and Hyacinths along with moss, foliage, and natural decorations and finish off with some delicious cake and a glass of fizz at The Bath Flower School. The 2-hour workshop is held between 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm on the 9th of March and costs £85 per person including materials, cake and a glass of fizz. Bookings can be made here.

Barbie Mother's Day screening at Bristol Aquarium IMAX Cinema

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind LGBTQ+ friendly screening of Barbie at the former Imax cinema based in Bristol Aquarium with Barbie and Ken-themed cocktails and mocktails sold at the pink party bar as well as snacks and pizza from the Aquarium Cafe. Barbie (AND Ken) themed dress encouraged. Tickets cost £10 per person and can be booked here.

Sip and Paint Mother's Day Edition

Enjoy a glass of bubbly while unleashing your inner artist and creating a masterpiece to take home at the Sip and Paint events held at Central Chambers (10th March 12pm to 2pm or 2pm to 4pm) or at The Folly in Emersons Green (4th March from 7pm) for £35 per person. Tickets can be booked here.

Mother's Day Chocolate Making Workshop at Lawrence Weston Community Farm

Indulge in the heavenly aroma of cocoa as you learn to create mouth-watering chocolates from scratch in this 3-hour workshop. Tickets cost £27.80 (with booking fees per adult), £33 for a family ticket (one adult and one child age 6+), £10 for an additional child age 6+ and free for an additional child under the age of 6 and can be booked here.

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea at No.4 Clifton Village

Indulge in the Mother's Day Afternoon Tea menu featuring delectable finger sandwiches, scones, delicate pastries, and handmade chocolate truffles alongside a curation of locally sourced loose-leaf teas for £28 per person, as well as a complimentary glass of Prosecco for Mum. Bookings can be made here.

Time for tea - Mother's Day Activity at Be Weird Be Wild Be Wonderful Play Hub

A chance for little ones to create their own coaster to give on Mother's Day. The coaster will be taken and fired in a kiln then returned in a gift box ready for you to collect from the playhub. Tickets cost £20.50 for one child and accompanying adults (with booking fees) and include a hot drink for the adults attending, and £8.20 (with booking fees) for additional coasters and can be booked here.

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea at Leigh Court

Choose from the Traditional (£32 per person) or Sparkling Afternoon tea (£37 per person), served in the stunning backdrop of the Great Hall’s magnificent double staircase and impressive 19th Century décor as the resident harpist, Lizzy, creates a luxurious atmosphere that will add a stylish elegance and ambience for your enjoyment. Bookings can be made here.

Mother's Day stroll around Prior Park

Celebrate Mother's Day with a stroll around Prior Park in Bath and capture a picture to remember the day. The event is included with admission fees.

LUSH Cribbs Causeway Mother's Day Pamper Session

Make and take home your own blooming beautiful bath bomb, learn how to give hand and arm massages fit for royalty and spend some precious time with someone special on Mother's Day at LUSH Cribbs Causeway for £10 per person. Tickets can be bought here.

Visit Tyntesfield on Mother’s Day as part of National Lottery Open Week 2024

Enjoy a visit to Tyntesfield this Mother’s Day for free by presenting your lottery ticket or scratch card at the visitor reception on Mother’s Day, as they say, thank you to all of the National Lottery Players who have helped them with vital conservation work at so many of their places. Take a look here for full terms and conditions.

Mothering Sunday Soul Brunch at Bambalan

Indulge in a delicious brunch and a welcome drink on arrival, as well as live music from Bristol's Soultrain DJs for £27.21 (with booking fees) at Bambalan. Tickets can be booked here. To add children under 12 to your booking, email [email protected] with details of your booking and details of how many under 12s you'd like to add to your group.

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Clifton Observatory

Take a seat in the elegantly styled William West room for unlimited tea alongside a range of sandwiches, canapes, bite-sized desserts and scones with oodles of jam and clotted cream and enjoy stunning views of Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Avon Gorge at Clifton Observatory. Tickets cost £35 per adult and include a free glass of prosecco and a small gift for mums and £20 for children under 16 and can be booked here.