Free Mother's Day activities across the south

4 hours ago

Stuart RustSouth of England

There are a wide-range of options to treat your mum to a free day out in the south of England this Mother's Day

Getty Images Three Mother's Day cards are pictured on a shop's shelf. One has an image of flowers, another the sun, and a large 'M' on the final card. — There are a wide-range of options to treat your mum to a free day out in the south of England this Mother's Day

Mother's Day is fast approaching.

And what better gift is there than some quality time together?

If you are looking for a way to treat your mum without breaking the bank, there are plenty of free options available across the south.

Several attractions are offering special Mother's Day deals, from free cream teas and adventure playground visits to heritage train rides and animal encounters.

Here are some of the free activities and places you could visit across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Dorset this Mothering Sunday.

Oxfordshire

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford has free entry all year round

Getty Images A woman stands in an exhibit full of Egyptian artifacts at Oxford's Ashmolean Museum. She is looking down upon a glass display case that contains a decorated sarcophagus. — The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford has free entry all year round

Oxford Bus Museum, Long Hanborough

You can treat your mum to a trip on a vintage bus this Mother's Day. The Oxford Bus Museum is offering free entry and a cream tea for mothers accompanied by children under 16, with heritage bus rides running during the day.

Cogges Manor Farm, Witney

Mums can visit the farm for free on Mother's Day when accompanied by a paying adult. Families can wander through the historic manor house and walled garden, meet the farm animals and stop for brunch, lunch or a cream tea in the café.

Tumblestone Hollow at Stonor Park, near Henley

Why not let your mum unleash her inner child this year? Mothers and mother figures can enjoy free entry to the Tumblestone Hollow adventure playground across the weekend.

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

If you fancy something a little more relaxed, the Ashmolean offers free entry year-round. What better way to spend Mothering Sunday than exploring everything from Egyptian artefacts to modern art in Britain's oldest public museum.

Berkshire

Windsor's iconic Long Walk is free and open daily to pedestrians

Getty Images Windsor Castle seen from the Long Walk in Windsor Great Park. A couple of people can be seen walking together on the path in coats. Another person on a bike is riding a short distance behind them. The path is flanked by well-tended grass and rows of trees. — Windsor's iconic Long Walk is free and open daily to pedestrians

4 Kingdoms Adventure Park and Farm, near Newbury

Mothers can visit free across the Mother's Day weekend when accompanied by someone with a paying ticket, with the park's play areas, rides and farm animals open for families. Mums can also enjoy a free drink on site.

Dinton Pastures Country Park, near Wokingham

A Mother's Day event at the country park will include free entry activities such as craft stalls, character meet-and-greets and hand massages for mums, alongside children's crafting sessions and food stalls.

Windsor Great Park

If you fancy something outdoors, you could take your mum for a stroll through Windsor Great Park, which offers miles of free walking routes, including views towards Windsor Castle and the famous Long Walk.

Hampshire

Wild ponies can be spotted in the New Forest

Getty Images Grey mare - ears forward and swishing tail - and foal New Forest ponies following one behind the other in the New Forest. — Wild ponies can be spotted in the New Forest

Stansted House, Rowlands Castle

You could take your mum to explore the historic Stansted House estate, where mothers can enter free on Mothering Sunday, with a family trail also running for visitors.

Butser Ancient Farm, near Petersfield

Mothers and mother figures can visit free over the Mother's Day weekend, with hands-on craft activities and the chance to explore reconstructed ancient buildings at the farm.

The Brickworks Museum, near Southampton

The heritage museum is offering free entry for mums on Mothering Sunday, giving families the chance to explore the historic brickworks site together.

New Forest National Park

For a simple day out, why not head into the New Forest for a walk? Visitors can explore miles of free trails through woodland and heathland, where wild ponies and deer are often spotted.

Isle of Wight

Quarr Abbey, near Ryde, offers gardens and country walks

Getty Images A picture looking into Quarr Abbey. Chairs are lined up on either of the long hall. The ceiling arches overhead. Sun is bursting into the abbey through the windows to the right. — Quarr Abbey, near Ryde, offers gardens and country walks

Monkey Haven, near Newport

The primate sanctuary is offering free entry for mothers visiting with a paying child over the Mother's Day weekend, with keeper talks running throughout the day.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet

Why not take mum on a steam train ride? The heritage railway says mothers can travel free on Mothering Sunday with the purchase of a full-price ticket.

Red Funnel Red Jet ferry

Families could also hop across the Solent, with mums and mother figures travelling free as foot passengers between West Cowes and Southampton when travelling with a paying child.

Quarr Abbey, near Ryde

If you're after something quieter, the abbey's gardens and woodland trails are free to explore, with a café and farm shop on site.