Where to spend Mother’s Day in Devon

If you’re going to be in Devon this Mother’s Day and plan to celebrate, here are a couple of suggestions to help your mum feel extra special.

Go out for a meal

Mother’s Day always falls on a Sunday which means Sunday Roast!
If your mum isn’t a fan or perhaps deserves her favourite dish, why not book her a table at one of Devon’s restaurants? With fine dining and informal menus alike, plus a host of Michelin Star restaurants and some of the best locally sourced ingredients in the UK, you can’t go far wrong with dinner in Devon!

Image: Bistrot Pierre

If you’re in Plymouth, why not book a table at Bistrot Pierre? With great value French inspired cuisine and dedicated gluten free and vegan menus, located in the historic Royal William Yard, this is a great option for treating your mum this Mother’s Day. They also have a branch in Torquay near the Princess Theatre overlooking the bay offering some beautiful views on a sunny day. In fact, if the weather is good, why not sit on their recently refurbished terrace and enjoy some Al Fresco dining?

For those of you in the English Riviera area of Devon, there are also excellent dining opportunities at the Cary Arms’ restaurant in Babbacombe. As an award winning restaurant using only the freshest produce directly from South Devon and priding itself on its unpretentious atmosphere, this is a good spot for anyone who loves delicious food, cooked simply. The specials board changes daily and features all the best flavours of Devon including home grown beef, Lyme Bay lobster and line caught seafood fresh in that day.

Another option for a special meal is the Ivy Exeter. Offering relaxed, sophisticated dining featuring a range of different cuisine, there really is something for everyone here. Being so close to the shopping centre and major event venues, this is a great location for rounding off an exciting day out in Exeter or for dining before a show.

Or for something truly unique, why not book a Food and Drink cruise with Stuart Line Cruises? With a range of different menu options, including the traditional Devon Cream Tea, you can experience the beauty of the region from a whole new angle whilst enjoying some delicious, local produce. It will truly be a dinner to remember!

Book a cream tea

Speaking of cream teas, though it is Devon’s greatest export, it is also a bit of a special treat and who doesn’t love sitting down somewhere pretty with a pot of thick, local cream, home made jam and some scones fresh from the oven? As it is Mother’s Day, many of the region’s cafés, restaurants and hotels will be offering variations on the cream tea, swapping the tea for something a bit stronger like champagne or prosecco and of course, there are gluten free and vegan options to be found all over the county too – so everyone can enjoy this delicious Devon delicacy.

Though we’ve already mentioned that you can get a cream tea on board a Stuart Line Cruise, there are lots of other options available to you too. In North Devon there is the stylish Highbullen Hotel where among the fine dining options you can also enjoy a cream tea with some incredible views of the hotel’s grounds. The hotel’s Drawing Room and Morning Room are two spots that are ideal for enjoying a cream tea, especially on a bright day.

Cream tea is also on the menu at the Victoria Hotel, which from its position above Sidmouth’s seafront has some incredible views to enjoy while you eat your scones – just make sure everyone is doing it the Devon way!

Find more food and drink inspiration here.

Treat her to a day of pampering

If the mother figures in your life are anything like ours, they will no doubt deserve a bit of R and R. If this is the case, why not treat them to a spa treatment or two while in Devon? Devon is home to some of the most incredible spa and beauty facilities in the country. The majority can be found within hotels or holiday villages, but these are open to both residents and day guests.

One of the most popular spas in the county is the Gaia Spa at Boringdon Hall near Plymouth. With a host of spa and wellness facilities, this is a great way for you to relax and rejuvenate. A session here will give you access to an infinity pool, hydrotherapy pool, crystal salt room and a beauty salon with champagne services amongst other facilities.

Similarly, the Elemis Spa at the other end of the county within the Highbullen Hotel has some spectacular scenery and fully trained therapists making it a personal experience tailored to each guest. What could be more relaxing than that? There are several packages available, including a mini spa day which includes a cream tea!

Within the Dartmoor National Park, there is the Ilsington Hotel Spa, which also has a range of packages available for full spa use, treatments and meals. The treatments all include Caudalie products from France and the spa has won numerous awards and really does live up to its name.

Find more options for spa days here.

Do something with the whole family

Sometimes the greatest gift you can give someone is to just spend time with them and create new memories. You don’t even need to break the bank with this one, perhaps spend a day exploring the South West Coast Path or rockpooling or crabbing at one of the region’s beaches. If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, take a look at some of the below.

Or you can head to Dartmoor and join Crag 2 Mountain with one of their family-friendly activities. Offering everything from climbing, abseiling, caving and mountaineering, their activities are suitable for all ages and abilities, so the perfect way to make new memories on Mother’s Day.

That’s not all there is on offer either, some of the top attractions are offering discounts or mums go free promotions for Mother’s Day including Canonteign Falls – one of the most stunning, natural attractions in the heart of Devon. Set within 90 acres of park and woodlands and with a waterfall, this is a lovely place to make memories.

Alternatively, you can spend the day playing with the children at Pennywell Farm or the Big Sheep. Or perhaps let mum have all the fun by letting her have a tour of the Plymouth Gin distillery.

Whatever you choose to do, you are never short of activities and attractions in Devon. Find more suggestions here.