Boss Breaks: Unique Kent Adventures To Enjoy This Mother’s Day
Unique Kentish adventures for the extraordinary women who do it all – because sometimes Mother’s Day calls for something a little more unexpected.
While glorious bouquets and indulgent afternoon teas are tried-and-tested treats that mums and mother figures will always love, sometimes shaking up the gifting box with a little more fun and adventure is just the ticket for a celebration perfectly fitting for those women filling our lives with boundless strength and adoration.
Falling on Sunday 15 March this year, Mothering Sunday offers us the perfect opportunity to gift the special women in our lives with a day out as memorable as they are. From creative workshops and lively tastings to thrilling adventures and restorative retreats, Kent offers no shortage of out-of-the-box ways to mark the occasion and make Mother’s Day 2026 the very best yet.
For Foodies & Creative Sippers
A wonderful way to treat the food and tipple lovers in our lives is with Kent’s wealth of fantastic food and drink experiences. A great way to unwind, learn something new and savour fantastic local flavours, these joyous gatherings promise heaps of Mother’s Day fun.
Combining convivial sipping with some creative exploration, why not book mum a coveted spot at one of Art Unscrewed’s Paint, Sip & Socialise sessions? Taking place at either Thirty Nine in Whitstable or at various venues across Kent, these welcoming public or private events offer an easy step-by-step guide to an array of themed painting styles, complemented by a glass of your favourite tipple (wine, beer, soft drink or a cocktail) included in the ticket price.
For cocktail aficionados, Maidstone Distillery beckons visitors to try their hand at the art of mixology in a two-hour, hands-on Cocktail Masterclass. Known and celebrated for their distilling heritage, artisan spirits and unique experiences, the class is held within the award-winning distillery and allows guests to learn to shake, stir and muddle under expert guidance, creating three full-sized premium cocktails using luxurious Kentish spirits made on site.
If being immersed in the wonderful world of local viticulture is more mum’s thing, a Full Day Private Wine Tour with the fabulous Wine Tours of Kent team is sure to go down a treat. Enjoy the exciting opportunity to be transported through the Kent countryside for a bespoke day of wine tasting, stopping off at two or more award-winning vineyards and indulging in a range of still and sparkling wines before a well-deserved lunch pitstop featuring a delectable vineyard platter or a traditional country pub lunch at a nearby 15th-century inn.
Delicious beverages aside, those who fancy themselves a master in the kitchen will love the Cooking Courses at Kent Cookery School in Ashford. Ranging from a spice-laden curry course and flavoursome Mexican street food evenings to an insightful introduction to breadmaking, these relaxed yet knowledgeable sessions are created with building confidence and inspiring cooking creativity in mind. For mother figures with little ones in tow, the school’s popular adult-and-child pasta, pizza or sushi making workshops offer a brilliant setting to spend quality time together while gaining new skills.
For Wilderness Resetters
For mother figures who would relish the opportunity to slow down, reset, connect with like-minded individuals and embrace plenty of female empowerment, these rejuvenating retreats offer a well-deserved escape.
Designed to nurture rest, relaxation and reconnection, Mount Ephraim Gardens in Faversham has recently launched a series of Women’s Wellness Retreats. Set amongst 10 acres of tranquil gardens, Mount Ephraim invites women to immerse themselves in the calm of the estate, combining a thoughtfully structured wellness programme with a comfortable two-night stay. Enjoy yoga, individual massage and reflexology treatments, and take time to unwind in Sauna & Wild’s wonderfully converted horsebox sauna. Taking place on Saturday 14 March, the estate is also offering a Mother’s Day special retreat which includes a one-night stay in an ensuite guest room, access to the sauna on the Saturday afternoon and ample time to explore the grounds.
Also heartily championing women’s wellness, Shala offers a progressive yet deeply rooted approach to female wellbeing, often inspired by ancient wisdom. Through women’s circles, bespoke events, pregnancy and a postpartum support and specialist training led by founder Anna Brook, Shala creates spaces designed to support transformation, enabling women to live with greater purpose, empowerment and joy.
For extended Mother’s Day celebrations, treat mum to a ticket for Shala’s upcoming She Rises Retreat, taking place on 10 – 12 April at The Quaives, a stunning 19-acre estate nestled in the Kentish countryside. Designed as an illuminating journey of self discovery and sisterhood, this enlightening weekend offers the chance to step back from the everyday and reconnect with one’s self. The retreat will include expansive breathwork, sharing circles, feminine rituals, connection to nature, yoga, heart-opening cacao, sound healing and astrological insight.
For the Style Set
Celebrating confidence, self-expression and a little indulgence, there are also plenty of luxe treats available for the ultra-stylish women in our lives.
Whether for a boost in mum’s style confidence, or simply a special excuse to delight in some retail therapy, a Personal Shopping Appointment within the Styling Lounge at McArthur Glen Ashford Designer Outlet offers a thoughtful and tailored shopping experience. With an expert stylist on hand, mum can refresh her wardrobe, discover clothing that highlights her personality and find new styles that spark both joy and self-belief.
For beauty enthusiasts and self-care fiends, award-winning makeup artist Lauren Elle’s Bespoke Makeup Lessons and Skincare Edit offer a confidence-boosting Mother’s Day gift that keeps on giving.
Curated to empower rather than overwhelm, Lauren’s lessons focus on sharing expert techniques, personalised advice and her favourite tried-and-tested products – all with the aim of helping others to feel confident creating looks that make them feel the best version of themselves. Equally enlightening, Lauren’s Skincare Edit sessions are thoughtfully designed to eliminate confusion around skincare, covering everything from current routines and skin concerns to her signature skin prep techniques and luxurious weekly treatments. Available on a one-to-one basis and in small groups, most lessons take place at Lauren’s private studio near Canterbury, offering an intimate and laid-back setting for a truly personal experience.
For Active Adventurers
Stepping outside of the everyday, mood-boosting movement and adrenaline-fuelled adventures make for some of the most memorable Mother’s Day out picks for mums who like to keep active.
Suitable for both beginners and seasoned movers, Longfield and Meopham’s Momentum Dance are true specialists in feel-good dance classes for adults. Inviting women to take a little time for themselves, dust off their dancing shoes and relish the joy that comes with learning to dance, owner and fellow mum Lorna offers classes in a myriad of styles including tap, lyrical, ballet flex and high-energy dance fitness sessions – all delivered in a friendly and supportive environment that works wonders for both physical and mental wellbeing.
For groups or family escapades this Mother’s Day, a code-cracking escape room experience is sure to get everyone involved. Luckily for us, Kent is home to some of the very finest. Escape Kent’s highly recommended Canterbury and Faversham venues offer incredibly immersive rooms where teams must work together against the clock to solve the puzzle. For expert escapers looking for something a little different however, Maidstone’s Prison Island has just the thing, with 25 unique challenge rooms that test your skills through a mix of puzzles and physical tasks to earn points. Unlike traditional escape rooms, participants are free to move between challenges at their own pace, making it ideal for mixed abilities and group sizes. Those seeking a historic twist should look to Escape in the Towers in Canterbury, where atmospheric rooms set within England’s largest surviving medieval gateway, alongside ‘Posh Karaoke’ booths and fantastic cocktails, all combine for a one-of-a-kind adventure.
For slightly more daring types, Canoe Wild offers a great range of paddle-powered activities along the picturesque River Stour, from SUP paddleboarding and kayaking to canoeing experiences for all abilities. For mums and mother figures who seek solace through river-based adventures, their Sunset Paddles promise blissful golden-hour views with all the added thrill that comes from time spent on the water.
For more Kent day out inspiration, click here to read our latest issue.
