Penshurst Place celebrates Mother’s Day with private afternoon tea and family spring activities

As the gardens at Penshurst Place begin to brighten with the first colours of spring, families are invited to mark Mother’s Day with a combination of seasonal walks, creative activities and a special afternoon tea served in one of the estate’s private rooms.

Across Mothering Sunday weekend, visitors can enjoy the early spring gardens as bulbs and blossoms start to emerge, offering a peaceful backdrop for time spent together outdoors.

Mother’s Day Weekend Crafting — included with admission

Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 March 2026

11am – 3.30pm

For Mother’s Day weekend, children can take part in spring-themed craft sessions in the Old Coach House, including creating personalised greeting cards and decorative plant pot collars to give to someone important in their lives.

A selection of small plants will be available at a 50% discount over the weekend*, enabling children who have created a plant pot collar in the Old Coach House to pair their handmade gift with a living keepsake. *[ One selected plant per participating child at the discounted rate.]

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea  — Ticketed event in an Elizabethan banqueting room

Sunday 15 March 2026

12 noon – 2.00pm or 3.00pm – 5.00pm

For those wishing to add an extra treat to the day, Penshurst Place is hosting a Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on Sunday 15 March 2026. Served in the private Elizabethan Sunderland Room (one of the estate’s banqueting spaces not normally open to the public), the experience offers a relaxed and atmospheric setting to celebrate with family and friends.

Accessed via an ancient stone staircase, guests enter the Sunderland Room, with the minstrel gallery alongside, offering a unique view over the medieval Baron’s Hall  — a perspective rarely experienced by visitors.

Once seated, guests can enjoy a traditional spread of homemade scones and cakes, delicate finger sandwiches and savoury pastries, accompanied by tea or coffee, with the option to upgrade to sparkling wine.

Two sittings are available on the day: 12 noon – 2.00pm and 3.00pm – 5.00pm. Tickets are priced at £42 per adult and £23 per child (ages 2–12), which include access to the house and gardens during normal opening hours and must be pre-booked here: https://events.liveit.io/penshurst-place-gardens/mothering-sunday-afternoon-tea-2/

New season full-time opening

Saturday 28 March – Sunday 1 November 2026

Mother’s Day weekend also marks the start of a new season at Penshurst Place. The house and gardens reopen daily on Saturday 28 March and remain open throughout the main visitor season until Sunday 1 November. For families planning multiple visits across the year, a garden season ticket offers good value and gives additional benefits. For more information on season tickets visit: https://www.penshurstplace.com/plan-your-visit/season-tickets

Whether enjoying a gentle spring walk, creating a handmade gift, or sharing an indulgent afternoon tea in a private historic setting, Penshurst Place offers a memorable way to celebrate Mother’s Day and the start of a new season. For further information on opening times, admissions and events visit www.penshurstplace.com.