Celebrate Your Mother with a Trip to the United Kingdom this Mother's Day

Mother's Day has a long tradition of being a day to celebrate and thank your mother for all the treasures she brought to your life. Mother's Day is celebrated in many countries and has roots in both sacred and secular history. One country that can count its Mother's Day traditions all the way back to the founding of Christianity in its lands is the United Kingdom.

Although Mothering Day has passed (March 2), it is still a wonderful place to take an American mother (American Mother's Day is May 11, 2008). Composed of three non-autonomous countries and various islands, the United Kingdom is a great place to visit in celebration of your mother's special day, since it offers a little something for just about any type of mother. The United Kingdom encompassed all of England, Scotland and Wales, so I will give you suggestions for each country.

Let's start with England, the mother country of the United States. England has both city and countryside landscapes. If your mother likes to see musicals or other theater, London has a wonderful theater district that, very much like New York City's Broadway, has tickets on sale for same day performances at ticket booths in Piccadilly Circus or on-line at London Broadway or Ticketmaster.

For the more spiritual minded mother, a choral service at Westminster Abbey might be more up your alley. I recommend the Evensong and Procession service starting at 3:00 PM on May 11. The acoustics of the cathedral are breathtaking, and any chance to hear a choral presentation there is hard to miss.

Not all mothers like the city. If your mom would like a quieter setting surrounded by nature, I recommend going to the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. The lakes and forest areas provide a tranquil setting for a peaceful get away from the bustle of everyday life. The park offers a range of activities from simple picnic grounds to elaborate spas. Enjoy a horseback ride near the lakes or take a leisurely hike through the woods or pamper you mother with a day spa package. There is a little bit of everything available in the Lake District.

Moving on to Wales, I recommend visiting Cardiff. It has a beautiful cathedral and a quaint little castle. If your mother would prefer, there is a shopping district with a variety of different sellers. There are also a wide variety of entertainment places, from clubs to theater to pubs. There is something here for any kind or age of mother. I know of both new mothers and grandmothers who have found this city a very nice place to visit.

As for Scotland, there are the many wonders that are in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The castles, shopping, cathedrals, and rural outskirts to these cities provide entertainment for many different people. However if your mother have trouble getting around on foot, I recommend a trip on the West Highland rail line From Glasgow to Mallaig. It takes you through the countryside of Scotland and allows you to see the breathtaking highlands, lochs, and moors. The journey is somewhat long, and you will need to plan ahead as it only leaves a few times a day, but I think it is well worth it.

From England, to Wales, to Scotland and everywhere in between are many places to visit. These places are just ones that I have found wonderful on my visits. There are many others that, but I like these. Regardless of whom your mother is, I am sure she would highly appreciate a trip to the United Kingdom for Mother's Day. No matter where you go, I am certain she will not forget this trip for a long time.

"Mother's Day Story," Mother's Day Celebrations
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"Choral Services," Westminster Abbey
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RobertFisher1962, "The West Highland Railway in Scotland," Geocities.com