Mothers' Day 2013 in Paignton... Treat your Mum with a day off!

WE LOVE our Mums in Paignton, and with Mother's Day coming up on Sunday 10 March there's no better way to show your Mum how much she means to you than by spoiling her rotten for the day!

Traditionally celebrated a week before Palm Sunday, Mothers' Day (or Mothering Sunday) used to be the one day in the year when servant girls were allowed to go home to see their mothers. As a gift for her mother, a girl would bake a Simnel cake, a rich fruit cake with a marzipan filling and topping. It's a charming tradition, and one you can copy, with Simnel cakes available in local bakeries and supermarkets.

Flowers and chocolates are popular Mothers' Day gifts, too, but if you really want to treat your Mum, why not give her a day off from the housework and cooking? It's sure to be appreciated! And what could be nicer than a leisurely Sunday lunch?

The Ship Inn has a sizzling Mother's Day offer with a three-course Sunday lunch for just £9.99. With main courses including roast beef, steak and chicken, and desserts like cookies and cream sundae and Bramley apple pie, she's sure to be delighted. The Ship is a long time favourite with Paignton People users: MajaCurtis says it's: 'One of the best places in Paignton selling good quality pub grub at unbeatable prices!'

Ye Olde Smokey House in Marldon is famous for its carvery lunches, served from midday until 9.00pm. Devon_Girl praises it for its 'Warm, friendly atmosphere and great food'. A standard carvery meal is £8.50 and a small one £6.50. The Blagdon Arms at Collaton St Mary also has a great reputation – matt2010 says 'Their Sunday roasts are something of a local institution', and george87 'would recommend it to anyone'. A a carvery meal is priced at £7.95, two courses at £10.95 and 3 courses £13.95.

If you're looking for something the whole family can enjoy, why not see what's happening at nearby attractions. For example, at Greenway House, you can spoil your Mum with a delicious two-course lunch in the House Kitchen. And, as an extra-special treat, your mum will be surprised with a posy of flowers from the Greenway garden. For details, click here.

MajaCurtis recommends a day out with the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company: 'The ride is always very enjoyable and the views — picturesque'. JP HEDGE PHOTOGRAPHY agrees it's a 'great way to spend a day'.

Finally, how's this for an unusual Mothers' Day gift idea? Focal Point Photography in the Crossways Centre is offering a Mothers Day Studio Experience for just £39. The Experience consists of an hour's professional photo session for up to 10 family members – a great way to create some unforgettable Mothers' Day memories. To take advantage of this offer, download the voucher here.

We hope these ideas help you decide how to spoil your Mum this year – have a great Mothers' Day!