Mother’s Day 2017: 10 ways to treat mums in Norfolk and Suffolk this Mothering Sunday

A new space rocket display has landed at Merrivale model village, Yarmouth. Picture: Nick Butcher

1. Cuddle up with some spring lambs

Mums and their families should be able to meet newborn lambs at Kentwell Hall near Sudbury. Late March is one of the loveliest times of year at Kentwall as its flock of rare-breed Norfolk Horn sheep are lambing and the grounds are alive with spring flowers. If you are lucky you might even see a lamb being born in the Tudor Stables, and once the woolly wonders are a few days old they will be skipping around the lawn in front of the hall. Open Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm.

2. Mother's Day with a difference

At Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse, near Dereham, enjoy Mother's Day: a day with a difference. It runs from 10am to 5pm on Sunday and includes a chance to celebrate with flowers, crafts and a free cream tea for mum. Learn the Victorian language of flowers, see spring flowers across the 50 acre site, and if you've forgotten to get a gift, make it up to mum by crafting her a brooch or designing and printing a card.

3. A primrose for every mum

Yes, there's one for every mum who visits Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden, South Walsham, near Norwich, on Sunday. Explore the spring woodland garden full of wild flowers on a guided tour with the head gardener at 11am.

4. A boat trip

If the Norfolk Broads float mum's boat then try a trip from Wroxham with Broads Tours. The hour-and-a-half voyage includes the chance to enjoy views and wildflife, a live commentary from the skipper – and a glass of wine for every mum accompanied by her children. Trips begin 11.30am and 2pm.

5. Let the train take the strain

The Wells and Walsingham Light Railway is giving mums half price travel on Sunday and the beautiful narrow-gauge line will be open from 10am to 5pm. The Bure Valley Railway between Aylsham and Wroxham is running a Mothers' VIP Day. The package includes lunch, and a gift for each mum.

6. Visiting gardens

Mums visiting the splendid Gayton Hall gardens in Gayton, near King's Lynn, will be helping nursing charities as well as enjoying 20 acres of lawns, lakes, streams, bridges, woodland, waterside borders and paths. And what mum would refuse the chance to see the unusual skunk cabbage growing on her special day? There are also lots of spring flowering bulbs and woodland full of unusual trees.

The gardens are open from 1 to 5pm on Mothering Sunday, in aid of the National Garden Scheme. Entrance £5, children free. Refreshments available.

7. Jump!

Bounce along to Flux, in Ipswich, on Sunday, and accompanied mums jump for free. Book sessions in advance on 01473 231426.

8. Make a bead angel charm and card for Mothering Sunday, at St Nicholas Chapel, King's Lynn.

The free craft sessions run from 11am to 2pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult. And there is a free family craft session at The Chapel, Fellowes Plain, Norwich (the former Norfolk and Norwich Hospital chapel) from 1.30-3.30pm on Saturday. The historic building is now being used as a café and community centre, run by city centre St Stephen's church.

9. Mum gets in free at Amazona Zoo, Cromer, on Sunday. Take mum to the zoo, which specialises in South American animals, and the whole family can enjoy meeting wildlife ranging from jaguars to monkeys and tapirs to Tic-Tac the toucan.

10. And finally…

How about a Mothering Sunday trip with a rocket launch, spy satellite, and placard-waving demonstrators detained by police? Charming Merrivale Model Village on Great Yarmouth seafront has an up-to-the-minute new attraction. As well as the pretty miniature village, complete with railway, set in gardens full of water features, plus the popular Old Penny Arcade and tearooms, there is now a rocket about to launch a spy satellite. And for Mother's Day a special preview price of £2 will get you into Merrivale. Open 10am to 5.15pm, last admission 4.15pm.