Birthday Gift / Experience for 70 year old Mum!

[Dan_1981]

It's my old dears 70th birthday in March.

She claims not to want anything specific. However of course i'd like to mark the event with a gift of some sort.

Now as she doesn't want anything specific i'm thinking more of an experience / day out.

We're up North (Chesterfield area) but could be in London in two hours on the train so i'm thinking maybe afternoon Tea t the Ritz or something similar - she's never done anything like that but secretly i think would enjoy it.

I guess the Ritz is the 'classic' but would consider other locations if significantly better - not however fussed about a novelty type one.

Any other ideas that you can think of?

[Sheets Tabuer]

London for afternoon tea and a show?

[jet_noise]

Hot air balloon ride.

My Mum survived hers

[vx220]

Got my mum a London Zoo Keeper experience for her 65th, not sure on covid?

[Sheets Tabuer]

Wouldn't want to get my mum a covid experience for her birthday.

[anonymous-user]

Wing Walking?

[mfmman]

Would she enjoy the 'afternoon tea' enough to make five or six hours travel worthwhile. As it's localish she might have been there loads of times but it looks like Chatworth House does similar

(Alternatively, she might love trains so that might be the best bit for her)

[bristolbaron]

My grandmother decided to celebrate her 70th by spending a month in Chile teaching English to prisoners! I’d probably go for tea at the ritz over a plane ticket out there though

[Gareth1974]

There is a thread about the best Afternoon Tea in London https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I went to Claridges earlier this year and it was extremely good.

[Dan_1981]

Thanks all some good ideas there.

Recognise the travel is significant to go and eat a few scones but i think it's more about the experience - she's probably been to London a handful of times in her 70 years.

Wing walking is probably a bit of a push.... as is Chile - I think the furthest she's ever been is France when she was at school... doesn't even have a passport.

Chatsworth isn't a bad shout but trying to think of something a bit more 'special'

Hot air balloon could be an option... I think she'd be up for that.

[Riley Blue]

An evening in Doncaster perhaps? https://www.dreamboys.co.uk/tour

[Ash_]

I got my Mum a helicopter ride around the local area for her 70th.

[coppernorks]

Bit of a tightwad this one. Afternoon tea ?

A 3 night stay at Gleneagles Hotel for Mum and friend = £715 + return train fare , + spending, call it a grand.

Get it booked Scroogely Miserbones

[Randy Winkman]

Gareth1974 said:

There is a thread about the best Afternoon Tea in London https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I went to Claridges earlier this year and it was extremely good.

I went for tea there and it exceeded my expectations. Cost £60 with a glass of champagne and I came away thinking it was actually very good value.

[sjg]

My mum's 70th was recently too. Found through https://www.craftcourses.com/ a local pet painting class - over the a few days they go from a photo of a pet to a finished painting, no experience needed. She really enjoyed it and they have a nice picture of their beloved dog.

All sorts of art, jewellery, leatherwork, ceramics etc courses on there that might suit.

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Take her to see a West End show in London - it's an amazing experience and very much a London thing.

Food wise you could take her to a really good restaurant, if it's in budget somewhere a bit famous with stars.

[Cotty]

Dan_1981 said:

Any other ideas that you can think of?

It might be worth poking around in https://www.redletterdays.co.uk/ for experiences local to you. I would suggest that if you find something you like, book directly with the venue as the site is a PITA to book anything and adds to the cost.

[Cotty]

If she isn't afraid of heights like my mum, how about going somewhere with a view as well as the afternoon tea or lunch.
London Eye https://www.londoneye.com/
Sky Garden https://skygarden.london/what-is-sky-garden/
Aqua Shard https://aquashard.co.uk/aboutUs

[Dan_1981]

To provide some closure....


Took her to see Les Mis at The Lowry in Manchester & out for dinner before hand.

She was very happy.