Head to the stylish surroundings of this Grade II-listed building this Mother’s Day for a special plant pot-making workshop for you and your mum to spend a bit of quality time together and embrace your artistic skills. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the restaurant for the best Sunday Roast in the UK, as named by Rate Good Roasts, and a complimentary dessert for mums.

With a new and very talented head chef, The Alan is the talk of Manchester’s foodie world right now, making it a great time to treat your Mum there. For Mother’s Day, the city-centre restaurant is launching a special Afternoon Tea, including all the classics – freshly baked fruit scones and an assortment of freshly made sandwiches, pastries and cakes – and a pot of Bohea Tea. It’s available between 1pm-3.30pm and the price is £28pp, with the option to upgrade to Telmont Champagne (she deserves it, right?) for an extra £10pp.

What could be more inspiring than a trip to the Hepworth Wakefield, home to Dame Barbara’s amazing sculptures and studio pieces, and currently showcasing the last 100 years’ worth of acquisitions by the museum? Book Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at The Hepworth Wakefield and enjoy complimentary entry to the exhibitions as well as a selection of homemade savoury and sweet treats with a glass of rhubarb and elderflower fizz or Prosecco. Or visit the gift shop in real life or online for gift ideas, including a year’s membership.

March is the perfect time to see spring bulbs and blossom – and stock up your mum’s own borders at the garden centre. If it’s still a tad chilly, warm up by perusing the tender and exotic plants in the Paradise Garden’s two Victorian-style glasshouses, the Mediterranean House and the Fruit House, or grab a table and a slice of cake in the quaint Garden Cottage Cafe overlooking the orchard.

Treat your mum to a trip to the Victoria Baths Vintage Home Show on Sunday 12 March – it might be the week before Mother’s Day, but it’s worth the trip. You can also get behind the scenes (or under the pools) at Manchester’s famous ‘Water Palace’ every Wednesday from 5 April to 25 October (11am to 3pm) – no need to book, just pop in to explore the beautiful building.

Sit beneath the tiled Glamour of Manchester mural and sip a classic cocktail (mimosas and bloody Mary’s are both on the menu), then chow down on a platter for two or an individual roast – beef rump, Cumbrian chicken, lamb shawarma shepherd’s pie or vegan welly. Refuge roasts are served all Sunday long – as they say: ‘turn up, kick back and tuck in’.

Stop by Ancoats’ neighbourhood bar KERB for natural wines and art exhibitions (right now, Morys Davies: Screen Time) to savour while you sup, or order online and take advantage of the delivery service to your (or your mum’s) door.

If all else fails, how about a little bit of mother’s ruin? The Spirit of Manchester Distillery – home to the award-winning Manchester Gin – is just the place, to indulge in tours, tastings and tipples to drink in or take away. And if you can’t make it IRL, then why not give the gift of gin with a set including Signature, Raspberry Infused, Blackberry Infused, Wild Spirit and Hacienda flavours…

Find the finest places in Manchester to down Darjeeling (or a flute of fizz), nibble on dainty finger sandwiches and slap clotted cream on a freshly baked scone – no mum is going to say no to this afternoon out. Or, if she’s at the other end of the M62, check out our round-up of the best places for tea, cake and afternoon delights in Liverpool.