Make your mum happy with these lovely London activities

Making time for your loved ones is important. And in our opinion, there’s no better excuse for heading out and enjoying all London has to offer than planning a fun day out with the woman who raised you (because let’s be honest, she deserves it). So we’ve partnered with Secret London to bring you some inspo on lovely activities to enjoy with your mum

Wes and Sandy’s pick of the week

South Western Railway’s winged friends, Sandy and Wes are always ready to share their top London recommendations. Sandy loves the arts, theatre and lunching with the girls, while Wes loves clubs, pubs and going to gigs with his mates. But one thing they will never disagree on is the importance of a great breakfast. We are, admittedly, very spoilt for choice when it comes to excellent neighbourhood bakeries in London. But that doesn’t make it any less exciting when a new one is discovered. Toad Bakery’s permanent residence has only been open since last year, but judging by the unrelenting crowd it attracts day in, day out, we have a feeling they’ll be there for a while. And we personally think that grabbing a coffee and one of their exquisite pastries is a lovely way to start a day out with your mum.

How to get there: Catch the train from London Waterloo to Vauxhall, then you can take the bus 436 from Vauxhall Bus Station (Stop C) to Peckham Road / Southampton Way (Stop T). The address is 44 Peckham Rd, SE5 8PX.

Take an al fresco swim at Brockwell Lido

Open all year round, Brockwell Lido is an al fresco swimming spot frequented by London’s more hardcore swimmers. Particularly when the colder months set in! To put it bluntly, it isn’t heated. But if you’re not accustomed to swimming in brisker waters, who better to have by your side for some gentle encouragement than your mum? You’ll feel fantastic afterwards - and you’ve got the gorgeous greenery of Brockwell Park to enjoy surrounding your visit.

How to get there: Catch the train from London Waterloo to Vauxhall, then you can take the bus 2 from Vauxhall Bus Station (Stop D) to Jubilee Primary School (Stop D). The address is Brockwell Park, Dulwich Rd SE24 0PA.

Eat delicious sourdough pizza straight after

The prospect of plunging yourself into chilly water will seem more appealing if you know you’re eating something delicious at the end. And this reward can be pretty much instantaneous. Because located on Brockwell Lido’s poolside terrace is Four Hundred Rabbits, a family-owned sourdough pizza and craft beer spot. Their dough proves for at least 72 hours - and we won’t pretend to understand the science behind it, but it tastes amazing. They also have some great deals, including £5 pints and cocktails at Hoppy Hour (4pm-6pm daily), and a beer and pizza for a tenner every Tuesday. So maybe you can get the bill this time…

How to get there: Catch the train from London Waterloo to Vauxhall, then you can take the bus 196 from Vauxhall Bus Station (Stop G) to Milton Road (Stop R). The address is The Lido Cafe, Dulwich Rd, SE24 0NG.

See David Hockney up close at The Lightroom

Bigger and Closer (not smaller & further away) - is quite a self explanatory concept for this large-scale show. Utilising The Lightroom’s vast walls and state of the art sound system, this six-chapter exhibition lets audiences in on Hockney’s unique processes. Admire sixty years worth of iconic pop art in all of its vibrant glory, along with a specially composed score and commentary from the artist himself.

How to get there: Catch the Northern line from London Waterloo to Leicester Square, and then hop on the Piccadilly line to King's Cross St. Pancras. It's 10 minutes walking from there. The address is 12 Lewis Cubitt Square N1C 4DY.

Stop for a cocktail at Spiritland

Something about the understated decor of Spiritland just screams post-exhibition cocktail. It does also help that it's only two minutes walk away from the Lightroom. This cafe-come-bar also offers small plates, hot sandwiches and brunch - but the cocktails are what we’re interested in here. In our experience a small menu tends to mean a good menu, and these seven cocktails all bring something unique and exciting to the table. Plus the setting is just the right balance of trendy and grown up for a parent outing.

How to get there: Catch the Jubilee line from London Waterloo to London Bridge, and then hop on the N orthern line to King's Cross St. Pancras. It's 10 minutes walking from there. The address is 9 - 10 Stable St N1C 4AB.

Taste the flavours of Japan at OKAN

For the benefit of our non-Japanese speaking audience, we thought it would be nice to point out that OKAN actually means mother. And while we don’t necessarily advocate for choosing restaurants solely based on the name, this one actually does great food. Their extensive menu offers an array of flavour-packed dishes, both for sharing and for not. Dive into Donburi rice bowls, go OTT on the Otsumami tapas dishes and enjoy a laid back lunch or dinner with your mum.

How to get there:

• Catch the train from London Waterloo to Vauxhall, then you can take the Victoria line to Brixton.It's 5 minutes walking from there. The address is Unit 39, Brixton Village, Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8PS.
• Catch the train from London Waterloo to Vauxhall, then you can take the Victoria line to Brixton.It's 10 minutes walking from there. The address is 338 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8QH.
• OKAN is 10 minutes walking from London Waterloo. The address is 338 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9 8QH.

Browse for watches in Olivia Burton

You might be in the market for something new and shiny, or you might feel like treating your mum. Either way, Olivia Burton has a stunning array of watches and jewellery to choose from. And you can get 10% off all full price items at the Covent Garden Boutique with this SWR reward.

How to get there: From London Waterloo, you can either walk for 25 minutes or take any bus from Waterloo Station Tenison Way (Stop H) to Lancaster Place (Stop T). It's 6 minutes walking from there. The address is Clare Market, 6, Market Building WC2E 8RA.

Get your nails done at Reecey Roo’s

Like with all things concerning one’s outward appearance, preferences with nails are very personal. And in a time where some nail art designs aren’t far from becoming as intricate and structurally complex as some small buildings, it’s good to have a failsafe salon up your sleeve that can execute both bold and basic manicures, perfectly. Reecey Roo’s in Camberwell is that place. If your mum wants a classic French tip, she can have it. If you want a mini lightsaber installed on your index finger, consider it done.

How to get there: Catch the train from London Waterloo to Vauxhall, then you can take the bus Vauxhall Bus Station (Stop C) to Warner Road (Stop H). The address is 9 Camberwell Green, Camberwell SE5 7AF.

Save money by travelling with SWR

Now you’ve discovered these wellbeing activities to try, it’s time to plan your travel. Find cheap train tickets by travelling off-peak and enjoy further discounts with a Railcard. If you’re travelling in a group, you could benefit from GroupSave.

Don't forget to check out SWR Rewards to unlock rewards when you travel with us. Enjoy discounts on any of our rewards including days out, dining deals, theatre tickets, hotel stays and much more.