A gardening break for Mother's Day One of the best known, and deservedly so, this hotel has an impeccable pedigree as the former home of William Robinson (1838-1935), guiding spirit of the English cottage garden and early champion of the wild garden. The stone Elizabethan manor of Gravetye was the perfect setting for his ideas on natural gardening and today head gardener Tom Coward, formerly of Great Dixter, continues to experiment. The oak-panelled rooms with diamond-mullioned windows look out over lawns, borders and shrubbery, with views to wild flower meadows and steep-sided river valley beyond. Gardening events include a gardener's lunch on March 24 with Tom Coward and garden tours on April 17 (followed by lunch) and May 1 (followed by afternoon tea) (01342 810567; gravetyemanor.co.uk). Lucknam Park, Wiltshire A large country estate with mile-long avenue of lime and beech, Lucknam has changed hands more often than the prize in pass the parcel, but still retains an air of remote country-house elegance with its pillared portico and elegant suites named after flowers. The spa will gladden any mother's heart, but gardening sorts will also enjoy the connections between house and garden. From the charming tableau of seasonal pots around the old fountain in the courtyard stable block, to the profuse herbaceous borders in the walled garden, the garden billows with white peonies and yew hedges. The theme continues with a thriving kitchen garden under the supervision of Richard Vine, who specialises in micro salads produced from the greenhouse. Tours are available with estate manager Sarah Turner. The Park restaurant offers a Sunday lunch (£39 for three courses), which is perfect treat for Mother's Day (01225 742777; lucknampark.co.uk). Cragside, Northumberland For family forays, renting a cottage is a practical option and the National Trust has a huge range on offer. At Cragside, there's enough to entertain the most knowledgeable gardener, and long walks and healthy fresh air for those along for the ride. Cragside was the first house in the world to be lit by hydroelectricity and is crammed full of ingenious gadgets. One of the largest rock gardens in Europe leads down to an iron bridge, which in turn leads to a sheltered Victorian garden. Children will love the adventure play area and Nelly's Labyrinth, a network of paths and tunnels cut out of a rhododendron forest (01669 620333; nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside). Five places to stay with great gardens Whatley Manor, Wiltshire A new garden in grand country-house style featuring modern sculpture (01666 822888; whatleymanor.com). Barnsley House, Gloucestershire Former home of the late Rosemary Verey, doyenne of Eighties garden design; famous for its laburnum walk and knot garden. Now a boutique hotel with an excellent restaurant and spa (01285 740 000; barnsleyhouse.com). Greywalls Hotel, East Lothian A Lutyens house and beautifully maintained Jekyll garden 30 minutes" drive from Edinburgh. The hotel is offering a special Mother's Day lunch (01620 842144; greywalls.co.uk). Plas Cadnant, Anglesey Recently restored historic walled garden now maturing. The site cascades down to a rocky stream, and contains self-catering accommodation (01248 717007; plascadnant.co.uk). Ethie Castle, Angus This 14th century Scottish castle offers b&b - and six acres of young formal gardens, including a bursting-at-the-seams walled kitchen garden (01241 830434; ethiecastle.com).