Mother’s Day in the UK: what is Mothering Sunday and when is it?

Each spring in the UK, families celebrate Mother’s Day by giving cards, flowers and spending time together. The British celebration happens on a completely different date from the one marked in the United States and many other countries.

In the UK, Mother’s Day is traditionally called Mothering Sunday, and its origins go back several hundred years.

When is Mother’s Day in the UK?

The UK celebration is tied to the Christian calendar, where Mothering Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent, exactly three weeks before Easter. Because Easter moves each year, the date of Mothering Sunday changes as well. In 2026, for example, Mothering Sunday falls on 15 March.

This means the UK’s Mother’s Day can arrive much earlier in the spring than the international celebration recognised in places such as the United States, Canada and Australia.

The origins of Mothering Sunday

Mothering Sunday dates back to the Middle Ages. At the time, the day was not primarily about celebrating mothers in the modern sense.

Instead, it referred to a religious tradition in which people returned to their “mother church” — the main church or cathedral in their home area — for a special service during Lent.

For many people working away from home, especially young domestic servants or apprentices, Mothering Sunday became one of the rare occasions when they were allowed to return to their hometowns.

As families reunited for the day, the occasion gradually took on a broader meaning. Visiting your mother became part of the tradition, and the religious observance evolved into a family-focused celebration.

How Mother’s Day is celebrated today

Today, Mothering Sunday in the UK looks quite similar to Mother’s Day celebrations around the world.

Many people give cards, flowers or small gifts, while families often meet for a special meal or Sunday lunch. Restaurants across the country frequently offer Mother’s Day menus, making it one of the busiest days of the year for the hospitality industry.

Younger children sometimes make handmade cards or gifts at school, while older children and adults may organise family gatherings or treat their mothers to a day out. Daffodils are a popular flower for younger children to give to their mums. 

Despite these modern touches, the name Mothering Sunday is still widely used in the UK, particularly in churches and historical contexts.

A celebration that continues to evolve

While Mothering Sunday began as a religious observance, today it is largely a family celebration of appreciation and care.

Whether marked with flowers, a home-cooked meal or simply a phone call, the purpose remains the same: recognising the role mothers and caregivers play in family life.

From everyone at UEL, happy Mother's Day.