We've been celebrating Mother's Day since the 1600s, and chocolates and flowers are perennial favourites. But what many mums want is simply some quality time spent as a family, having fun. Preferably outside the house, with no washing up to do afterwards.

Here are some ideas from the National Trust for days out around the UK this weekend, from delicious high teas in stunning locations to quirky events suitable for all the family:

Bateman's, East Sussex
Mother's Day English tea, 14 March 2.30pm - 4.30pm
Visit the beautiful home of Rudyard Kipling deep in the Sussex countryside and treat mum to a traditional English Tea of sandwiches, scones with lashings of jam and cream plus a slice of Victoria sponge cake.
Normal admission charges apply plus an additional event charge of £8.50 per adult. Booking is essential for this event, please call 01435 882302.

Belton House, Lincolnshire
Mothering Sunday, 14 March 10.30am - 5.30pm
Why not treat mum to lunch or afternoon tea on her special day? Drop into the gift shop for special deals on pampering products. Relaxing mini massages available in the afternoon (small charge applies). Normal admission charges apply plus small additional event charges. Booking is not required for this event.
For more information please call 01476 566116.

Preparing to send your child off to nursery for the very first time can be daunting. Many parents worry about what they need to do to prepare for the first day and how their child will adapt to a new environment.

Jac MacLean, centre manager at Durrington Sure Start Children and Family Centre for West Sussex County Council has these top tips on how to make the transition from home to nursery go as smoothly as possible:

1. Find out more
It's really important to visit the nursery setting with your child in advance of their first day to get to know the staff and the surroundings. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I always advise parents to come along with a list of questions so they don't forget when they arrive. If possible, try and visit the session your child will be attending in advance so you know what happens on an average day.

Several years ago, TV cook Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall became somewhat notorious for cooking and eating pate made from placenta.

Now a chef in the US has gone one better in creating food out of the human body – he's used breast milk to create cheese. And he's planning to make more.

What do you think? Just right for a Ploughman's Lunch with a difference, or a taste too far? If it's OK for babies, then why not us?

Chef Daniel Angerer of New York City's Klee Brasserie made the cheese from the breast milk of his wife and business partner, Lori Mason. He told New York Magazine's Grub Street blog: "Being a chef you're curious about anything in terms of flavour – you look out for something new and what you can do with it." He adds: "It wasn't like, 'Hey, this is such an amazing cheese.' It's just like, 'Can you use human milk? Yes, you absolutely can!'"

So what does it taste like?

If you've got small children, you'll know that South West England is a great holiday destination. I've had some brilliant holidays with my family in Devon and Cornwall, cycling on the Tarka Trail and scrambling over rocks looking for fossils on the coast.

With all the extra palaver that travelling with small children involves, it's great to be able to head off in the car and know you'll soon be at a lovely beach enjoying an ice cream.

But it's not just about beaches, there are any number of adventure playgrounds, animal parks and sanctuaries, and opportunities to explore the historical and natural beauty of the area.

Take a look at our ideas for the Top Ten things to do to while visiting South West England with pre-schoolers: