CHAWTON House Library will open its doors and gates to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Families will be able to treat mum to afternoon tea on March 6 in the Great Hall of the house which is steeped in the history of early women writers.

Guests can explore the house and its 400 years of history and join a special garden tour led by new garden manager Andrew Bentley. This will include a sneak preview of the new herb garden being planted in honour of Elizabeth Blackwell.

Elizabeth Blackwell was a remarkable mother who produced her ‘Curious Herbal’ – a guide to different plants and their uses in medicine (1737-1739) to support herself and her child and free her husband from debtor’s prison.

Blackwell not only drew but also engraved and coloured the exquisite illustrations, using specimens from the Chelsea Physic Garden. The book itself and other related texts will be on display to view throughout the day.

Victoria Wright, the site’s events and communications officer, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming mums and their families. It will be a special day to show mums just how much they mean to us and this beautiful house, which celebrates women writers, is the perfect location to do that.”

Mum also receives a special gift to take home.

Tickets, priced £20 for adults, £10 for children and £55 for a family (two adults and up to three children) are available by calling 01420 541010 or via chawtonhouselibrary.org.