GAZETTE & HERALD: Calne is the perfect place to spend Mother's Day with its welcoming community and beautiful surrounding countryside.

It is one of the oldest towns in Wiltshire, and is centrally located with many famous landmarks a short distance away.

The Cherhill White Horse, just a few miles east of the town, is an ideal location for a brisk walk on Mothering Sunday. From the top of the horse, ramblers can expect magnificent panoramic views of the rolling hills of north Wiltshire.

Closer to town visitors can wander along the River Marden and spot many different types of wildlife at the Quemerford meadows.

The town was established by the Wessex Kings in the Dark Ages. The surrounding landscape was already ancient, studded with prehistoric burial mounds and the stone circle temple of Avebury, which still receives thousands of visitors each year and has a range of goods on sale at its gift shop.

The centre of Calne is currently being redeveloped following the closure of Harris meat factory. The town now boasts a selection of gift shops, antique shops, restaurants, galleries and small retailers, such as The Real Meat Co which stocks locally produced sausages and meat.

If you want to spoil your mother take her for a pampering at Woman to Woman Beauty Salon.

Alternatively shops such as Face Value offer a full range of cosmetics.

After a pampering visitors can wander around the pedestrian town centre and admire the sculpture outside the library and the grand town hall.

If you are looking for an alternative gift for mother's day, family and individual photography portraits can be booked at Hallmark Photography. Alternatively unique engraved Mother's Day gifts can be found at Regency Presentation.

If you are feeling a bit peckish you could grab a baguette at Sam Widges or why not splash out on a nice meal. Have a bit to eat at The Spice of Bengal

Indian Restaurant or the newly refurbished White Hart Hotel or choice a tasty meal from the a la carte menu at the Bug and

Spider pub.

If you feel like really pushing the boat out, you could consider whisking mum away for a much deserved holiday, which travel agent Travel Emporium in Phelps Parade would be able to help organise.

Art lovers can find plenty to satisfy their curiosity with sculptors, painters, wood carvers, potters and glassworkers with studios in the area.

Alternatively, a special gift might be found at Martock Gallery in London Road which has just been taken over by Steven and Lesley Dunnett and Michael and Sarah Sparrow, including bronze resin sculptures and mirrors, alongside work by the country's leading artists. The gallery can stretch and frame needlework and offers a framing service.

Adults and children alike will have plenty to see at Bowood House, which caters for all the family. Treat your mother to a visit around the Bowood house and gardens and enjoy a cream tea in the tearooms.

Bowood is the magnificent family home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne and was designed by Robert Adam in the 18th century.

The interior contains a remarkable collection of family heirlooms and works of art. The house overlooks the terraced gardens and 40-acre lake.

Other highlights include the cascade, grotto, pinetum and arboretum.

There is also an adventure playground which hosts one of the steepest slides in the country.

Bur Mother's Day is not the only time of year to enjoy Calne. During the summer the town comes awash with colour, sound and sights as the Carnival takes to the streets.

Each year the Calne Music and Arts Festival is a roaring success and people travel from abroad to hear the array of classical, jazz and popular music and see the amateur and professional art.

During the rest of the year Marden House is host to weekly recitals and is widely supported by local musicians.

For those who like country music there is a large event each year in the north of the town. The Calne Country Music

Festival is the only event of its kind in Wiltshire.