Things to Do in England in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in England
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring begins to emerge with daffodils blooming across parks and countryside by mid-March - particularly spectacular in the Cotswolds and Lake District where you'll avoid the summer coach tours. Temperatures climb from 8°C (46°F) early month to 12°C (54°F) by late March, making outdoor walking actually pleasant.
- Accommodation prices drop 30-40% compared to summer peak season, and you'll actually get into popular restaurants without booking weeks ahead. A decent London hotel that costs £250 in July runs £140-180 in March. The British Museum and National Gallery are navigable without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
- Mother's Day (March 30, 2026) means exceptional afternoon tea offerings across the country, with hotels and tearooms creating special menus. This is when British establishments actually try to impress, not just coast on tourist traffic.
- Lambing season in the countryside - farms across Yorkshire, the Cotswolds, and Wales open for visitors. It's genuinely charming and gives you a reason to explore rural England when the weather makes coastal trips less appealing. Many farms offer hands-on experiences for £12-18 per person.
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get 15°C (59°F) and sunshine one day, then 6°C (43°F) with sideways rain the next. That 50 mm (2.0 inches) of rain spreads across 10 days, meaning frequent drizzle rather than dramatic storms. Locals call it 'four seasons in one day' and they're not exaggerating.
- Daylight is improving but still limited - sunrise around 6:15am, sunset around 6:00pm early March, extending to 7:30pm by month's end with the clocks changing March 29. If you're planning countryside photography or outdoor activities, you're working with a shorter window than summer's 9pm sunsets.
- Many coastal attractions and seaside towns are still in low-season mode - reduced hours, some restaurants closed until Easter. Brighton and Cornwall are open but operating at half-capacity. If your England dream involves beach walks and fish and chips on the pier, March delivers that, just with a coat on and fewer vendor options.
Best Activities in March
London Museum and Gallery Visits
March is actually ideal for London's world-class museums because you can move through the British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Modern without the summer crush. The 70% humidity and frequent drizzle make indoor cultural activities more appealing than fighting through crowds in July. The British Museum's Great Court is particularly atmospheric on rainy afternoons. Most major museums are free entry, though special exhibitions run £15-25. The cooler temperatures mean the Tube is bearable - summer heat makes the Underground genuinely unpleasant.
Cotswolds Village Walking Tours
Early spring in the Cotswolds means daffodils lining village greens, lambs in fields, and honey-colored stone cottages without the summer coach tour invasion. The villages of Bourton-on-the-Water, Bibury, and Castle Combe are accessible and beautiful in March, though you'll want waterproof boots - those picturesque country paths turn muddy after rain. Temperatures around 10°C (50°F) make for comfortable walking if you layer properly. The lack of foliage actually makes the distinctive architecture more visible.
Historic Castle Exploration
March means you can actually explore Windsor Castle, Tower of London, and Warwick Castle without queuing for 90 minutes or being herded through rooms. The cooler weather (5-12°C / 41-54°F) is perfect for walking castle grounds and climbing tower stairs - summer heat makes those stone staircases brutal. Many castles have excellent indoor sections for rainy spells. The Tower of London's Crown Jewels viewing is actually manageable in March versus the summer scrum.
Traditional Pub Experiences and Food Tours
March weather makes pub culture make sense - those cozy interiors with fires burning, Sunday roasts, and proper ales are perfect when it's 8°C (46°F) and drizzling outside. This is when pubs serve hearty seasonal food (game pies, lamb stews) rather than summer salads. Food tours in London, Bath, and York operate year-round but March means smaller groups (8-12 people versus 20 in summer) and restaurants are eager for business so portions tend to be generous. The 70% humidity doesn't affect indoor dining.
Bath and Roman Spa Heritage Sites
The Roman Baths in Bath are genuinely better in March - the steam rising from the 46°C (115°F) thermal water is more dramatic in cool air, and you can actually see the exhibits without battling crowds. The city's Georgian architecture looks particularly handsome in spring light. Bath's compact size means you can explore thoroughly in a day despite unpredictable weather - everything is within 15 minutes' walk. The new Thermae Bath Spa lets you bathe in thermal waters (£40 for 2 hours) which is perfect after walking in March drizzle.
Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon Theatre Experience
The Royal Shakespeare Company performs year-round, and March offers excellent ticket availability for performances that sell out months ahead in summer. The town itself is charming in early spring - Tudor buildings, riverside walks, and Shakespeare's birthplace are all accessible without crowds. Theatre performances (2-3 hours) are perfect for March evenings when it's dark by 6:30pm and you don't want to be outside anyway. The indoor venues are atmospheric and well-heated.
March Events & Festivals
St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
March 17 brings significant celebrations in cities with Irish communities - Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and London host parades and pub festivities. London's parade through central London draws 50,000+ participants and is free to watch. Pubs across England serve Guinness specials and Irish food. It's a genuine cultural event, not just a drinking holiday, though expect crowded pubs from 2pm onwards.
British Summer Time Begins
Clocks spring forward one hour on March 29, 2026, giving you dramatically longer evenings for the final days of your trip. Sunset shifts from 6:00pm to 7:30pm overnight, which transforms your touring possibilities. Locals are noticeably cheerier after this date - the psychological boost of evening daylight is real. Plan outdoor activities for late March afternoons to take advantage.
Mothering Sunday (UK Mother's Day)
March 30, 2026, means hotels and restaurants across England create special afternoon tea menus and Sunday roast offerings. This is when British hospitality actually elevates its game - expect elaborate cake displays, champagne packages, and flower arrangements. Restaurants book solid for Sunday lunch, but it's worth experiencing if you can secure a reservation. Prices run £45-75 for afternoon tea, £25-40 for Sunday roast.