London › March Guide
Updated: July 21, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
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March is one of London’s best-value months, combining lighter crowds, improving daylight, early spring flowers, and lower hotel prices than April and summer. The weather remains cool and changeable, but longer days make outdoor sightseeing much easier than in January or February.
Early March still feels like winter. Mid-March is best for low prices and daffodils. Late March brings warmer afternoons, blossom, and much brighter evenings, but Easter can increase crowds and hotel rates.
Choose February for lower prices and quieter museums. Choose March for more daylight, spring color, and better walking conditions.
London in March: At a Glance
- Weather: Cool and changeable, with afternoon temperatures around 10°C to 12°C (50°F to 54°F).
- Rain: Showers and drizzle are common, but full days of continuous rain are less common.
- Daylight: Sunset moves from around 5:40 PM at the start of March to nearly 8:00 PM after the clocks change.
- Crowds: Moderate, with increases around Easter, Mothering Sunday, and major events.
- Hotel Prices: Lower than in April, May, and summer, especially before the Easter period.
- Spring Color: Daffodils and crocuses appear early; magnolias and blossom become more likely later in the month.
- Best For: Museums, theater, parks, walking, spring flowers, and good-value central hotels.
- Main Drawbacks: Unpredictable weather, chilly wind, muddy park paths, and possible Easter crowds.
- Best Time to Visit: Mid to late March, provided Easter does not overlap your dates.
Quick Hotel Picks for March
March is a good month to stay centrally without paying peak-season prices. A location near parks, museums, restaurants, and a useful Tube station lets you take advantage of good weather without being stranded when rain arrives.
- Best for First-Time Visitors: NoMad London in Covent Garden.
- Best for Spring Luxury: The Savoy on the Strand.
- Best for Museums: Kimpton Fitzroy London in Bloomsbury.
- Best for Families: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge on the South Bank.
- Best for Eurostar: St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.
- Best Value: Motel One Tower Hill.
Is March a Good Time to Visit London?
Yes. March is especially good for travelers who want improving weather and daylight without April’s larger crowds and higher prices.
London begins shifting from winter to spring during March. Parks regain color, outdoor walks become more enjoyable, and evenings lengthen dramatically. Museums, galleries, theaters, markets, restaurants, and pubs remain excellent backups when the weather turns wet.
March is best for:
- First-time visitors seeking a balance of indoor and outdoor sightseeing.
- Travelers who want lower hotel prices than in late spring or summer.
- Museum, theater, history, and architecture enthusiasts.
- Visitors interested in daffodils, magnolias, and early blossom.
- Travelers who enjoy cool walking weather.
Choose another month if:
- You want reliably warm weather or outdoor dining.
- You dislike carrying layers and rain protection.
- You expect parks and gardens to be in full bloom.
- You are planning a countryside-heavy itinerary.
- Your dates overlap Easter and you want the lowest crowds and prices.
Mid-March is the strongest value period. Late March has the best daylight and spring atmosphere but becomes busier when Easter approaches.
Early, Mid, and Late March
Early March
Early March can feel like an extension of winter. Mornings are cold, trees remain mostly bare, and wind beside the Thames can make sightseeing uncomfortable.
The advantages are low hotel prices, quiet museums, and good theater availability. Sunset is already later than in February, so outdoor sightseeing remains practical until early evening.
Daffodils and crocuses begin appearing in parks, but do not expect widespread blossom.
Mid March
Mid-March offers the month’s best balance of value, manageable crowds, and early spring color.
St. James’s Park, Green Park, Regent’s Park, and residential garden squares show increasing numbers of daffodils and crocuses. Restaurants become busy around Mothering Sunday, and central pubs and Trafalgar Square draw crowds for St. Patrick’s celebrations.
This is my preferred period for most visitors, especially when Easter falls later.
Late March
Late March feels significantly brighter and more springlike. Magnolias, early cherry blossom, and greener trees become more common, though exact timing depends on the year’s weather.
The clocks move forward on the final Sunday of March. Sunset then shifts dramatically later, giving visitors nearly two additional evening hours compared with the beginning of the month.
Easter can also fall in late March, bringing school-holiday crowds, higher hotel prices, and busier family attractions.
London Weather and Daylight in March
March weather is cool, windy, and highly changeable. Afternoon temperatures sit around 10°C to 12°C (50°F to 54°F), with nights near 3°C to 5°C (37°F to 41°F).
A single day can include sunshine, cloud, drizzle, and wind. Snow is possible early in the month but uncommon in central London and unlikely to remain on the ground.
The Thames, open parks, bridges, and exposed viewpoints feel colder than sheltered streets. Carry a waterproof outer layer even when the morning looks clear.
Daylight improves rapidly:
- Early March: Sunset around 5:40 PM.
- Mid March: Sunset shortly after 6:00 PM.
- Before the clock change: Sunset approaches 6:30 PM.
- After the clock change: Sunset moves close to 7:30 PM or later.
The daylight gain is March’s biggest practical advantage. Outdoor sightseeing no longer needs to end in mid-afternoon, and late-month visitors can walk through parks or along the river before dinner.
Spring Flowers and Parks
March brings London’s first dependable spring color, but the month develops gradually.
Best for Daffodils: St. James’s Park and Green Park
St. James’s Park is the easiest place to combine spring flowers with major sightseeing. Daffodils appear around the lake and lawns, with Buckingham Palace, Westminster, and Trafalgar Square nearby.
Green Park has broad sweeps of daffodils and is quieter, though it offers fewer attractions within the park itself.
Best for Magnolias: Notting Hill and Kensington
Magnolias begin appearing on residential streets in west London during March, with the best displays more likely in the second half of the month.
Notting Hill, Kensington, Chelsea, and garden squares around central London have attractive individual trees rather than one concentrated magnolia garden.
Do not build an entire itinerary around a specific bloom. Timing can shift by several weeks.
Best for a Garden Visit: Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens shows bulbs, crocuses, magnolias, and early blossom during March. The gardens become more colorful as the month progresses.
Kew is a half-day outing and requires substantial outdoor walking. Visit on the driest day in your forecast and reserve the central sights for wetter days.
Late March is better than early March for visitors primarily interested in flowers.
Best Central Park Walk: Regent’s Park
Regent’s Park is convenient for a short spring walk combined with Marylebone, Camden, or the Wallace Collection.
The formal gardens remain subdued early in March, but bulbs and fresh greenery make the park increasingly attractive later in the month.
Richmond Park and Hampstead Heath offer more space and scenery but can be muddy after rain.
Easter and School-Holiday Crowds
Easter changes dates each year and can fall in late March or April.
When Easter overlaps March:
- Family attractions become busier.
- Central hotel prices rise.
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour and timed attractions sell out earlier.
- Museums draw larger weekday crowds.
- Rail services can be affected by holiday engineering work.
- Some shops and attractions change their Easter Sunday hours.
Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays. Easter Sunday has the most significant retail closures, though restaurants, attractions, and transport do not follow one universal schedule.
Travel before the school break for better prices and lighter crowds. Families visiting during Easter should book hotels and important attractions well ahead.
March Events That Affect Your Trip
St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations
London’s main St. Patrick’s festival takes place in central London on a weekend close to March 17.
Expect a parade, performances, food, music, crowds around Trafalgar Square, and road closures through parts of the West End.
The event is festive and family-friendly during the day. Soho and central pubs become much busier afterward.
Mothering Sunday
Mothering Sunday is the British equivalent of Mother’s Day and falls three weeks before Easter Sunday.
It is one of the busiest restaurant and afternoon-tea dates of the spring. Sunday roasts, hotel teas, and destination restaurants can fill weeks ahead.
The date changes each year, so check whether it overlaps your visit.
Head of the River Race
This major rowing race takes place on the Thames between Mortlake and Putney, traditionally during March.
It is most relevant to rowing enthusiasts and visitors staying in southwest London. Riverside pubs and viewing points become busy, while most central sightseeing is unaffected.
St. David’s Day and Other Seasonal Events
St. David’s Day on March 1 brings smaller Welsh cultural and food events. Museums, galleries, theaters, and concert venues also launch spring exhibitions and programs throughout March.
Event dates and formats change annually, so check what overlaps with your stay rather than planning around a generic March calendar.
How to Plan a March Sightseeing Day
March works best when you combine outdoor sightseeing with nearby indoor alternatives.
- Morning: Tower of London, Westminster, Greenwich, or a park walk.
- Early Afternoon: Thames boat, Borough Market, South Bank, or an outdoor viewpoint.
- Late Afternoon: Museum, gallery, covered market, afternoon tea, or pub.
- Evening: Dinner, theater, live music, or an illuminated river walk.
Good geographic combinations include:
- Westminster and St. James’s: Westminster Abbey, Parliament, St. James’s Park, and Buckingham Palace.
- Tower Hill and Bankside: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, and Tate Modern.
- South Kensington: Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Kensington Gardens.
- Covent Garden and Soho: National Gallery, shopping, restaurants, and theater.
- Greenwich: Thames boat, Old Royal Naval College, market, park, and National Maritime Museum.
Use the driest part of the day for parks and outdoor landmarks. Museums remain useful after sunset and during rain.
Best Things to Do in London in March
Walk Through St. James’s Park
St. James’s Park is London’s easiest March flower stop. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade, though stops around the lake can extend the visit to an hour.
Combine it with Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Trafalgar Square, or the National Gallery.
The park can feel exposed in wind, but cafés and major indoor sights are close.
Visit Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens is best in the second half of March, when magnolias, bulbs, and early blossom become more dependable.
Allow half a day including travel. Wear water-resistant shoes because paths and lawns can remain wet.
Kew is worthwhile for garden enthusiasts and repeat visitors. First-time visitors with only three days should prioritize central London unless the weather and flower reports are particularly good.
Visit London’s Museums
March remains excellent for the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, Wallace Collection, Courtauld Gallery, and Sir John Soane’s Museum.
Weekday mornings are calmest before Easter. Wet weekends and school holidays bring larger crowds.
Reserve major temporary exhibitions. General admission to many national collections is free.
See a West End Show
March offers better theater availability and pricing than the busiest spring and summer periods.
Book major musicals and limited-run plays ahead, but compare weekday and matinee prices. A matinee is a useful backup for a wet afternoon.
Stay in Covent Garden, Soho, or the Strand when theater is a major part of the trip.
Explore Borough Market and Bankside
Borough Market is partly covered and easy to combine with Southwark Cathedral, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe, and the Thames path.
Visit before 11:30 AM or after 2:30 PM. Lunchtime and Saturdays are busiest.
Bankside works well in unsettled weather because several indoor and outdoor sights sit close together.
Take a Thames Boat to Greenwich
Regular river boats have enclosed seating and provide views of Westminster, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, and Canary Wharf.
In Greenwich, combine the Old Royal Naval College, National Maritime Museum, market, and park.
The park’s hill provides one of London’s best views but becomes muddy and slippery after rain.
Walk Through Notting Hill
March brings the first magnolias and blossoms to Notting Hill’s residential streets.
Combine Portobello Road, Westbourne Grove, and quieter streets around Ladbroke Grove. Saturday has the fullest market but also the largest crowds.
Flower timing is unpredictable, so treat blossom as a bonus rather than the sole reason to visit.
Explore Hampstead
Hampstead combines old streets, cafés, pubs, historic houses, and access to Hampstead Heath.
Keep the Heath portion short when paths are muddy. A practical route connects Hampstead station, Flask Walk, the village, and a nearby pub.
Late March is more pleasant for this outing than early March.
Visit an Indoor Viewpoint
Sky Garden, Horizon 22, and The View from The Shard provide weather-protected views.
Visibility matters more than rain. Low cloud and fog can make an expensive viewpoint disappointing.
Book free viewpoints as soon as reservations open. Choose a flexible or refundable ticket when paying for a view.
Have Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea remains appealing on cool March days, particularly around Mothering Sunday.
The Savoy, Claridge’s, The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, and many smaller hotels offer traditional teas. Famous venues require advance booking.
Treat tea as a meal rather than scheduling it between lunch and dinner.
Take a Day Trip to Oxford
Oxford is March’s strongest day trip. Direct trains from Paddington or Marylebone take roughly an hour, and the compact center combines outdoor walks with colleges, libraries, museums, cafés, and pubs.
Bath is another good choice but requires a longer and more expensive journey.
The Cotswolds and Stonehenge are more weather-dependent because they involve greater exposure to cold wind and rain.
What to Pack
- A waterproof jacket: Choose one that blocks wind and fits over a sweater.
- Removable layers: The Tube, museums, and restaurants can feel warm.
- Water-resistant walking shoes: Essential for wet pavements and muddy park paths.
- A light scarf: Useful beside the Thames and after dark.
- A compact umbrella: Helpful in drizzle, though a hood works better in wind.
- Light gloves: Useful in early March or during long outdoor visits.
A heavy winter coat is unnecessary for most March trips. A waterproof outer layer over warm, removable clothing is more practical.
What to Book Ahead
- Easter Hotels and Attractions: Book early when Easter falls during March.
- Mothering Sunday Meals: Reserve Sunday roasts and afternoon tea several weeks ahead.
- Major Museum Exhibitions: Popular temporary shows can sell out.
- West End Theater: Book limited-run productions and Saturday performances.
- Sky Garden and Other Viewpoints: Free timed reservations disappear quickly.
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour: Book months ahead, particularly during school holidays.
Outside Easter and Mothering Sunday, March requires less advance planning than April, May, or summer.
Where to Stay in London in March
March is a good month to choose a central hotel because prices remain below spring and summer peaks.
See my complete guide to the best places to stay in London and use the London hotel map to compare neighborhoods.
Covent Garden and Soho: Best for First-Time Visitors
Covent Garden and Soho put theaters, restaurants, Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, and much of the West End within a 5 to 25-minute walk.
NoMad London is the best upscale choice. Z Hotel Soho and The Z Hotel Covent Garden cost less but have tiny rooms.
Choose this area for theater, restaurants, and a short first visit. Expect crowds and street noise.
Bloomsbury: Best for Museums
Bloomsbury is close to the British Museum and within a 15 to 30-minute walk of Covent Garden, Soho, King’s Cross, and Marylebone.
Kimpton Fitzroy London overlooks Russell Square and sits beside a Piccadilly line station with direct service to Heathrow.
Bloomsbury is calmer and frequently better value than Covent Garden, but it has less nightlife immediately outside the hotel.
St. James’s and Mayfair: Best for Parks and Spring Luxury
St. James’s and Mayfair provide easy access to Green Park, St. James’s Park, Buckingham Palace, Regent Street, and the West End.
These areas are well suited to visitors prioritizing spring flowers, afternoon tea, shopping, and luxury hotels.
They are expensive and less convenient for the Tower of London, Spitalfields, and East London.
South Bank and Waterloo: Best for Families
The South Bank is close to the London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Southbank Centre, National Theatre, Tate Modern, Westminster, and river boats.
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge has family rooms and an indoor pool.
The Westminster Bridge area is touristy and crowded. Bankside is calmer and better for restaurants.
King’s Cross and St Pancras: Best for Eurostar
King’s Cross is best for Eurostar arrivals, Thameslink trains, and onward rail travel.
St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is attached to St Pancras International and sits beside six Tube lines.
The area is exceptionally well connected but less useful for walking to Westminster, the South Bank, or the Tower of London.
Tower Hill and the City: Best Value
The City offers lower weekend hotel prices and easy access to the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Spitalfields, and Thames boats.
Motel One Tower Hill offers a strong balance of comfort, transport, and price.
The neighborhood becomes quiet after office hours. Stay in Covent Garden or Soho when nightlife matters more than value.
Public Transport in March
Contactless bank cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Oyster cards are the easiest ways to pay for London transport. Use the same card or device for every journey so daily and weekly caps are calculated correctly.
Touch in and out on the Tube, Elizabeth line, DLR, London Overground, and most rail journeys. On buses, touch in only.
The Elizabeth line is useful from Heathrow for Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Liverpool Street, and Canary Wharf. The Heathrow Express is faster to Paddington but less useful for hotels elsewhere.
Check planned closures before weekend airport journeys and Easter rail trips.
London in March vs February and April
- February: Quieter, colder, and frequently cheaper. Choose February for museums, theater, and the lowest crowds.
- March: Better daylight, early spring color, and good hotel value. Mid-March offers the best balance.
- April: Warmer, greener, and more reliably springlike, but busier and more expensive around Easter and school holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions about London in March
- Is March a good time to visit London?
Yes. March offers improving daylight, early spring flowers, manageable crowds, and lower hotel prices than April and summer. - Is London crowded in March?
Crowds are moderate. Easter, Mothering Sunday, major events, and weekends bring increases at hotels, restaurants, museums, and family attractions. - Is London cheaper in March?
Hotel prices are frequently lower than in April, May, and summer. Easter dates can be considerably more expensive. - Is London cold in March?
March is cool rather than severely cold. Afternoon temperatures sit around 10°C to 12°C (50°F to 54°F), with colder mornings and evenings. - Does it rain a lot?
Showers and drizzle are common, but full days of continuous rain are less common. Carry a waterproof jacket and keep plans flexible. - Does it snow in March?
Snow is possible early in the month but uncommon in central London and unlikely to remain on the ground. - What time does it get dark?
Sunset is around 5:40 PM at the start of March. After the clocks change on the final Sunday, sunset moves close to 7:30 PM or later. - When can I see spring flowers?
Daffodils and crocuses appear from early March. Magnolias and early blossom become more likely during the second half of the month. - Is Kew Gardens worth visiting?
Yes, particularly in late March and for garden enthusiasts. Allow half a day and choose a dry forecast because most of the visit is outdoors. - Is March good for families?
Yes. London has excellent indoor attractions and improving outdoor conditions. Easter school holidays bring larger family crowds. - Do I need to book attractions ahead?
Book major exhibitions, popular theater, viewpoints, and Easter family attractions. Most standard sightseeing requires less advance planning outside holiday periods. - Can I take a day trip in March?
Yes. Oxford is the strongest choice because it combines outdoor walks with colleges, museums, cafés, and pubs. Bath is also excellent but farther away. - What should I wear?
Wear removable layers under a waterproof jacket, plus water-resistant walking shoes and a light scarf. Gloves are useful in early March. - What is the best area for first-time visitors?
Covent Garden is best for theater, restaurants, and central sightseeing. Bloomsbury is calmer and better for museums. - What are the best budget hotels?
Motel One Tower Hill offers the best combination of comfort and value. Z Hotel Soho and The Z Hotel Covent Garden are more central but have extremely small rooms. - Should I stay near the airport before an early flight?
An airport hotel makes sense for a very early departure, especially when weekend or Easter engineering work affects trains. See the best Heathrow hotels and Gatwick hotels.
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