At a Glance
Compared to this destination's peak season Two spike windows in 2027: Six Nations Super Saturday Sat Mar 13 (England v Scotland at Twickenham; hotels +40-60%) and the Easter weekend Mar 26-29, which also carries the clock change on Easter Sunday. Mother’s Day UK is early (Sun Mar 7; restaurants book 4-6 weeks ahead); the St Patrick’s Day parade is usually on the Sunday nearest Mar 17. The Boat Race is in April this year (Sun Apr 11). TfL: Zone 1-2 daily cap £8.90 and 7-day £44.70, frozen through to March 2027 (check the 2027 fares); bus £1.85 from Nov 1, 2026. Congestion Charge £18 since Jan 2 2026.
London in March — Travel Guide
By Harry Nara · Last updated
London in March offers some of the best conditions of the year, ideal for six nations, st patrick, Easter + spring visitors. Expect temperatures of 3–12°C, around 10 days of rain, and medium crowds across the city. Daily budgets typically land around £65–2,000+ for mid-range travellers. Book three to four weeks ahead for the best mid-range rates and the widest hotel choice.
Contents14 sections
#Weather in London in March
London in March averages 3–12°C (37–54°F) with around 10 days of rain, and crowds are medium.
| Measure | March in London |
|---|---|
| Daytime high | 9–12°C / 48–54°F |
| Overnight low | 3–5°C / 37–41°F |
| Rain | About 10 wet days totalling ~50mm |
| Wind | The strongest of any month; Midtown skyscraper canyons push real-feel 5–10°C below forecast |
| Sunset | 5:45pm on 1 March, 6:30pm on 28 March, then 7:30pm on 30 March |
| Clocks | British Summer Time begins Sunday 28 March 2027 (Easter Sunday), 1am to 2am |
Figures are UK Met Office Heathrow 1991–2020 normals.
What that actually means for your trip:
- Early March still feels like winter; late March is noticeably milder. The two halves are genuinely different trips.
- The clock change transforms the evenings overnight. An hour of extra daylight lands in a single weekend and changes what an after-work evening looks like.
- Wind is the underrated factor. London's March real-feel is routinely well below the forecast number, especially between tall buildings.
- Pack for unpredictability. Sunshine and showers can alternate within hours.
Should you come in March? The second half is the better half, with longer evenings and milder afternoons at shoulder-season prices. In 2027 the Easter weekend (March 26-29) and the clock change on Easter Sunday land at the very end of the month, so either come before them or book early for them.
#What to Do in London in March
The Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race: April in 2027
One of the world's most iconic university sporting events. 6.8km along the Thames from Putney Bridge to Mortlake, on a date that moves between late March and April with the tides.
In 2026 it was Saturday March 28; in 2027 it is Sunday April 11, with races at 3:40pm and 4:40pm (theboatrace.org), a hundred years after the first Women's Boat Race. So a March 2027 trip misses it; see London in April.
~250,000 spectators free along the Thames route.
Best free viewing spots: Putney Bridge embankment (start; 12:00pm arrival), Hammersmith Bridge (~½ mark), Chiswick Bridge (finish; less crowded). Race typically lasts 16-19 minutes.
Six Nations Final Round: England v Scotland (Sat Mar 13, 2027)
The Six Nations Championship's final round falls on the second weekend of March each year.
England play at Twickenham Stadium (82,000 capacity; West London; District Line + Overground to Twickenham Station + 10-min walk).
In 2027 the final-round match at Twickenham is England v Scotland for the Calcutta Cup (4:40pm, one of three "Super Saturday" games), which draws 80K+ spectators.
Tickets via RFU ballot (englandrugby.com opens September the year before); resale via Twickets + AXS.
Match-day pub culture peaks along Twickenham High Street + central pubs (Sports Bar & Grill, The Sporting Page, Brewdog Soho) shows on every screen.
St Patrick's Day Parade (Trafalgar Square)
London's biggest annual Irish-diaspora celebration.
The Mayor of London hosts the Trafalgar Square festival from noon-6pm with live Irish music + dance + food market + family events.
It is usually held on the Sunday nearest St Patrick's Day (Wednesday March 17 in 2027; the 2026 parade was Sunday March 15), and the date is confirmed by the Mayor's office in the new year.
The parade sets off 12pm from Hyde Park Corner along Piccadilly → Lower Regent Street → Trafalgar Square.
All free; no tickets required.
Mother's Day UK: Sun Mar 7, 2027 (Mothering Sunday)
UK Mothering Sunday falls on the 4th Sunday of Lent (not the US/AU date in May).
2027 = Sun Mar 7, early because Easter is early.
Restaurant reservations book 4-6 weeks ahead for the top destinations: The Ivy + Rules + Sketch + Hide + Quaglino's + Galvin La Chapelle all run Mother's Day prix-fixe menus £85-180 per head.
Common mistake: assuming it falls mid-month as it did in 2026 (March 15) and finding the prix-fixe tables gone.
Cherry Blossom Buildup at Kew + Greenwich + Battersea Parks
London cherry blossom typically peaks late March - early April (climate-shifted from pre-2010 first-week-April baseline).
Best locations: Kew Gardens Cherry Walk (£23 adult / £9 child; April-prime but late-March early bloomers); St James's Park (Birdcage Walk side); Battersea Park (Japanese cherry trees); Greenwich Park (Royal Observatory side); Regent's Park (Avenue Gardens).
Local-tip on early-morning photography: Kew opens 10am (members 9:30am); arrive at 9am for the Cherry Walk before crowds, especially on the last two weekends of March.
Premier League + West End Theatre Peak Season
Premier League runs throughout March with multiple London-derby matches at Emirates Stadium (Arsenal), Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Stamford Bridge (Chelsea), London Stadium (West Ham).
West End theatre at peak season with Cinderella at the London Palladium continuing through January 10 closing; spring matinees + new productions at the National Theatre + Royal Court + Old Vic + Donmar Warehouse.
Globe Theatre outdoor performances start late April; indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse runs March by candlelight (£20-60).
Richmond + Hampstead Park Walks
Richmond Park (free; open dawn to dusk; deer herd of 600+; March sees stag rut activity at distance).
Isabella Plantation woodland walk begins azalea season late March (peak April-May).
Hampstead Heath (free; 320 hectares; Parliament Hill panoramic view; spring crocuses + early daffodils).
Local-tip on the Thames Path Hammersmith-to-Richmond stretch (7 miles, 2.5 hours, free; mid-late March when weather cooperates).
Easter Weekend (Fri Mar 26 – Mon Mar 29, 2027)
Easter falls inside March in 2027: Good Friday (Mar 26) and Easter Monday (Mar 29) are bank holidays, and the clocks go forward on Easter Sunday itself. Chocolate Easter eggs fill every supermarket from early in the year; Hot Cross Buns appear at Borough Market + Konditor + Gail's bakeries from Ash Wednesday.
Restaurant Easter Sunday menus for Mar 28 open for booking in February (book 3-4 weeks ahead).
Kew Gardens Easter Family Festival typically runs across the Easter school holidays (Mar 28 - Apr 12 in 2026) (special children's programming included with Kew admission).
Royal Family Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel, Windsor (free public viewing along the route).
#Getting Around
Heathrow Piccadilly line (50 min, £6.70 peak / £5.60 off-peak) or Heathrow Express (15 min, £25).
Elizabeth line Heathrow to Paddington (22 min, £11.80 single peak).
Gatwick Express to Victoria (30 min, £19.90) or Thameslink (30-45 min, £10-17).
Stansted Express to Liverpool Street (47 min, £19.40).
Luton to St Pancras Thameslink (33 min, £17-22).
TfL fares: Tube singles rose 10-20p on Mar 1, 2026 (a Zone 1 peak single is £3.10), but the Zone 1-2 daily cap (£8.90) and 7-day cap (£44.70) were frozen through to March 2027, when TfL’s annual fare change usually takes effect, so check the 2027 figures; bus single £1.85 from Nov 1, 2026.
Elizabeth line continues fast east-west journeys (Bond Street to Liverpool Street 6 min).
Easter weekend Mar 26-29: engineering works are common on bank holidays, so check TfL before travelling.
Twickenham Six Nations match day Sat Mar 13: District/Overground Twickenham Station overcrowded 11am-1pm + 5-7pm.
#Budget & Costs
| Travel style | Per day | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | £65–100 | Hostel, free museums, market lunches, pub dinners |
| Mid-range | £160–280 | 3-star hotel, restaurant meals, theatre |
| Luxury | £450–1,500 | Connaught, Claridge's, Savoy, Ritz, fine dining |
March is still relatively affordable, a step up from February but below the April and May spring peak.
Hostels run £25–40/night, three-star hotels £120–200, and the landmark houses £450–2,000.
Market lunches are £8–15, pub dinners £18–28, restaurant meals £30–60 per person and fine dining £100–250.
Theatre spans £40–95 for regular seats and £85–180 for West End premium.
Key prices (2026):
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| London Eye, fast-track | £52 |
| London Eye, standard | £39 |
| Tower of London | £35 |
| Cinderella at the Palladium | £35–195 |
| Westminster Abbey | £30 |
| Kew Gardens, adult | £23 |
| Kew Gardens, child | £9 |
| Tube daily cap | £8.90 |
| British Museum, both Tates | Free |
| National Gallery | Free |
Where the money actually goes:
- Two weekends carry a premium. Six Nations Super Saturday on Sat Mar 13 pushes Twickenham and central hotels up 40–60%, and the Easter weekend of Mar 26-29 lifts rates across the city.
- Mother's Day needs booking, not budgeting. Sun Mar 7 prix-fixe menus run £85–180 a head and go 4–6 weeks ahead, so the constraint is availability rather than price.
- The free tier is world-class. The National Gallery, both Tates and the British Museum all cost nothing, which is what keeps the budget tier viable in a city this expensive.
- The Tube cap is the whole transport budget. At £8.90 a day there is no saving to chase; travel as much as you like and treat it as a fixed line.
March is the last genuinely affordable month before spring pricing arrives, and the arithmetic rewards moving early rather than waiting for better weather. The free museums mean a wet March day costs nothing, while the same wet day in May costs the same room rate plus the premium. The only real trap is the calendar: a rugby Saturday and an early Easter can double a central room rate without changing anything else about the trip. Check those two dates first, then book with confidence.
#Food & Dining
March spring produce arrives at Borough Market (Thu-Fri quieter than Sat; spring onions, wild garlic from late March, purple sprouting broccoli, first asparagus mid-late March from Wye Valley, Cornish new potatoes).
Top March addresses: Padella at Borough (pasta; no reservations; queue 30-90 min); Ottolenghi Islington (Middle Eastern-inspired lighter spring plates £18-32); Lyle's Shoreditch (modern British seasonal tasting £65-85pp); St. John Smithfield (game season's final weeks; £22-32 mains); The Anchor Bankside Sunday roast £18-22 with Thames view.
Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) Feb 9, 2027 is well past; St Patrick's Day Wed Mar 17 in Irish pubs: Guinness on tap at every venue but O'Neill's + Waxy O'Connor's + The Spaniards Inn + Toucan Soho have the most authentic atmosphere.
#Nightlife
Theatre season picks up momentum in March.
Globe announces season typically early-mid March (outdoor performances open late April; indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse by candlelight runs through March £20-60).
Ronnie Scott's Soho for jazz reliable year-round.
O2 Academy Brixton + Roundhouse Camden + Eventim Apollo Hammersmith have strong March concert programmes.
Comedy at the Soho Theatre + The Bill Murray + Comedy Store at full programming.
Sky Garden free observation deck open 10am-9pm (book via skygarden.london up to 3 weeks ahead; free entry).
#Shopping
Spring arrivals hit shops in March: Liberty London fashion floors receive new-season stock; Selfridges spring window displays revealed mid-March; Fortnum & Mason Easter chocolate selection peaks.
Portobello Road Saturdays attract more visitors but still far from summer crowds.
Carnaby Street + Neal Street Covent Garden for independent fashion.
Bermondsey Antique Market (Fri mornings from 5am) is one of London's most serious antique markets.
Spitalfields Market Sundays for fashion + vintage.
Vinyl Days Brixton + Soho for record collectors.
#Culture & Etiquette
- St Patrick's Day Parade (usually the Sunday nearest Mar 17): Mayor of London Trafalgar Square festival noon-6pm; parade noon from Hyde Park Corner → Piccadilly → Trafalgar Square arriving ~12:45-1pm
- BST begins Sun Mar 28, 2027 at 1am → 2am (Easter Sunday): clocks forward 1 hour; British Summer Time through Sun Oct 31; phones update automatically; check this before booking early-morning airport transfers
- Mother's Day Sun Mar 7, 2027 (UK Mothering Sunday; NOT May): restaurants book 4-6 weeks ahead for prime tables
- Six Nations final round Sat Mar 13, 2027 (England v Scotland): Twickenham match-day = pubs across London on every screen; respectful of cheering vs disinterested patrons
- Tipping: 12.5% service charge often added; check bill (legally must be voluntary; can request removal); £1 per drink at the bar is standard
#Essential Local Phrases
British English packs a few words American visitors won't immediately recognise.
| What you want to say | What Londoners say |
|---|---|
| The subway / metro | The Tube |
| An umbrella | A brolly |
| Standing in line | Queueing |
| The bathroom / restroom | The loo |
| Sneakers | Trainers |
| A sweater / pullover | A jumper |
| A cookie | A biscuit |
| Dessert (any kind) | Pudding |
| Two weeks | A fortnight |
| A cup of tea | A cuppa |
| Public holiday | A bank holiday |
| Boat Race | The 'Varsity Race (Oxford-Cambridge) |
#Packing List
- Waterproof jacket: March showers guaranteed; Cathagain wind-driven rain hits horizontally
- Warm mid-layer (fleece or jumper) for mornings + evenings (3-5°C lows early month)
- Compact umbrella: most London visitors carry one daily through March
- Comfortable waterproof shoes: paths in parks (Hampstead, Richmond) can be muddy
- Light scarf: wind is strongest of any month
- Layers you can remove during warmer afternoon sunshine (12°C late month)
- Smart-casual outfit for theatre + Six Nations pub atmosphere
#Backup Plans
If the Easter weekend is rained out: The free museums stay open on Good Friday and Easter Monday (check Easter Sunday hours). Indoor alternatives: National Gallery (free; Turner + Vermeer + Caravaggio + Van Gogh); Tate Britain (free); Design Museum High St Kensington (£15+).
If Six Nations Mar 13 tickets are sold out: Sports Bar & Grill Marylebone + Brewdog Soho + The Sporting Page Chelsea show all matches on big screens; arrive 90 min before kickoff for prime position.
If St Patrick's Day Trafalgar Square is overwhelming: Local Irish pub culture (O'Neill's, Waxy O'Connor's Soho, The Spaniards Inn Hampstead, Toucan Soho) runs all day on parade Sunday and on St Patrick's Day itself with live Irish music + Guinness on tap.
#Safety & Health
March is safe with no significant seasonal hazards beyond wind + occasional heavy rain.
Easter weekend draws large crowds to the West End and the South Bank; pickpockets work busy events; keep valuables zipped.
St Patrick's Day central pubs become rowdy by late evening; plan exit route.
Six Nations Sat Mar 13 Twickenham match-day District Line + Overground overcrowded 11am-1pm + 5-7pm; consider taxi/Uber if travelling outside peak windows.
Wet cobblestones + slippery park paths common physical risk; wear shoes with grip.
Hayfever season begins late March (early tree pollen including birch, alder, hazel); antihistamines at any Boots/Superdrug pharmacy.
NHS walk-in centres available for minor illness without appointments (£0 for EHIC/GHIC holders; £50-150 visit for non-EU without insurance).
Emergency: 999 (universal); non-emergency police 101.
#What's New for March 2027
- Six Nations final round Sat Mar 13, 2027: England v Scotland for the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham (4:40pm); tickets via the RFU ballot, which opens the September before
- Mother's Day UK is early: Sun Mar 7, 2027 (Mothering Sunday; NOT May; restaurants book 4-6 weeks ahead)
- Easter falls in March: Good Friday Mar 26 to Easter Monday Mar 29, 2027, both Fridays and Mondays bank holidays
- BST begins Sun Mar 28, 2027 at 1am → 2am, on Easter Sunday itself
- The Boat Race is in April in 2027 (Sun Apr 11), not March
- St Patrick's Day is Wed Mar 17; the Mayor's parade and Trafalgar Square festival are usually on the nearest Sunday (Mar 15 in 2026)
- TfL fares: Tube singles rose 10-20p on Mar 1, 2026, but the Zone 1-2 daily cap (£8.90) and 7-day cap (£44.70) were frozen through to March 2027, when TfL’s annual fare change usually takes effect, so check the 2027 figures; the bus single is £1.85 from Nov 1, 2026 (was £1.75)
- Congestion Charge £18 from Jan 2, 2026 (was £15; ULEZ £12.50 additional = £30.50 worst-case; EVs lost exemption Dec 25, 2025)
#About This Guide
By Harry Nara (founder of WhenToWander), May 2026; updated September 2026 for 2027. Climate data: UK Met Office Heathrow 1991-2020 normals. Dates verified against:
- The Boat Race official for the Sunday April 11, 2027 race
- England Rugby and Allianz Stadium Twickenham for the 2027 Six Nations fixtures
- Visit London St Patrick's Day for Mayor of London festival programme
- Kew Gardens for spring opening + Easter Family Festival
- TfL fares and the Mayor's decisions MD3464 and MD3517 for Tube + bus pricing
- TfL Congestion Charge for Jan 2, 2026 increase
- Sky Garden for free observation deck booking
- Globe Theatre for Sam Wanamaker Playhouse spring programme
For the summer-peak counterpart (Wimbledon + BST Hyde Park + BBC Proms + Pride), see London July. For the autumn-shoulder (Bonfire Night + Lord Mayor's Show + EFG Jazz Festival + Royal Variety), see London November. For the winter-peak (Winter Wonderland + NYE Thames + Palladium Cinderella + 80th-anniversary Trafalgar Tree), see London December.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's happening in London in March 2027?
The Six Nations final round on Saturday March 13 brings England v Scotland for the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham (4:40pm kick-off; tickets via the RFU ballot, which opens the September before). Mother's Day UK is early, on Sunday March 7, so book prix-fixe menus 4-6 weeks ahead. St Patrick's Day is Wednesday March 17, with the Mayor's parade and Trafalgar Square festival usually on the nearest Sunday. Easter lands at the end of the month (Good Friday March 26 to Easter Monday March 29), and British Summer Time begins on Easter Sunday, March 28, when the clocks go forward from 1am to 2am. The Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race is in April in 2027 (Sunday April 11).
When is the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race 2027?
Sunday April 11, 2027, with races at 3:40pm and 4:40pm (theboatrace.org), so it falls in April rather than March this time; the 2026 race was on Saturday March 28. The course is a 6.8km stretch of the Thames between Putney Bridge and Mortlake, and around 250,000 people watch for free. Best free viewing spots: Putney Bridge embankment (start), Hammersmith Bridge (about halfway) and Chiswick Bridge (finish; less crowded). Prime Embankment positions fill hours before the start, and 2027 marks a hundred years since the first Women's Boat Race.
How much does London cost in March 2027?
A step up from February but below the April-May spring peak. Budget travellers £65-100/day (hostels £25-40/night; free museums; Tube daily cap £8.90; market lunches £8-15; pub dinners £18-28). Mid-range £160-280/day (3-star hotels £120-200/night; restaurant meals £30-60pp; theatre tickets £40-95). Luxury £450-1,500/day (Connaught + Claridge’s + Savoy + Ritz £450-2,000/night). The Six Nations weekend (Sat Mar 13) and the Easter weekend (Mar 26-29) push hotels 40-60% over baseline. TfL: the Zone 1-2 daily cap (£8.90) and 7-day cap (£44.70) were frozen through to March 2027, when TfL’s annual fare change usually takes effect, so check the 2027 figures; the bus single is £1.85 from Nov 1, 2026. Congestion Charge £18 since Jan 2, 2026. Kew Gardens £23 adult / £9 child; Tower of London £35; Westminster Abbey £30; National Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern and the British Museum are free (2026 prices).
What's the weather like in London in March?
Per UK Met Office Heathrow 1991-2020 normals: highs 9-12°C, lows 3-5°C, ~10 wet days totalling ~50mm. Early March still feels like winter; late March is noticeably milder. Wind is the strongest of any month (skyscraper canyons in the City push the real-feel 5-10°C below forecast). Daylight extends rapidly: sunset moves from about 5:45pm on March 1 to about 6:30pm before the clocks change, then to about 7:30pm once British Summer Time begins (Sunday March 28 in 2027). Pack a waterproof jacket, a warm mid-layer, a compact umbrella and comfortable waterproof shoes; sunshine and showers can alternate within hours.