While we may still face some cold weather yet, March officially marks the first sign of spring. And there are plenty of ways to make the most of this month, whether you decide to enjoy time outdoors, explore new places, or get involved with some of the many fun events and celebrations happening across the UK.
To give you some ideas, we’ve put together a list of 12 things to do and places to visit in the UK in March. From spring flower shows to St Patrick’s Day celebrations, hopefully there’s something for everyone.
1. Have a laugh at Glasgow International Comedy Festival, Glasgow
Dubbed the funniest place in Scotland, Glasgow is known to be one of the best cities for comedy in the UK. And with Glasgow’s International Comedy Festival, it’s not difficult to see why.
The Glasgow International Comedy Festival brings together some of the city’s favourite comedians, along with newcomers, and other performers from across the world.
This year’s festival will run from 13th to 31st March, hosting over 500 events in 45 venues across Glasgow. Some of the top performers include Elaine Smith, Zara Gladman, and Mark Nelson.
Expect everything from hilarious sketches, drag, and improv, to music and family-friendly performances. You can find the full event line-up on the Glasgow Comedy Festival website.
2. Watch The Boat Race, London
The Boat Race is an annual rowing event between crews from Oxford and Cambridge universities.
The first Men’s Boat Race was held in 1829 – and it wasn’t until nearly 100 years later, in 1927, that a female equivalent was created. Today, it’s one of the world’s oldest and most famous amateur sporting events. This year’s race will mark the 78th Women’s Boat Race and 169th Men’s Boat Race.
If you’d like to join the crowds that gather in their thousands to watch The Boat Race, you can find information on how to bag the best spot on The Boat Race website. This year’s race is being held on 30th March.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to join in the fun from home, you can tune in on BBC Sport or livestream the race on YouTube.
3. Discuss your favourite books at Oxford Literary Festival, Oxford
If you love all things literature, you won’t want to miss this year’s lineup at Oxford Literary Festival.
Guests include actress Ruby Wax, politician William Hague, former footballer Nedum Onuoha, and authors Jacqueline Wilson and Val McDermid.
As well as talks and discussions, there’s also a huge range of exciting events and workshops to attend, including walks, library tours, literary dinners, and children’s events.
Oxford Literary Festival will run from 16-24th March 2024. You can find a full event programme here.
If you’re interested in this type of event, York Literature Festival is also running this month (1st-30th March).
Guests include actress Caroline Quentin, historian Iain Dale, and authors Cynthia Murphy and Ian Moore.
You can also attend a panel discussion on how to get published (6th March), an International Women’s Day poetry showcase (8th March), and an audience with food critic and presenter Grace Dent (30th March). You can find a full event programme here.
4. Celebrate St Patrick's Day, UK-wide
Every year, St Patrick’s Day is celebrated on 17th March in honour of Ireland’s patron saint who brought Christianity to the country. This year, it falls on a Sunday, which for many will be cause for celebration.
Whether you’re Irish celebrating your heritage, or simply want an excuse to party, St Patrick’s Day is always fun to get involved in. There are plenty of ways to channel this Irish holiday, with events held across the UK.
St Patrick’s Day festivals, parades, and concerts are taking place across Northern Ireland – including in Belfast, Derry, and Armagh. Across the rest of the UK, Leeds is hosting its own parade, Glasgow has organised a St Patrick’s Day family fun day, and the annual St Patrick’s Day Festival, hosted in Trafalgar Square, will include the best of Irish arts, food, culture, and music – as well as a spectacular parade.
5. Take in the beauty at Falmouth Spring Flower Show, South Cornwall
Nothing marks the beginning of spring better than the blooming of flowers. So, if you’re ready to kickstart the spring season, why not head to the Falmouth spring flower show this March?
This show dates back to 1910 when it was first held by Queen Victoria’s daughter, Princess Helena. Today, you can expect everything from daffodil classes to gorgeous displays of orchids, cacti, camellias, and magnolias. There are also opportunities to learn more about your favourite plants and get gardening tips from experts.
This year, the Falmouth spring flower show will be held on the weekend of 23rd and 24th March – and the good news is that it’s all free to explore.
6. Explore some of England’s coastal path
With the opening of England’s new coastal trail – the King Charles III England Coastal Path – 2023 was branded ‘The Year of the Coast’.
The path was developed by Natural England in partnership with local access authorities and, due to be completed by the end of the year, it will follow the entire coast of England. Spanning around 2,700 miles, this will be the longest coastal path in the world.
The picturesque paths take you along sandy beaches, to coastal towns with fascinating histories, and even past the White Cliffs of Dover.
So, if you fancy getting your walking boots on this spring, why not take a stroll along some of England’s newest coastal paths? You can use this interactive map on the National Trails website to explore which areas of the path are currently complete and open to walkers. You can also keep up to date with the progress of other sections of the coastal path on the government website.
You may also like to check out our article, 7 of the best coastal walks to try in the UK, for more walking inspiration.
7. Meet some canine friends at Crufts, Birmingham
Recognised as the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts is a popular four-day event that celebrates everything canine. So, if you’re a dog lover, you won’t want to miss this one.
At Crufts, you’ll find a range of adorable pedigree breeds, rescues, and crossbreeds all giving their best performances in categories like agility, obedience, flyball, and heelwork to music. And, set across 25 acres, Crufts is packed with over 500 stalls ready to meet every dog owners’ shopping needs.
Various charities working with dogs will also be there, and specialist displays from Medical Detection Dogs and the West Midlands Police Dogs will also take place in the arena.
Across the four days, around eight million television viewers tune in to watch the show from home, while over 20,000 dogs and 150,000 people attend in Birmingham. If you’d like to be one of them, why not experience the magic of Crufts this year? Crufts 2024 will take place from 7th-10th March.
8. Enjoy some Easter-themed events, UK-wide
This year, Easter Sunday falls on 31st March. From egg hunts to parades and chocolate festivals, there’s no shortage of fun-filled Easter events happening across the UK.
For example, in Lyme Regis there’s an Easter Bonnet Parade and The Eden Project in Cornwall has a packed Easter programme full of crafts, games, and a rainforest chocolate trail. There’s an enchanted forest Easter trail at The Jungle in Londonderry, an Easter hunt for the golden egg in Edinburgh, and an Easter Bunny Breakfast in Swansea.
Over 100 National Trust and English heritage properties are also hosting exciting Easter-themed events, including adventure trails and egg hunts that are perfect for all the family. You can browse National Trust and English Heritage Easter events to find one near you.
9. Soak in the atmosphere at Cheltenham Festival, Gloucestershire
Cheltenham racecourse has hosted racing events since 1815. And today, its annual festival remains one of the most popular horse racing events around – drawing crowds from all over the UK.
Whether you’re a first-time goer or a horse racing expert, Cheltenham Festival offers an experience like no other. Over the four-day festival, there are a total of 28 races – including the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup – which sees the best horses, jockeys, and trainers go head to head.
This year, Cheltenham Festival will run from 12th-15th March.
If you’d like to extend your trip, why not make a staycation out of it in the nearby Cotswolds?
Aside from the excitement of the races, with so many beautiful walks to enjoy, gardens to visit, and traditional pubs to relax in, March in the Cotswolds is wonderful. Check out our article, 7 of the best places to visit in the Cotswolds, for inspiration on where to go.
10. Get tasting at the Swansea Street Food Festival, Swansea
From 29th March-1st April, 30 of the UK’s top street food vendors will be cooking up a storm in Museum Park at the Swansea Street Food Festival. Whether you consider yourself a foodie or simply enjoy indulging in lots of tasty food, this should make a fun day out.
Each vendor serves a different cuisine, so you can discover new foods and enjoy mouth-watering flavours from across the world. Expect everything from Uzbek to Mexican, Thai to Indian, and burgers to seafood. This means that no matter what your dietary requirements or taste preferences are, you’ll hopefully find something delicious to tuck in to.
Along with live music and DJs, market stalls, and plenty of drinks on offer, you can look forward to a weekend filled with entertainment and good food. Plus, the festival has a focus on sustainability and every adult ticket comes with a fun reusable cup.
11. Lookout for spring blossom, UK-wide
The appearance of blossom is a sure sign that spring has arrived, and from cherry to magnolia blossom, there are many different varieties to lookout for.
If you’re not sure where you can find blossom near you, the National Trust has created a guide to the best places to spot different types of blossom. For example, the cherry trees at Greys Court in Oxfordshire start to blossom towards the end of March, as do the magnolias at Blickling Estate in Norfolk.
Springtime is also a great opportunity to get your camera out as blossom, daffodils, bluebells, and emerging wildlife all make beautiful photography subjects. Why not check out our beginner’s guide to photography if you’d like to get started, or try one of these photography projects?
12. Indulge at York Chocolate Festival, York
Attendance at the York Chocolate Festival is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth this March.
Known by many as the Chocolate City, York has been sharing delicious sweet treats with its visitors for centuries – producing classics like Terry’s Chocolate Orange, KitKat, and Rowntree’s.
With workshops, stalls, tasting events, and demos from local traders, chocolatiers, and chefs, York Chocolate Festival is the perfect place to enjoy a bit of indulgence.
This year, the festival will run from 27th-31st March. The event is free, with optional paid-for sessions available.
Final thoughts…
Many of us will be feeling excited that spring is just around the corner. And the good news is that whatever your interests, there are plenty of ways to make the most of this month.
For further reading, head over to the art and culture or travel sections of our website. Here you’ll find everything from fun days out in the UK to must-see National Trust sites and film set locations you can visit.
We’re also running a variety of events throughout March over on Rest Less Events. There’s everything from weekly Pilates classes to a series on music through the ages and a four-week portrait drawing course.
What plans do you have for March? Have any of the events or ideas on our list sparked your interest? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!