Visiting London in March
Are you considering a visit to London in March but are wondering what it’s like? Are you wondering how cold it gets and what to wear? Whatever you want to know about visiting London in March, we’ve got answers for you to help you decide whether it’s a good month to take a holiday or short break with your family.
Is London busy in March?
London can get busy in March. In many years at least some of the UK two week Easter holidays falls within March. That isn’t the case in 2025 and so March may be quieter than some years. Outside of any school holidays, London will start to get busier with tourists than January and February as the weather is generally expected to be a bit better.
Is London cheap in March?
Other than during Easter holidays (if they fall in March), accommodation is likely to be slightly cheaper than in peak seasons as tourist demand is a little lower than peak times.
What is the weather like in London in March?
Although you might expect that March would mark the beginning of a move into Spring and milder days, the weather in London is highly unpredictable. Some years the weather is very mild and pleasant, whereas other years it can still be very cold and inclement. By way of example, in 2018 the first week of March saw ‘the Beast from the East’, a week of freezing cold temperatures, with snow and ice on the ground that didn’t melt. Although that was highly unusual for London, it’s an example of how you should watch the weather forecasts carefully and plan for a trip to London accordingly.
In general though, the weather towards the end of March can usually be expected to be a bit better than that at the start of the month. Be prepared for rain, but rainy days are less common than dry days.
How cold is it in London in March?
In March 2024, the average temperature was 9 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperatures being 18 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperatures being -2 degrees Celsius.
In March 2024, the average temperature was 7 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperatures being 17 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperatures being -4 degrees Celsius.
In March 2022, the average temperature was 9 degrees Celsius, with the highest temperatures being 20 degrees Celsius and the lowest temperatures being -2 degrees Celsius.
What to wear in London during March?
As can be seen from the above, you should be prepared with clothing that will protect you from the cold and the rain.
It might be tempting to pack a single thick padded winter coat for your trip and on the coldest days, this may be very welcome. However, you may find this is too much on warmer days. Rather than one bulky coat, it may be preferable to pack lots of different options that you can layer depending on the weather on any particular day. This will help you deal not only with changes in the weather, but changes in your activities throughout the day – although it may be cold outside, the Tube and indoor venues such as museums can get very warm. Don’t forget a waterproof outer layer, in windy weather umbrellas are often useless and so it’s best to have a waterproof coat with hood.
Although it may be rainy at times during March, it isn’t really necessary to have shoes that are specifically waterproof. A regular pair of trainers or shoes (perhaps with added waterproofing spray) will usually be sufficient as long as you can keep your kids from jumping in puddles!
When does the sun rise in London in March?
At the start of March the sun will rise at 6.45am. By the end of March, the sun rises at just after 6.35am. While this might not seem much earlier, the clocks change at the end of March, moving an hour forward.
When does the sun set in London in March?
At the start of March the sun sets at 5.41pm and by the end of March it sets around 7.30pm. This big jump is accounted for by the aforementioned clock change.
What is there to do in London in March?
There is plenty to do in London in March. The longer daylight hours (particularly at the end of the month offer a great opportunity to see as much as you can in London).
St Patrick’s Day falls within March and there is an annual parade and event in Trafalgar Square.
In years when Easter falls in March, there will be lots of family activities on during the school holidays for you and your family to partake in.
Check out our post on ideas of free things to do in London in March 2025 and our post on free things to do with kids in London.
Summary – Is March a good time to visit London?
Advantages of visiting London in March
- Fewer tourists compared to summer months;
- Accommodation is likely to be cheaper than at peak times; and
- If visiting in a year when the Easter holidays fall in March, you can expect lots of special activities at various attractions for kids.
Disadvantages of visiting London in March
- Days are still relatively short for most of the month; and
- Colder than many other months.