March is a Fenland market town in Cambridgeshire where the old course of the River Nene winds through the centre, past riverside gardens, colourful narrowboats, and a centuries-old market square. The town's crown jewel is St Wendreda's Church, home to one of England's finest medieval angel roofs: roughly 118 carved oak angels gazing down from a double hammerbeam ceiling that dates to the early 1500s. Beyond the church, March serves as a quiet base for exploring the flat, open landscape of the Fens, with birdwatching reserves, waterway cruises, and easy rail connections to Ely, Cambridge, and Peterborough.
The best time to visit March is early June through late September, when long daylight hours and the warmest temperatures of the year open up the town's outdoor appeal. June brings the annual March Summer Festival in West End Park, with live music, food vendors, and family activities, plus market days feel liveliest during this stretch. If you'd rather avoid peak visitor numbers (June is the busiest month), aim for September, when the Fenland countryside takes on an early autumn glow and crowds thin out noticeably while temperatures remain pleasant.
Spring in March, the United Kingdom
Spring arrives slowly on the Fens. March mornings can still bite in early March and April, with lows dropping to 40.4°F (4.7°C), so layer up for those early riverside strolls along the Nene. By May the flat landscape greens up considerably, and the twice-weekly market on Broad Street starts filling with local produce and flowers. The Nene Washes and nearby reserves come alive with breeding waders and waterfowl as the season progresses, making this a rewarding stretch for birdwatchers.
Afternoons warm to highs of 58.7°F (14.8°C) on average across the season, comfortable enough for walking the path from the Town Bridge down to West End Park or making the short trip south to St Wendreda's Church to admire that remarkable angel roof. Rain is fairly unlikely, with only about two to four wet days per month, and April is one of the driest months of the year. Visitor numbers pick up through the season, reaching near-peak levels by late May around the bank holiday weekends, so book ahead if you're visiting over the Spring Bank Holiday.
Daylight stretches rapidly: by May the sun doesn't set until nearly 9pm, giving you plenty of time to explore the Fenland waterways by canoe or narrowboat in the evening light. A waterproof jacket and a warm fleece are all you need for most spring days here.
Summer in March, the United Kingdom
Summer is when March feels most alive. The March Summer Festival, typically held over a weekend in June, takes over West End Park with live bands, a dance tent, food stalls, a farmers' market, and vintage car displays. It's the town's biggest community event and a genuine draw if your dates line up. Beyond the festival, the Skylark Giant Maize Maze opens for the season, and canoe and narrowboat hire operators run steadily along the Nene. This is also the busiest period for visitors: June sees peak numbers, and accommodation tends to cost more than usual.
Seasonal highs average 71.4°F (21.9°C), with early August pushing to peak warmth of 74.3°F (23.5°C) and lows of 54°F (12.2°C). Summer is the wettest season overall, with roughly three to five days of showers each month, though rain rarely lasts long enough to ruin an afternoon on the water. The flat Fenland landscape means there's little shelter from sun on open walks, so a hat and sunscreen are smart additions to your bag. Evenings stretch gloriously: in June the sun lingers past 9pm, perfect for a pint in a riverside beer garden as boats drift by.
For a day trip, Ely and its magnificent cathedral sit a short train ride south, and Cambridge is easily reachable for punting and college-hopping. Back in March, the Wednesday and Saturday markets keep running through summer with stalls selling locally grown fruit, baked goods, and Fenland specialties.
Fall in March, the United Kingdom
As September opens, the Fens take on a softer character. Visitor numbers drop noticeably, accommodation rates come down, and the flat horizons produce striking autumn light for photographers. The twice-weekly market continues, and St Wendreda's Church sees far fewer visitors, meaning you're more likely to have that extraordinary angel roof to yourself. September still sits within the ideal visiting window, with pleasant conditions for walking or cycling the Fenland paths.
Highs average 59.9°F (15.5°C) across the season, with lows settling to 44.6°F (7°C) as November approaches. Expect a few wet days each month, and pack accordingly: a waterproof shell and warm mid-layer will handle most conditions. The Ouse Washes begin to fill with wintering wildfowl by late October and into November, with thousands of ducks and swans arriving, so birdwatchers with binoculars will find plenty to observe. Daylight contracts steadily; by November, sunset falls before 4:10pm, limiting what you can fit into an outdoor day.
Specialist markets, including French and Italian themed market days, are scattered through the autumn calendar and add variety to the regular Wednesday and Saturday stalls. This is a good season to pair a quiet stay in March with day trips to Peterborough or Cambridge before the winter chill sets in.
Winter in March, the United Kingdom
Winter in March is stark. The flat Fenland landscape offers no shelter from cold winds, and highs average just 46.3°F (7.9°C) with lows reaching 34.2°F (1.2°C). Snow is possible; the town typically sees its snowiest conditions between late January and early March, with a couple of inches of accumulation on the ground. Daylight is limited to under eight hours by mid-December, so plan any outdoor activity for the middle of the day. February is the quietest month for visitors, and some seasonal attractions are closed entirely.
That said, winter has its draws if you're in the area. The Ouse Washes are at their best for birdwatching, with huge flocks of wigeon, teal, and whooper swans overwintering on the flooded fields. The Christmas lights switch-on transforms the Market Place in early winter, and a Christmas-themed market adds some seasonal warmth to the shopping scene. St Wendreda's Church is still visitable by arrangement with the churchwardens, and the carved angels look particularly dramatic in low winter light filtering through the clerestory windows.
Wet days come two to four times a month, so a proper waterproof coat and warm boots are essential. If you're visiting over the Christmas or New Year period, check local opening times carefully, as shops, museums, and pubs may keep reduced hours. Fossils Galore and the March Museum offer indoor options on the coldest days.
At a Glance
Monthly weather, visitor crowds, air quality, holidays, and daylight hours to help you plan your trip.
Travel Tips & Safety for March, the United Kingdom
March has a railway station on the Ely to Peterborough line, with direct services to Cambridge, Peterborough, and Norwich. By car, the A141 and A47 provide straightforward access, and parking in the town centre is plentiful and largely free. The town is compact enough to explore on foot once you arrive, though St Wendreda's Church sits about a 15-minute walk south of the Market Place.
March is a safe, quiet town with few concerns for visitors. The main practical consideration is the flat, exposed Fenland landscape: wind and weather arrive with little warning, so carry a light waterproof layer even on seemingly clear days. If you plan to walk the Nene Washes or other wetland paths, wear proper footwear, as trails can be muddy and waterlogged, especially from autumn through spring.