UK weather in March 2024

Discover the UK's weather in March. As well as sharing the average temperatures at popular destinations, we've handpicked a list of the top 10 places to go in the UK in March for anyone planning a holiday or day trip in early spring.

  • 10°C maximum daytime temperature in March in UK (London)10
    10°C max day temperature
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • 14 days with some rainfall in March in UK (London)14
    14 days with some rainfall
  • 3°C minimum night-time temperature in March in UK (London)3
    3°C min night temperature
  • 12 hours of daylight per day in March in UK (London)12
    12 hours of daylight per day
  • No heat & humidity in March in UK (London)0
    No heat & humidity
  • 49 mm monthly rainfall in March in UK (London)49
    49 mm of monthly rainfall
  • UV (maximum) index 2 (Low) in March in UK (London)2
    2 (Low) UV index

More about the UK

UK by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Recommended for the UK

  • Save up to £700 per couple on escorted tours in 2024
  • £400 off Europe, £600 off USA & Canada & £700 off long haul
  • Travel before 31st December 2024 (inclusive)

Expires at 23:59 on Thursday 4th Apr 2024 · View all Cosmos offers

CosmosTour deal finder

The March weather guide for UK (London) shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia), the Met Office & the Netherlands Meteorological Institute. Find out more about our data sources.

Top UK destinations

UK regions

All UK regions

All UK destinations

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  

A

Back to A-Z

B

Back to A-Z

C

Back to A-Z

D

Back to A-Z

E

Back to A-Z

F

Back to A-Z

G

Back to A-Z

H

Back to A-Z

I

Back to A-Z

K

Back to A-Z

L

Back to A-Z

M

Back to A-Z

N

Back to A-Z

O

Back to A-Z

P

Back to A-Z

R

Back to A-Z

S

Back to A-Z

T

Back to A-Z

U

Back to A-Z

W

Back to A-Z

Y

Back to A-Z

Metric (°C / mm)  |  Imperial (°F / inches)

Back to top

Top 10 places to go in the UK in March

Let's face it - no one takes a break in the UK in March exclusively for the weather. However, there are plenty of destinations, be they urban or more rural, where, if you're willing to pack a poncho and a positive attitude, you could enjoy some seasonal sunshine ripe for exploring.

  1. Bognor Regis, West Sussex
  2. Isle of Wight
  3. St Davids, Wales
  4. Eastbourne, East Sussex
  5. St Ives, Cornwall
  6. Weymouth, Dorset
  7. Salcombe, Devon
  8. Bristol, Somerset
  9. Oxford, Oxfordshire
  10. Dundee, Scotland
Felpham Beach, Bognor Regis, West Sussex
Felpham Beach, Bognor Regis, West Sussex © Tomasz - Adobe Stock Image

1. Bognor Regis, West Sussex, England

For a taste of a traditional seaside resort, stripy deckchairs and all, look no further than the shingle shoreline of Bognor Regis. This quintessentially south-coast retreat, the home of Butlins no less, has welcomed those after fresh sea air and ice creams for more than 200 years.

What's more, Bognor Regis tops our list of places to go in March thanks to the (albeit still limited) sunshine that can be found here in early spring, although layers and waterproof are advised and ensure you'll be able to make the most of the town's attractions.

For a whiff of seaside nostalgia, stroll on the Victorian Pier, while the near-three-mile-long promenade offers uninterrupted sea views backed by period architecture. Local sights include the Bognor Regis Museum and 18th-century Hotham House, whose grounds host a boating lake where pedalos can be hired.

Take your binoculars to RSPB Pagham Harbour Local Nature Reserve. Its salt marshes, mudflats, lagoons, reed beds and beaches make it a delightful place to experience the varied landscapes, birdlife and wildlife that can be seen in the region.

Looking beyond Bognor Regis, the South Downs National Park is a mere 20-minute drive away, while the Roman city of Chichester and the maritime heartland of historic Portsmouth are also within easy reach. Then there's buzzing Brighton, which makes a very doable day out.

Bognor Regis in March

  • Usually 9°C maximum daytime temperature in Bognor Regis in March9
    9°C max daytime temperature
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Usually 15 days with some rainfall in Bognor Regis in March15
    15 days with some rainfall
  • 62 mm monthly rainfall in Bognor Regis in March62
    62 mm monthly rainfall

About Bognor Regis >>

Back to list

2. Isle of Wight, England

Set sail across the Solent and in as little as 22 minutes you'll be stepping onto England's largest island, the Isle of Wight. It's been attracting tourists since Victorian times, including Queen Victoria herself, so it certainly knows a thing or two about entertaining holidaymakers.

The isle enjoys some typical spring weather in March with the odd shower. It's also far quieter than in the following spring and summer months.

What makes it special is its eclectic mix of natural and historic attractions. It's a playground for outdoor activities - we're talking hiking - pick from more than 500 miles of footpaths including themed walks - horse riding - some 165 miles of bridleways - paragliding, sea kayaking, fossil hunting, sailing and visiting the numerous award-winning beaches, to name a few.

Don't miss Alum Bay's famous chalky sea stacks, best seen via The Needle Landmark Attraction, a chairlift that sweeps you down the cliff for a real bird's eye view. Meanwhile, the UK's oldest theme park, Blackgang Chine, is a fantastic family day out and historic Cowes is more than worth a wander.

The Isle of Wight is also a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which means it sits under some of the darkest skies in the UK and is the place to try your eyes at stargazing.

Isle of Wight in March

  • Usually 10°C maximum daytime temperature in Isle of Wight in March10
    10°C max daytime temperature
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Usually 15 days with some rainfall in Isle of Wight in March15
    15 days with some rainfall
  • 63 mm monthly rainfall in Isle of Wight in March63
    63 mm monthly rainfall

About Isle of Wight >>

Back to list

3. St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales

Book your trip to the UK's smallest city to experience a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Located within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the ancient city of St Davids, named after the patron saint of Wales, makes a wonderful base from which to discover everything this corner of southwest Wales, renowned for its astonishing natural beauty, has to offer.

A holiday to St Davids in March is much like others listed here, in that days are bright but you'll need layers for changeable conditions and a waterproof for any spring showers. It's also pleasingly quiet at this time of year, so no contending with coach loads of other tourists.

Getting out into the fresh Welsh air is easy from St Davids: the nearby Pembrokeshire Coast Path, part of the Wales Coast Path, is a splendid way to traverse the rocky shore passing beautiful beaches and bays.

Fancy staying in the national park? Check out the latest deals from Bluestone Wales, a dedicated resort in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Speaking of which, Pembrokeshire is the proud owner of countless award-winning beaches and, as such, draws many water sports enthusiasts for its surfing, as well as sea kayaking and coasteering. In fact, it's said that Whitesands Bay, about two miles west of St Davids, offers the best surfing in the region.

In the city, the cathedral demands particular attention with parts dating from the 12th century. Then there are the magnificent medieval ruins of St Davids Bishop's Palace, one of the most important Christian sites in Wales.

St Davids in March

  • Usually 9°C maximum daytime temperature in St Davids in March9
    9°C max daytime temperature
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Usually 18 days with some rainfall in St Davids in March18
    18 days with some rainfall
  • 73 mm monthly rainfall in St Davids in March73
    73 mm monthly rainfall

About St Davids >>

Back to list

4. Eastbourne, East Sussex

The coastal seaside town of Eastbourne developed significantly throughout the 19th century with tourism at its core. As such, Eastbourne is inescapably Victorian in its architecture, from the seafront houses, promenade and pier to the bandstand.

There are older sites of interest including the impressive Eastbourne Redoubt, a Napoleonic-era fort, which today acts as an informative museum with a huge collection of military artefacts. The Eastbourne Heritage Museum, meanwhile, is where you'll unearth maps, stories and local curiosities, while Carpet Gardens retains every sense of Victorian floral splendour.

The town is also dotted with numerous Blue Plaques, which makes for an interesting walking trail - don't miss the first plaque to have been installed on a house where Ernest Shackleton lived from 1916 to 1922.

Looking beyond Eastbourne, there are many options when it comes to stretching those legs on a fine spring day. From the South Downs National Park to Seven Sisters Country Park including the giant white cliffs and Beachy Head Lighthouse, there are inland and coastal walks for all interest and abilities.

What's more, the bright lights of Brighton are tantalisingly close or a fun-filled day (or night?) out.

Eastbourne in March

  • Usually 9°C maximum daytime temperature in Eastbourne in March9
    9°C max daytime temperature
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Usually 15 days with some rainfall in Eastbourne in March15
    15 days with some rainfall
  • 62 mm monthly rainfall in Eastbourne in March62
    62 mm monthly rainfall

About Eastbourne >>

Back to list

Seeking the sun? Discover the sunniest places in the UK all year round (spoiler: Eastbourne takes top spot!)

5. St Ives, Cornwall, England

Once synonymous with the fishing industry, today glorious St Ives on Cornwall's north coast is a favourite with holidaymakers. Its low-lying cottages give way to beaches overlooked by the tiny granite chapel of St Nicholas atop the promontory known, somewhat misleadingly, as The Island of St Ives.

St Ives, Cornwall England
St Ives, Cornwall England © Boris Stroujko - Adobe Stock Image

Although March serves up some typically spring weather, showers included, if you pack accordingly, there's much to do and be enjoyed about visiting at this time of year, starting with the quieter, more laid back pace compared with the summer months.

The St Ives Museum is where you get to know the roots of this seaside charmer while St Ives' artistic legacy is on show at Tate St Ives, Barbara Hepworth Museum & Sculpture Gardens and The Leach Pottery, which hosts an exhibition detailing the life of the great ceramics' artist.

As for anyone wanting to get active, there's the South West Coast Path which loops past St Ives in both directions, as well as lots of walking trails to neighbouring towns such as Carbis Bay and Lelant. Nearby RSPB Hayle Estuary is waving goodbye to its wintering wetland birds in March, while a cruise out to Seal Island is the ideal day trip (from late March).

St Ives in March

  • Usually 10°C maximum daytime temperature in St Ives in March10
    10°C max daytime temperature
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Usually 19 days with some rainfall in St Ives in March19
    19 days with some rainfall
  • 98 mm monthly rainfall in St Ives in March98
    98 mm monthly rainfall

About St Ives >>

Back to list

6. Weymouth, Dorset, England

Weymouth is located along England's Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site much-loved for its geology including white chalky cliffs, rock formations, fossils and pebbly beaches.

The heart of Weymouth is its ancient harbour, lined with fine Georgian houses. Here, watching the world go by is made easy thanks to many private yachts, lifeboats and fishing trawlers. It's also where you'll find wonderfully fresh seafood in waterside bistros and really get a feel for this popular town.

Daytimes in Weymouth in March are light with increasing sunshine and perfectly pleasant if you're armed with the right clothing. Quieter than in the summer months, it's a good time to get out and about whether that's walking along its huge sandy beach, trekking the South West Coast Path or visiting the Isle of Portland and the sea arch of nearby Durdle Door.

Twitchers should head to RSPB Radipole Lake and RSPB Lodmoor where, in March, it's a great time to spy, among many other species, marsh harriers 'sky dancing' and male Cetti's warblers getting territorial as they prepare for the breeding season.

Meanwhile, history lovers should investigate the timings for visiting Tyneham, a village abandoned in 1943 and frozen in time, while The Tank Museum at Bovington is where you'll see the world's finest collection of tanks - a thrill for any big-toy enthusiast.

Weymouth in March

  • Usually 10°C maximum daytime temperature in Weymouth in March10
    10°C max daytime temperature
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Usually 16 days with some rainfall in Weymouth in March16
    16 days with some rainfall
  • 69 mm monthly rainfall in Weymouth in March69
    69 mm monthly rainfall

About Weymouth >>

Back to list

7. Salcombe, Devon, England

Scenic Salcombe sits at the mouth of the Kingsbridge Estuary within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is, quite simply, the stuff of UK holiday dreams. No great secret, it's long attracted tourists to its pretty port.

The soft sand beaches and clear water are added bonuses but, in March, when the weather is bright and, although temperatures are starting to increase they remain relatively low, you're more likely to be admiring these than planning a day at the seaside.

There are, however, plenty of other things to do: lace up your hiking boots for a trek along the South West Coast Path, which offers an invigorating day out and splendid sea views. Activities include sailing, paddleboarding (wetsuit optional!) or taking the sea tractor at high tide over to Burgh Island and inspecting the resident art deco hotel.

There are indy boutiques, galleries and gift shops while your tastebuds will enjoy everything from the freshest seafood to pints of Salcombe Brewery Co and reviving G&Ts with Salcombe Gin.

Another benefit of visiting Salcombe in March is that it is far quieter than during late spring and throughout summer. It's a time when you can really make the most of its natural attraction without contending with quite the same crowds, you'll just need a few more layers and waterproof in tow.

Salcombe in March

  • Usually 10°C maximum daytime temperature in Salcombe in March10
    10°C max daytime temperature
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Usually 16 days with some rainfall in Salcombe in March16
    16 days with some rainfall
  • 106 mm monthly rainfall in Salcombe in March106
    106 mm monthly rainfall

About Salcombe >>

Back to list

8. Bristol, Somerset, England

The southwest city of Bristol has very much upped-and-arrived in recent years, capitalising on its incredible maritime history and contemporary art scene. Today, Bristol is the capital of cool with flourishing independent shops and cafés as well as famed street art and museums charting its story from Roman port to main departure point for voyages to the New World.

Start at M Shed, which journeys through Bristol from prehistoric to current times before heading to engineering legend Isambard Kingdom Brunel's groundbreaking 19th-century passenger steamer SS Great Britain.

Don't miss the magnificent Clifton Suspension Bridge, museum and observatory and do take a Banksy walking tour to see the city's revered resident's work in situ. For a bit of sea air, step aboard The Matthew, a replica of the 1497 ship that first set western eyes on Newfoundland, for an easy-going harbour cruise before refuelling at The Harbourside Street Food Market.

Bristol's location and accessibility makes it a handy gateway further afield too: there's Somerset - beautiful Bath is a mere 13 miles away and can be reached on two wheels along a dedicated cycle route - Gloucestershire and South Wales across the Severn Estuary.

Bristol in March

  • Usually 10°C maximum daytime temperature in Bristol in March10
    10°C max daytime temperature
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Usually 16 days with some rainfall in Bristol in March16
    16 days with some rainfall
  • 72 mm monthly rainfall in Bristol in March72
    72 mm monthly rainfall

About Bristol >>

Back to list

9. Oxford, Oxfordshire, England

Oxford is a small city that keeps on giving. Its spire-studded skyline alludes to the historic tales that linger within its university walls, down its ancient alleyways and swirling inside tiny courtyards. In many ways, Oxford is a living museum, the ornate buildings spanning countless periods testament to its longevity.

When it comes to the weather in March, Oxford sees less rainfall than the likes of St Ives and Salcombe, although the amount of sunshine is, as you might expect, still on the low side.

Which is why, if you choose to go to Oxford in March, set aside plenty of time for museum hopping. Head to Oxford University Museum of Natural History and associated archaeological finds of the Pitt Rivers Museum as well as The Ashmolean, which houses one of the finest collections of art and antiquities in the UK.

You can also book college tours, step inside Oxford Castle Museum, see the daffodils and crocuses at the Oxford Botanic Gardens & Arboretum and grab a coffee while browsing the indy shops in the covered market. Whatever takes you there, be it the history, the university, the architecture, the cosy olde worlde pubs or its riverside location, Oxford packs a mighty punch.

Oxford in March

  • Usually 10°C maximum daytime temperature in Oxford in March10
    10°C max daytime temperature
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Usually 16 days with some rainfall in Oxford in March16
    16 days with some rainfall
  • 52 mm monthly rainfall in Oxford in March52
    52 mm monthly rainfall

About Oxford >>

Back to list

10. Dundee, Scotland

Did you know that Dundee was made the UK's first UNESCO City of Design for its contributions to graphic design through comics, digital innovation in video games and medical research? Unsurprisingly, this cultural centre, located on the northern shore of the River Tay on Scotland's east coast, has numerous ways for visitors to explore its fascinating past.

While it may not be the first place you think to visit in March, much like Oxford, Dundee receives less rainfall than many places along the south coast of England and, thanks to its variety of places to visit, there's no shortage of things to see and do.

Among others, the shiny V&A Dundee, which opened in 2018, RRS Discovery, the Dundee-built wooden ship-turned-museum that took Captain Scott, along with Ernest Shackleton and Edward Wilson, so close to the South Pole, The McManus gallery and museum and Verdant Works, a restored mill, which charts Dundee's vast jute production, help to illustrate the city's industrial - and industrious - past.

It's also very well placed to explore the coast including historic St Andrews and inland delights such as 16th-century Glamis Castle and pretty Claypotts Castle, as well as the valleys, forests and towns of Perthshire, through hiking, canoeing, cycling and much more.

Dundee in March

  • Usually 8°C maximum daytime temperature in Dundee in March8
    8°C max daytime temperature
  • 4 hours of sunshine per day
  • Usually 17 days with some rainfall in Dundee in March17
    17 days with some rainfall
  • 50 mm monthly rainfall in Dundee in March50
    50 mm monthly rainfall

About Dundee >>

Back to list

Planning holidays in the UK

About the UK seasons

More about the UK

How warm is it in the UK in March?

Daytime temperatures usually reach 10°C in London, UK in March, falling to 3°C at night.

How sunny is it in the UK in March?

There are normally 4 hours of bright sunshine each day in London, UK in March - that's 29% of daylight hours.

Does it rain in the UK in March?

There are usually 14 days with some rain in London, UK in March and the average monthly rainfall is 49mm.

UK March sunrise & sunset times

Browse the sunrise and sunset times for UK in March 2024. Select a month to view UK sunrise and sunset times for the next 12 months. The UK sunrise and sunset times shown below are for London.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Date Sunrise times Sunset times
Friday, 1st March 2024 06:45 17:42
Saturday, 16th March 2024 06:11 18:08
Sunday, 31st March 2024 06:37* 19:33*

*Daylight saving starts - British Summer Time (BST)

Related posts

Popular travel offers

Explore holidays in the sun for less

Top ^