20 Events Worth Leaving London For This March

Last Updated 13 February 2025

20 Events Worth Leaving London For This March
Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in Lego Bricks opens at the Historic Dockyard Chatham

Fancy getting out of London for a day, but not sure where to head? Here are a few reasons to (temporarily) leave London in March 2025 — a month when several seasonal and outdoor attractions start to reopen for the season.

See our Beyond London section for further inspiration for trips out of London for a day, a weekend or longer.

SOUTHEND CITY DAY: The first ever Southend City Day celebrates the area's recent elevation to city status. Head to the Essex seaside for live entertainment on various stages, and roaming through the streets, as well as community stalls and activities, and food and drink stalls. 1 March (Essex)

FARNHAM LITERARY FESTIVAL: 50 different events involving more than 100 writers, presenters and performers are part of the Farnham Literary Festival programme. Louis de Bernières, Lorraine Kelly, Richard Coles, Nicci French and Santa Montefiore are among the big names scheduled to appear. 6-16 March (Surrey)

OZ DRONE SHOW: As technology improves, we reckon drone shows could be big business in the future. In the meantime, see the Wizard of Oz retold in the sky in a 45-minute performance at the Utilita Bowl Stadium in Southampton. 8 March (Hampshire)

BRICKWRECKS: The Historic Dockyard Chatham hosts Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in Lego Bricks, an exhibition where the stories of real-life shipwrecks are told through intricate, large-scale Lego models designed by Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught. Not familiar with the Dockyard? Read about our visit. 8 March-31 August (Kent)

Get a grip on topics in environment, health and science at Cambridge Festival

THE STORYTELLERS: Light and sound installations wizards Luxmuralis strike again! This time they're at Winchester Cathedral for the world premiere of The Storytellers, which celebrates literary greats such as Shakespeare, as well as shining the light on children's literature. Find other things to see and do in Winchester to make a day or weekend of it. 11-15 March (Hampshire)

RIVERHILL HIMALAYAN GARDENS: Up for stretching your legs? Riverhill Himalayan Gardens near Sevenoaks reopens for the season. There are incredible views over the Kent countryside to be had at the top, but be warned, it's a steep climb to get there. Other attractions include a maze, play area and various gardens to explore. From 12 March (Kent)

CANADIAN PACIFIC LAUNCH: The Canadian Pacific is one of the last surviving Merchant Navy Class locomotives. Built in 1941, it's recently been restored, and Hampshire's Watercress Line hosts a special launch event. Book onto one of its first journeys, enjoy live music, and browse merchandise. 20-23 March (Hampshire)

ORCHID SHOW: RHS Wisley holds its annual Orchid Show, giving you a chance to meet experts, buy your own orchids, and view professional displays of the notoriously tricky plant. 14-16 March. A week later, RHS Wisley holds its Bonsai Show, a similar event with focus on the Japanese miniature trees. Note that there are more weekend closures of J10 of the M25 (which is right next to Wisley) this year, which can cause travel problems, so do check that info when planning your day out. 22-23 March (Surrey)

Visit Riverhill Himalayan Gardens for views over Kent. Photo: Londonist

DOGS AND DAFFS: Leaving London for the day isn't just for humans. Take Fido or Rufus along to the Dogs and Daffs charity walk at Hatfield House for a spring stroll followed by a dog show, raising money for the Riding for the Disabled Association — Digswell Place Group, which offers therapy and enjoyment to disabled people through horse and pony riding. 16 March (Hertfordshire)

CELEBRATION OF SPEEDWAY: The National Speedway Museum at Hertfordshire Zoo hosts a Celebration of Speedway event. Meet former Speedway riders, buy memorabilia, ogle display bikes, and watch pit lane start ups. 16 March (Hertfordshire)

DAZZLING DAFFODILS: The magnificent Hever Castle is expecting almost 90,000 daffodils to bloom across its grounds. Explore them at your own pace, or sign up for a guided tour. 17-23 March. Hever Castle is also currently showcasing some of the costumes from TV show Wolf Hall, (until 2 November), and hosts its first ever plant fair this month too (23 March). (Kent)

DAFFODIL SHOW: This month is promising more daffs than William Wordsworth himself would know what to do with. For another dose of the yellow buds, head to RHS Hyde Hall's Daffodil Show, with hundreds of cut blooms on display in the Hilltop Lodge, and plenty more growing in the garden. 19-20 March (Essex)

The Austen Family household book of recipes goes on display in Southampton

KIMONO EXHIBITION: Collector and expert in Japanese arts, Sachiko Pearce curates an exhibition of kimono and Japanese accessories at Chiddingstone Castle in Kent, which has a whole room of its permanent collection dedicated to artefacts from Japan. If you're lucky, the castle's cherry blossom trees might be in bloom over the same week, and it's worth walking through the trees to the historic village of Chiddingstone next door. 19-30 March (Kent)

CAMBRIDGE FESTIVAL: Organised by the University of Cambridge, The Cambridge Festival is a 17-day showcase featuring nearly 400 events themed around environment, health, society, and discovery. Almost all the events are free, and include talks, debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, tours, performances, workshops, and interactive events, including several for children. 19 March-4 April (Cambridgeshire)

MARS AT THE CASTLE: Another month, another location for out-of-this-world artist Luke Jerram. This time, his scale model of Mars is installed inside Colchester Castle, giving a closer look at the Red Planet using NASA imagery. 20 March-9 May (Essex)

MINI DAY: Start your engines: Brooklands Museum on the London-Surrey border hosts Mini Day, bringing together owners, drivers and fans of the iconic car. Minis of all ages are on display and there's also live music, family activities, and food and drink stalls. While you're there, why not visit the London Bus Museum, on the same site. 23 March (Surrey)

Penshurst Place serves a Mother's Day afternoon tea. Image: Ollie Dixon

VISIT A LOST VILLAGE: Ever heard of the Lost Village of Dode? The intriguing sounding area was destroyed as a result of the Black Death in 1349, and its church abandoned, remaining so until 1901. These days, it's usually only accessible for private events, but there's a rare public open day, with a volunteer on hand to tell you all about it. 23 March (Kent)

OXFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL: There's a seriously impressive programme at Oxford Literary Festival, including Elif Shafak, Joanna Lumley, Alexander Armstrong, Andi Oliver and Simon Armitage, among many others. Several events take place in the city's Sheldonian Theatre, the famous circular building designed by Sir Christopher Wren which is part of the University of Oxford. Fancy. 29 March-6 April (Oxfordshire)

JANE AUSTEN: As we mentioned last month, this year marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of author Jane Austen. Naturally, the Jane Austen Museum in Chawton and her former home in Winchester are holding special events to celebrate, and so too is Southampton's Sea City Museum. The new exhibition focuses on Austen's experiences of living, going to school and celebrating her 18th birthday in Southampton, focusing on her circle of friends in the city, with related objects on display. 29 March-October (Hampshire)

MOTHER'S DAY AFTERNOON TEA: Stumped for somewhere to take your mum on Mother's Day? Whisk her off to the Kent countryside for a one-off afternoon tea served in the private Elizabethan banqueting room at Penshurst Place. It's a chance to visit a part of the historic country manor house which is usually off-limits to the public. The ticket includes access to the rest of the house, garden and grounds, and you could even pop next door and visit the original Leicester Square. 30 March (Kent)

Book now for later in 2025

Yolanda Brown is one of the performers at Henley Festival 2025

HENLEY FESTIVAL: Tickets for this July's Henley Festival are on sale now, with Diana Ross, Rick Astley, McFly, Jamie Cullum and Yolanda Brown just a small section of the impressive music line-up. Comedy's on the bill too: think Ivo Graham, Ed Byrne, Matt Forde... 9-13 July (Oxfordshire)

WINE TOURS: Sparkling wine brand Domaine Evremond has established its vineyard near Chilham in the Kent countryside, with plans to launch tours, tastings and other public events some time this spring. Keep an eye on the website or sign up to the mailing list to be the first in the know.

Further ideas for trips from London

A cow and a pony grazing beneath trees.
Watch out for free-roaming livestock at Burnham Beeches. Photo: Londonist

Our Beyond London section is packed full of ideas for getting out of the capital for the day, or even for a long weekend. Our picks for this month:

  • Keen to blow away the winter cobwebs and get out in the fresh air? Not too far from London you'll find Burnham Beeches, an historic woodland which is owned by the City of London. Watch out for the free-roaming cattle and ponies.
  • If the couple of castles we've mentioned above has got you in the mood for battlements and ramparts, why not visit one of the finest castles Sussex has to offer? From clifftop ruins to sprawling buildings reminisent of Beauty and the Beast, there are plenty to choose from.
  • And if you want to fully commit to St Patrick's Day, how about a weekend trip to Dublin? It'll be rammed (and expensive) over St Paddy's Day itself, so consider visiting either side of 17 March if you can.