March is on the way and with it the happy feeling that - at the end of the month - the clocks will spring forward, we’ll all get some more daylight hours and (with luck) a little bit of sunshine too.
London is a beautiful place year round, but when you see meaning all of us Londoners will be getting more daylight hours, a little sunshine (hopefully!) and slightly warmer temperatures. Our city is wonderful at any time of the year but when you see crocuses and daffodils poking through the soil on Hampstead Heath or Regents Park, it’s a very good feeling!
Whether you’re a theatre buff (and here for the incredible stage performances), a fan of live music (jazz, classical, rock, folk…the capital has it all) a foodie (from street markets to Michelin star eateries) a culture vulture (you’d need weeks to work your way through London’s world-famous museums and galleries) or just around for the shopping opportunities (need we elaborate?), there’s no better city than ours.
So if you are seeking inspiration for fun things to do in our amazing city this March, then here are some ideas from us to make your trip truly memorable.
1. St Patrick's Day Celebrations - 17th March, across London
This annual event, held every year on March 17th, celebrates the famous Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. All across the world, wherever there are Irish communities, you can be sure that there will be festivities and London is no exception.
Two days earlier, it will all be kicking off with a huge St. Patrick’s Day Parade in central London, beginning at Hyde Park Corner and ending at Trafalgar Square. Expect floats, dance troupes, marching bands and plenty of people dressed in traditional ‘Shamrock’ green, not to mention lots of street food.
On the big day itself, head to one of the many Irish pubs in the capital, for an evening of singing, merriment, pints of Guinness and perhaps a plate of the famed Irish corned beef and cabbage. Prepare to be exhausted/hungover the following morning!
2. ‘Romeo and Juliet' at the Harold Pinter theatre - opens 16th March
Shakespeare's great romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, is heading to the West End for a limited run of three months and this is really a production worth seeing.
Starring Sadie Sink (‘Stranger Things’) and Noah Jupe (making his professional theatre debut, after his rise to fame in the recent Hamnet), the stage is set in Verona on a summer's day, where two starstruck lovers meet…and, yes, we all know the ending!
There's nothing quite like an evening enjoying West End theatre and the Pinter Theatre is a wonderful and intimate venue for this play. Afterwards, enjoy supper at one of the many restaurants in Piccadilly, take a walk in Chinatown or just grab a drink at one of the many fantastic bars that you’ll find in Soho.
3. “Gipsy Kings’ Concert, Royal Albert Hall, 9th March
Founded in 1979 in Provence, France, this band of Catalan musicians shot to fame with their music - a mixture of flamenco salsa, pop and Catalan Rumba - decades ago. Apparently, they haven’t lost their mojo because they’re on tour in the UK this March and on the ninth of the month will be rocking up at the Royal Albert Hall for a night of pulsating music.
Putting on the Gipsy Kings at a party always gets things going, but this concert promises to be spectacular - the vibe, the iconic vocals and the venue itself (the Royal Albert Hall has amazing acoustics and can seat over 5,000). The crowd are bound to be dancing, singing and clapping along and whether you’re a diehard fan or just hearing them live for the first time, this will be a treat.
And if you’ve time to spare before, take some time to walk in nearby Hyde Park, grab a bite to eat in swanky South Kensington or check out Museum Mile, which is a short bus or tube journey away.
4. David Hockney at the Serpentine Gallery - opens 12th March
One of the most defining and influential figures of the British Pop Art era, David Hockney’s works are widely recognised the world over - particularly the brightly-coloured and evocative images of Southern California - as well as intimate portraits of his friends family and lovers,
Now, for the first time ever, he’s showing his work at the Serpentine Gallery in Hyde Park. Visitors will be able to see ‘A Year in Normandie’ for themselves - his celebrated 90-metre long frieze, which was inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry. Hockney previously had a studio in that part of France, and this exhibition showcases some new paintings, all which deal with the subject of simple beauty.
The Serpentine Gallery is free to enter, and afterwards you can take a stroll through one of London’s most famous parks, today home to Kensington Gardens, Rotten Row, Speaker’s Corner, and a beautiful boating lake.
5. Mindfulness and Awe Walk on Hampstead Heath - 8th March
Feeling overwhelmed by the busy pace of life? Exhausted by constant phone calls, social media notifications and the non-stop ‘connectivity’ of daily existence? Then what you need is to head to north London for a Mindfulness and Awe walk on Hampstead Heath.
A long walk in nature is fantastic at the best of times, but particularly when you're not connected. This is a phone free mindfulness walk, giving you a chance to reconnect with yourself and the nature you’ll see all around you and appreciate the beauty in calm and tranquillity.
Hampstead Heath is one of those glorious green spaces in London that's beautiful at any time of the year, and as the walk will be conducted in silence there will be plenty of time to get to know your fellow walkers afterwards over a cup of coffee and a chat.
Finally, if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in London, we’re happy to welcome you to beautiful Hampstead and our family-run hotel in the leafy north of the city, where our family-owned and family-run guest accommodation is going strong after quite a few decades.
We offer competitive rates, a warm and personal welcome and our famous cappuccino (made by our beloved general manager!) To book a room directly, either go to our website or give us a call on 020 7435-8965.
We look forward to meeting you!