March is a special month in Great Britain. We begin to glimpse the spring, the days are getting longer (and here they are really much longer than in Italy, with sunrise at 5 in the morning and the light that lasts until 10.30-11 in the evening in the height of summer) and the sun breaks through the clouds much more often. And then St. Patrick is celebrated, patron saint of very green Ireland (and London is tinged with green) and there is Mother's Day. guide on what to do in March in London. Including free events and a cuddle for mom.
March in London: St. Patrick's Day celebrations
The patron saint of Ireland is celebrated between 17 and 19 March, Saint Patrick. This is a great excuse to pull that green dress you don't dare put on the rest of the year out of the closet, buy yourself a funny hat and party with Guinness. The culmination of the celebrations is al great parade to be held Sunday 19. It starts from Piccadilly Circus and arrives in Trafalgar Square. There are music bands, elaborate costumes, floats and groups dancing typical Irish dances. Once you arrive in the square there will be a great show with choirs, theatrical performances and comic pieces. Also, you will find the tea tent (for a must-have cup of tea) and it street food market. Here you can taste dishes like Irish black pudding, Scotch eggs, Irish fried chicken sarnies (which is the colloquial way of saying sandwiches around here) and Irish beef-burgers.
For the post-parade, try one of the many Irish pubs in London. Everyone organizes something and are strictly in green for the occasion.
Of course, the crowd is guaranteed but the atmosphere is priceless.
March in London: Mother's Day
Il 26 March è Mother's day. Here everyone runs to buy greeting cards and flowers. If you're visiting with your mom, why not pamper her a little. And, why not, make her feel for the first time the thrill of having two Mother's Day parties in just one year? My advice is to take her to an elegant place and offer her a afternoon tea. They are found for all budgets and in all neighborhoods. What will you need? Mini sandwiches with salmon, cucumbers, ham, cheese, tuna and many other ingredients, tastings of victoria sponge (a sort of sponge cake with cream and marmalleta), carrot cake and cheesecake, cupcakes, biscuits and, of course, unlimited tea. The menu varies, as does the quantity and quality of the food. At the moment it is trendy to replace tea with bubbles, including champagne.
To choose the perfect place to take mom, use this site.
March in London: events, concerts and exhibitions
Don't miss this month:
- if you love flowers, go to the Kew Garden Botanical Garden until March 5 India is the protagonist ofOrchid Festival. Admission costs £ 16;
- for those who love cinema and support civil rights, 16 from March to 26 There is the London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival at Southbank. Over 100 films in the program;
- in Camden, a district in north London, crowded with young people on weekends, which hosts an indoor market and many pubs and cafes, from 8 to 10 March Will be held the London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival. Here you can taste over 150 English beers and ciders and more. In addition to alcohol there will also be table games for socializing;
- at the London Film Museum there is one show on James Bond, which even houses the cars driven by 007. At the O2, on the other hand, there are 200 original Star Wars props within an interactive exhibition perfect even for the youngest;
- in March in London you will also have the opportunity to participate in some concerts of the most famous international singers. The ones that follow always stick to O2, like The Weeknd (March 7-8, from £ 75), Drake (March 20, from £ 90) e Craig Davis (March 25-26, from £ 47,50);
- from March 1st, at Doon Street Car Park on Southbank, the artist Lego Nathan Sawaya exhibits a new exhibition on superheroes built with the famous bricks (the first one, three years ago, had caused a sensation).
March in London: see the city from above for free
One of my favorite activities to do in London is definitely there see the city from above. The famous skyscraper designed by Renzo Piano, lo Shard, allows you to get up to the 72nd floor, Admission costs a lot: £ 15,95 if you book online, more than £ 20 if you buy it on the spot.
Then I recommend to fall back on another building a little lower (37 floors), also in the center, which is called The Razor by locals and is located on Fenchurch Avenue. Here the entrance is free. Places are limited and the visit must be booked in time. Once you have passed security (and remember to bring a photo ID) and made the very fast ascent in the lift you will find yourself in the this site, A large lounge with botanical garden suspended over London. Outside there is a terrace for looking at the city (and all its best known monuments and buildings). Although after a couple of hours you should get off and give way to subsequent visitors, I'm not always loyal. I usually stay a while longer to enjoy a cappuccino and a muffin (good) sitting on the sofas. In addition to the bar there is also a bistro, a bit expensive, for lunch.
A priceless view, especially with the sun.
March in London: the flea markets
Everlasting free of charge, if you go just to browse and not to buy, in March in London you cannot miss:
- Peckham Flea Market, in one of the most multicultural and surprising neighborhoods in London, away from the usual tourist routes. Used clothes, household items and handicrafts are on sale here at very affordable prices. The place is quaint. Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5, from 11. 133 Copeland Road;
- Brixton Vintage Kilo Sale, in another very lively area of London and little frequented by tourists. This is the chance of a lifetime if you love vintage clothing. No matter what you get, leather jackets, knitted sweaters, furs and so on, you can buy it at 15lbs / kg. Saturday and Sunday, March 4-5, from 10 Brixton Station Road;
- Flea Market at Flat Iron Square, which takes place every week and where you can really find everything. Every Saturday from 10 near London Bridge. 68 Union Street.
