March
Old River Nene, March © Travel About Britain
March, one of the Fens largest and finest towns, still retains much of its Georgian charm. The bustling town centre has plenty of bars and restaurants and the wide main street (Broad Street) is lined with a mix of national and independent shops and eateries. A weekly market is held every Wednesday, just south of the river, in front of the town's superb brick and stone built town hall (1900).
March is blessed with a good number parks and
green open spaces but
it is best known for its pleasant riverside setting.
The course of the Old River Nene (part of the Nene-Ouse
Navigation), meanders through the centre.
Narrow boats and other pleasure craft can often be
seen cruising along this quiet stretch of the river,
where there are good moorings. The course of the navigation
affords many attractive riverside walks.
The town has many interesting old buildings with historical associations. The partly arcaded main street (Broad Street), boasts a number of old coaching inns, plus a few timber-framed and tile hung buildings. At its head is a ornamental fountain dedicated to King George V, and at the southern end is a fine stone carved war memorial (shown below).
Broad Street, March © Travel About Britain
St Wendreda's, a magnificent perpendicular church located just to the south of the town, has a fine west tower and an impressive tall spire. It is renowned for the double-hammerbeam roof over its nave, decorated with rows of beautiful carved angels. A few older houses are cluster round it, including a thatched farmhouse (circa 1658).
During the Civil
War the town was attacked by the Royalists and scars
of this battle can still be seen on the north face
of St Mary's Church tower.
March is home to the annual March Summer Festival
in early June. It is held in West End Park with popular
music, fairground rides and a host of family based
activities.
March has excellent road and rail links with Ely and Peterborough.
Places of interest to visit in March
March & District Museum
Located in a former school constructed of West Norfolk Carstone (circa 1851). It describes the social history of this old Fenland market town covering mainly the past 100 years, using a number of period room reconstructions. There is also an exhibition detailing the history of the railway centre in March.
Opening times:Sat and Wed, 10am to 3.30pm - Free Entry
Location: High St, March PE15 9JJ
Tel: 01354 655300
Website: marchmuseum.co.uk
Nearby Nature Reserves
Purls Bridge Nature Reserve is worth visiting in early
spring, when its marshes are flooded.
Location: Purls Bridge, Cambridgeshire
PE15 0ND - Tel: 01354 680212
The Welney Wildfowl Refuge has public hides and an
observatory.
Location: Hundred Foot Bank, Welney Wetland Centre
Station Road, Welney, Wisbech PE14 9TN
Dunhams Woods, just off the B1099, is a fine area
of woodland set among the Fens. It has a wide variety
of trees along with Sculptures and a miniature railway.
Open: BHs, Sun & Mon,
Easter~Aug 2-5pm. Last Sun during July & every Sun during Aug 2-5pm.
Location: Rodham Road, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 0DN
Map of March
East of England
