Things to Do
An image of a field of daffodils in front of a large stately home.

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN MARCH

This March, we’ve got plenty of ideas to help inspire your visits.

Learn about the achievements of pioneering women, explore our sites from the air or plan a Mother’s Day adventure. Read on to discover fascinating history, unmissable events and captivating places.

A family walking through a quarry garden. The parents are both holding umbrellas.

1. Have a Mother’s Day Adventure

This Mother’s Day, do something special and enjoy a family day out in some of the best surroundings England has to offer.

Whether your mum would prefer a trip to a grand royal home, a majestic coastal fortress or tranquil formal gardens, we have plenty of ideas for the perfect day out. We also suggest looking at our list of top tearooms to include delicious food with your visit.

For a gift that keeps on giving beyond the day itself, treat mum to a whole year's worth of historical adventures by gifting her an English Heritage membership.

Find out more
An image of a flower bed full of colourful tulips. In the background is a large stately home.

2. Discover spring flowers at our historic gardens

With the recent warmer weather, the first signs of spring are emerging from the soil. Enjoy delicate snowdrops, glorious daffodils and vibrant blossoms as our gardens burst into colour. We’ve narrowed down some of the best gardens to visit this season, and the places where you can see each spring flower.

For keen gardeners, our online shop has a range of gardening accessories to help inspire your own spring garden transformation.

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An image of two aerial photographs of the grounds of a grand historic house.

3. Explore our sites from the air

Use our stunning ‘postcard’ videos to experience a bird’s eye view of the properties in our care.

Access the landscape in a way our ancestors could only dream of and fly over the secluded ruins of Lindisfarne Priory. Watch a striking sunset over coastal Pendennis Castle or gaze down at the gardens of Brodsworth Hall. Contrast the grand extravagance of Kenwood with the imposing military might of Dover Castle.

Sit back and plan your next visit from the comfort of your home!

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An image of an illustration of several influential women from history.

4. Celebrate Women's History Month

From great medieval queens to nurses in the First World War, the role of women has often been overlooked. Celebrate Women’s History Month by learning about the achievements of remarkable women.

We have many blue plaques dedicated to female pioneers. Medical professionals such as Ethel Gordon Fenwick and Lilian Lindsey had a huge impact on modern healthcare. Rosalind Franklin's research proved crucial to the discovery of the structure of DNA. And Ada, Countess of Lovelace, is now known as one of the first computer programmers.

You can also discover the hidden histories of the women who helped to shape our sites.

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An image of two people walking through the grounds of a historic property. The building in the background is white with three storeys and a gable roof.

5. Enjoy National Lottery Open Week

We're taking part in National Lottery Open Week again in 2025 to say a huge thank-you to National Lottery players everywhere for your support.

Between the 15 and 23 March, several sites will also be holding exclusive behind-the-scenes tours. These will showcase the work that has been undertaken thanks to support from National Lottery players, through The National Lottery Heritage Fund. All tours are free, but you must book in advance and present a valid Lottery ticket when you arrive.

Then on the 22 and 23 March, you’ll be able to visit many of our exciting historic places for free. Simply bring your National Lottery ticket or scratchcard to any of these selected sites to get free entry for 1 adult and up to 2 children. No pre-booking is needed.

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The Month In History

  • The first International Women’s Day occurred on 19 March 1911 and was especially celebrated in Austria and Germany. In 1913, the date was moved to 8 March. Rallies were held across Europe on 8 March 1914, including in London where Sylvia Pankhurst was arrested on her way to speak in Trafalgar Square.
  • Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh was born on 30 March 1853. He spent time in Stockwell in South West London in the 1870s, and today a blue plaque commemorates his stay.
  • The Scottish-born inventor, Alexander Graham Bell, was born on 3 March 1847. Bell invented the telephone, which he demonstrated to Queen Victoria at her island holiday home, Osborne. The Queen immediately asked to purchase two of the devices.
  • Alfred Hitchcock’s film Psycho premiered on 16 March 1960. The film is considered definitive of the psychological horror genre, and the director is commemorated with a blue plaque at his South Kensington home.

More to Explore

  • Inspire Me

    Our historic sites offer something for everyone. Here we have gathered some of our favourite features, events and things to do to inspire your next visit.

  • THE ENGLISH HERITAGE PODCAST

    Join presenter Charles Rowe as we bring the history of our sites to life with news, views and expert interviews across over 150 episodes.

  • Become a member today

    Enjoy unlimited access to hundreds of historical places with an annual membership. Plus there's free entry for up to six children. Memberships start from £42 a year.