What To Pack For A Trip To London In March

I recently went to London for my birthday and was super excited. However, when I started to prepare, I realized I had no idea what to pack for a trip to London in March.

I was all too familiar with the rainy and cold reputation of London’s weather. And unfortunately, my research into the weather was not as helpful as I’d hoped. Like many other places, London’s spring weather is unpredictable. Ironically, many locals said the weather the week before my visit was warmer, which I did see from checking the weather. But as luck would have it, my week there was rainy, cold, and windy. But of course, I went prepared.

So, if you are planning a trip to London in March or during the springtime, this post will help you decide what to pack and how to dress to stay warm and comfortable.

Getting Familiar With The Weather

Start checking the weather at least a month before you arrive. I personally do this for all places I visit. This helps me understand the changes and trends in the weather over several weeks.

It’s also a good idea to get familiar with the climate. The exact temperature can feel different depending on your destination. Things like wind, staying near water, or humidity can affect how it feels outside. So you’ll also want to consider this when packing.

Will It Be Cold In London In March?

The short answer is yes. But the more complicated answer is that it depends.

London’s weather is known to be cold, rainy, and overcast. And I found this to be completely true during the month of March.

Spring weather in London seems unpredictable, like in many other places, with the temperature going up and down throughout the month. Out of curiosity, I checked the weather the week after I left, and it was much warmer. So packing can be tricky, but I used a secret that worked perfectly!

Dress In Layers

Dressing in layers is my big secret!

Okay, it might not be an exciting secret, but it definitely worked. With all the sightseeing and walking I knew I would do, I had to consider the possibility that I could get hot and cold at times. The key is to balance this out with layers. I could easily remove certain items to cool off and put them right back on to warm up.

This works even better with the correct type of items. The hat I wore was an insulated North Face beanie. This hat was essential to keeping my ears and head warm. So, when putting together your layers, try to bring items with insulation and built-in warmth.

What To Pack To Stay Warm

what to pack for a trip to london in march

1. Undershirts

Start your outfit with an undershirt or tank top. This will provide extra warmth but also prevent you from becoming too hot if the temperature rises.

2. Long-sleeve shirts

I recommend wearing a long-sleeve shirt, such as a button-up, instead of a sweater.

Remember, London is a very active and walkable city. When sightseeing and exploring, you’ll likely move a lot and enter different buildings. Many buildings will be heated, so a heavy or bulky sweater might become hot and uncomfortable.

If you wear a sweater, choose one made of a lighter fabric. This will make it easier to cool off in a warm building.

3. Pants

I personally didn’t wear any layers under my jeans. Yes, it was cold, but my jeans were enough to keep me warm.

You can put an extra layer under your pants, but I wouldn’t say it’s necessary. However, if you want to wear a skirt or dress, wearing layers underneath is a good idea. The wind can be harsh, and you don’t want to be caught in it with your bare legs.

4. Shoes

Boots are popular in cold weather, but I don’t think they are always the best choice. Certain styles of boots can make your feet feel cold and numb because they have little to no insulation or cushion.

My Cole Haan sneakers and crew socks were perfect for the weather. You want to choose a pair of shoes that has some cushion, will keep your feet dry, and is suitable for walking on different surfaces.

5. Cold-weather accessories

I highly recommend wearing a hat, scarf, and gloves. These were honestly the real stars for me when I was in London. These accessories helped protect me from the wind and the breeze while walking between tall buildings and the unexpected rainfall that often started. And if I started to get too warm, it was easy to take off my hat or gloves to cool down. Since these are smaller items, they fit in my pockets and I didn’t have to carry anything or try to find space in my purse.

6. Coat

Last but not least, your coat. I don’t think you will need a heavy winter coat for London in March. This is why I believe layers are so important. With the right balance of layers and your jacket, you can definitely stay warm.

I personally wore a mid-length trench coat with a hood. A few times, I thought I could’ve worn a puffer coat, but in the grand scheme of things, this trench coat was perfect. I stayed warm and even became warm going in and out of buildings. This was easily fixed by unbuttoning my jacket to cool off. And I could bundle right back up before I got too cold.

Is it worth going to London in March?

The weather or climate shouldn’t keep you from visiting a destination. It’s all about planning and being informed. If you learn to dress for different weather conditions, it won’t matter if it’s cold or hot. So, I absolutely believe London is a great place to visit in March.

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