Lifestyle -- 12 days ago
The London list: The best things to do in March 2026
From a very British week celebrating the humble pie to exciting new exhibitions championing simplicity or blurring the lines between fashion and art, here are the best things to do in London this March 2026.
- Words: Sophia Baccanello
There was a faint whisper of spring recently, and I think it’s safe to say we were all quietly desperate for it, as the last two months have taken real determination to get through. With March now upon us, it feels important to hold on to that good mood and welcome the change of season with open arms. Kicking off the month is the annual British Pie Week. With restaurants across the capital celebrating the humble classic, we’ve made our pick for the very best in British comfort. And with sunshine finally peeking out from behind clouds that once felt immovable, why not explore London’s green spaces and the first hopeful sprinkles of daffodils before heading to a gallery for an afternoon of culture. Mother’s Day is also on the horizon, so perhaps avoid the last-minute scramble and treat the woman who makes it all happen to an afternoon tea or a celebration of citrus in true Normandie style. If you’re still feeling the effects of the past few months and in need of a seasonal reset of your own, The Marylebone and Rebase offer a long-overdue reboot. Or, if the call of the countryside is growing louder, even just for a day, The Newt provides the perfect rural escape. Whatever you have in mind for March, make the most of those lighter evenings and that welcome glimmer of sunshine. Spring is fleeting, after all. So discover our pick of the best things to do in London this month…
Pie Week at Mount St. Restaurant
A very important week for us Brits is upon us, a dedicated time to celebrate the humble pie. However, there is no trace of modesty at Mount St. Restaurant, where Jamie Shears has joined forces with Michelin Green Star chef and owner of Apricity, Chantelle Nicholson, to create a pie to end all pies, celebrating whole-animal cookery and a distinctly British, seasonal larder. Now in its third year, there is no stall in creativity as the chefs present an elevated take on a classic: Durslade Farm lamb, celeriac and Black Badger pea pie, finished with a wild garlic liquor. It is everything and more that you could want, while reflecting a continued commitment to sustainability and seasonality. The lamb is sourced from the restaurant’s Somerset farm, with an endeavour to avoid waste by utilising the bones for depth and the fat to carry flavour through a slow braise, all carefully encased within buttery pastry. The Black Badger peas cut through with a gentle sweetness, while a vivid liquor made from the first flush of wild garlic which firmly echoes the hedgerows that inspired it. This is not just any old pie, but a true celebration of British farming. I cannot think of a better way to mark the week.
When? 2nd – 8th March 2026
Where? First Floor, 41-43 Mount St, London W1K 2RX
David Hockney: A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts about Painting
In his first presentation at Serpentine, David Hockney unveils a new body of work comprising five still lifes alongside five portraits depicting members of the artist’s close circle, including family and carers. As one of the most influential artists of our time, Hockney’s exhibition invites viewers to slow down and notice the extraordinary within the everyday. These new paintings extend his lifelong fascination with the act of looking, affirming his belief that simple beauty is worth celebrating. Curated in close collaboration with Hockney, the exhibition also brings his celebrated ninety-metre-long frieze A Year in Normandie to London for the first time. Inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry, this monumental work captures the changing seasons at the artist’s former studio in Normandy. The show works in harmony with the Serpentine setting, opening a dialogue with the surrounding landscape of Kensington Gardens and offering the perfect excuse for a day out immersed in nature as spring begins to bloom around the gallery.
When? From 12th of March
Where? Serpentine North Gallery, W Carriage Dr, London W2 2AR
How much? Free
Pintxos x Alta
Credit Emily Krouse.
If a quick trip to the Basque or Catalan country isn’t possible this March, then may we suggest the next best thing? The Northern Spanish style restaurant Alta has partnered with Sera for one Sunday and morphed itself into a neighbourhood pintxos bar right on your Soho doorstep. With chef Rob Roy Cameron at the helm, Alta incorporates open-fire cooking with the bold, convivial style of eating found in these gastronomic regions and their infamous bars. With experience at elBulli and having shadowed Albert Adrià, Rob brings the streets of Logroño to Alta, creating a bar style crawl within the restaurant. Embrace the Spanish way and move from stop to stop, eating standing up and savouring every bite. Thirteen pintxos make the rounds across four live stations: grill, fryer, chilled, and drinks. Bask in the warmth of the open fire with a single bite in one hand and a glass of vermouth in the other. Adopt the Spanish way of life: arrive when you like, graze on what suits you. It’s the Sunday service you didn’t realise you needed.
When? Sunday 8th of March, 2pm to 5pm
Where? Ground Floor, Kingly Ct, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW
Opening of Sale e Pepe Mare
An Italian staple of London’s dining scene is expanding its shores with the opening of Sale e Pepe Mare this March. Taking its tried and tested Knightsbridge formula, the new edition shifts its focus to the sea, injecting the traditional trattoria concept with a fresh, modern breath of coastal air. An ode to the Mediterranean, from Amalfi to Puglia, the menu balances an appreciation for classics such as Linguine all’Aragosta and Branzino alla Griglia or al Sale, while also introducing new nautical creations like Spigola Crudo and Tagliolini al Granchio. Admire the commanding seafood display like a kid in a candy shop, forming your own pick and mix from decadent spreads of oysters, langoustines and the day’s freshest catch. Then perhaps flag down the infamous Champagne trolley for an added touch of theatre to your meal, as there is something extra special about a Dirty Martini or Negroni, shaken and stirred right in front of you by a charming Italian. It is the perfect addition to an established classic, retaining everything that is loved about the original with a fresh seaside twist.
When? 2nd March 2026
Where? 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA
Dusty Knuckle x Atis
For a mere two weeks, two of London’s cult food brands have created the ultimate love child in the form of the Atis x Dusty Knuckle Buffalo Caesar Focaccia sandwich. This collaboration brings the cult-followed bakery to central London, but given its enduring popularity, they certainly won’t be giving all the focaccia away. This limited edition is strictly first come, first served, with just 25 sandwiches available per store, per day. Taking inspiration from atis’ best-selling Seiz’a Caesar salad, the exclusive offering combines perfectly baked focaccia with crisp romaine, avocado, blackened chicken, parmesan, shallots, Caesar dressing and a hit of buffalo sauce. The partnership also forms part of atis’ wider menu evolution, with freshly baked Dusty Knuckle focaccia joining the menu permanently from March 2026. It’s the perfect pairing of two separate concepts. Put them together and it’s pure decadence, so don’t take our word for it, try to nab one yourself before they run out.
When? Only two weeks from 2nd of March
Where? Available daily across all Atis locations
Opening of El Siete. Soho
All things agave are coming to you this March with the opening of the highly anticipated El Siete, beneath El Pastor. Opening its doors on Saturday 14th March, the 60-cover space, designed in collaboration with Macaulay Sinclair, brings the vibrancy of Mexico City to our humble Soho. Enter through a discreet pink door on Brewer Street to find ‘Barragán pink’ walls, neon reflecting off chrome and volcanic stone cladding, and a bar you’ll definitely want to be spotted at. Bringing modern Mexican bartending to Soho, the number seven is the inspiration behind the menu: seven best-in-class margaritas, seven agave cocktails and seven updated classics. Be prepared to be spoiled for choice with a curated collection of around 60 mezcals and tequilas, plus El Pastor’s own batch 005 limited-edition mezcal, made in partnership with a fifth-generation master mezcalero. To fuel your attempt to get through this copious offering, there are seven mini tostadas to line the stomach, with standouts including the Fugaz Avocado Tostada and the Yellowfin Tuna. So there’s no choice but to adopt seven as your new lucky number and let mezcal carry you through the night.
When? 14th of March
Where? 66-70 Brewer Street, Soho, London W1F 9UP
The Lanesborough x Bridgerton Afternoon tea
As a London institution, The Lanesborough never ceases to impress, and with its decadent interiors, it is only fitting that it welcomes Bridgerton’s fourth instalment with all the fanfare it deserves. With Mother’s Day fast approaching, this homage to the Regency era celebrates the matriarch of your life in the way she truly deserves. Amid the grandeur of a true Regency icon in the capital, Head Pastry Chef Jolan Thiry has curated a selection of offerings to tantalise the taste buds and indulge the senses. Expect the usual delights of finger sandwiches and scones, with clotted cream applied first, followed by an exquisite line-up of cakes, including the showstopper, The Lady in Silver, a delicate concoction of zesty lemon, vanilla whipped cream and yuzu gel. Finish it all by sipping on a glass of Forbidden Love, a blend of Hendrick’s Gin with vanilla and lemon, before departing to your waiting carriage.
Where? Park Corner, Hyde, London SW1X 7TA
The Newt, Great Garden Escape
If the promise of sunshine is calling you out of the city, but without the full commitment, a Great Garden Escape at The Newt promises to scratch that itch, all while returning you to Paddington by 6pm. Departing at 8:30am in the First Class carriage, this experience whisks guests to the heart of the West Country for a day at The Newt’s magnificent estate. Running on select Fridays and Saturdays from March to December 2026, the day centres around the celebrated gardens, with explorations of woodlands, farmland and cyder orchards, alongside estate-grown tipples and feasting along the way.With guided tours, talks and tastings, it offers the ideal countryside immersion, while a three-course, garden-led lunch leaves you feeling truly connected to the land. A short train ride back to London, complete with an afternoon tea picnic from the estate’s own bakery, ensures you return to the city with fresh air in your lungs and a welcome sense of invigoration.
Where? Meet at Paddington Station
When? Select Fridays and Saturdays from March 14th
Brooklands Bar, The Peninsula London
With lighter evenings gradually stretching longer each day, it feels only right to savour them at a rooftop bar, enjoying panoramic London views. We have just the spot. After a short “hot air balloon” ascent to the top floor, you’ll find yourself at Brooklands Bar, a masterclass in design and atmosphere. Inspired by Brooklands’ rich aviation heritage, it is the subtle detailing that truly defines the space, from original light fixtures fashioned from vintage racing cars to walls adorned with motoring memorabilia. The menu offers a playful nod to Concorde and is structured around Mach I, II and III, a progression of flavour and intensity. It is the brainchild of innovator James Tamang, who spearheads the bar’s mixology programme. With an in-house lab at his disposal, James pushes the boundaries of cocktail craftsmanship, forming unconventional yet brilliant flavour pairings. There is something to suit every palate, from bright, citrus-led cocktails such as the Sunbeam “Blue Bird” with perilla, plum and yuzu, to boundary-pushing serves like the Aeromax with dill vodka, tomato and oyster. It is a bar that celebrates the innovation of British motorsport and aviation, and James mirrors this spirit with an equally transformative cocktail experience.
Where? The Peninsula, 1 Grosvenor Pl, London SW1X 7HJ
Suite Health at The Marylebone
I think it’s fair to say we’re all a little fatigued from the last two months, as 2026 has well and truly taken no prisoners. With our energy faltering and our health calling for a much-needed reboot, The Marylebone Hotel has joined forces with wellness studio Rebase for a restorative two-day experience. Through a combination of innovative recovery treatments, curated in-room wellness amenities and access to London’s most prestigious gym, Third Space, expect a hotel recharge on steroids, finally allowing The Marylebone to banish those winter woes. Having settled into your suite with panoramic views of the London skyline and a roaring fire on your balcony, Rebase, awaits with a 45-minute infrared sauna and ice bath session in a private suite, followed by a 60-minute lymphatic drainage massage. The ultimate combination for restoration and longevity. After your five-minute stroll back to the hotel, expect a welcome selection of freshly pressed juices to further nourish you, and my suggestion, a long bath, truly allowing yourself to unwind in the privacy of your suite. After a regenerative night’s sleep, thanks to the wonders of the sauna and ice bath, begin refreshed with breakfast at 108 Brasserie before heading to Third Space to make the most of its state-of-the-art gym and pool, awakening both mind and body. With spring almost upon us, I can think of no better way to dust off the cobwebs and reset after the long winter slog.
Where? 47 Welbeck St, London W1G 8DN
The Citrus Festival at Saison
Our dreams of the French Riviera have rather delightfully materialised in Whitehall, as The OWO celebrates its annual Citrus Festival, bringing an explosion of flavour and, hopefully, a little zest for life after hibernation. A visit to Saison this month transports guests to Menton’s Fête du Citron and the birthplace of Chef Mauro Colagreco’s three-Michelin-starred Mirazur. Expect to find the vaulted room adorned with a plethora of citrus tablescapes, inviting you into a Mediterranean haven accompanied by a dedicated Citrus menu. Taking inspiration from the annual celebration, the menu places the humble lemon at the centre of the kitchen, showcasing the fruit’s versatility. A love letter to Mediterranean flavour, diners can enjoy Burrata with Sicilian raisins or Orkney scallops with Menton lemon, followed by Lamb saddle stuffed with kumquat or Saffron risotto with kaffir lime, before indulging in the exquisite Hand Tart with vanilla ganache and almond. All best washed down with homemade Mentoncello and a refreshing Sgroppino. Honouring the festival’s 1875 origins, the experience also nods to the legend that Adam and Eve planted a lemon in Menton as a replacement for their lost Eden. So find a little slice of paradise at Saison this March, and enjoy a refreshing meal that celebrates all things citrus.
When? Until the 22nd March
Where? Raffles London at The OWO, Whitehall, London SW1A 2EU
Schiaparelli at the V&A
This March, London welcomes the first UK exhibition dedicated to the iconic fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli. Charting the brand’s ever-growing influence from the 1920s to the present day, the exhibition celebrates the fashion house’s groundbreaking origins and its continued evolution under current creative director Daniel Roseberry. Schiaparelli has long blurred the lines between fashion and art, transcending the notion of clothing as something merely to be worn, instead using it to provoke conversation and elicit emotional response. The display traces her beginnings as a talented painter and sculptor before charting her transformation into an inventive and revolutionary designer who challenged conventional understandings of both fashion and art. Discover the seemingly limitless possibilities within the fashion world and how Schiaparelli subverted traditional conventions at this landmark, first-of-its-kind UK exhibition celebrating the enduring individuality of the house.
When? Opens March 28th
Where? V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL
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