Pictures of March

About March

This attractive market town lies at the centre of a network of railways linking the Fens to the surrounding Counties. It is most famous for it church, St. Wendreda's which lies at the end of Church Street on the south side of the town. This is reputed to be one of the most photographed of all East Anglian church interiors, its double hammer-beam roof showing numerous carved angels spreading their wings is especially notable.

The town sits on the River Nene, this is spanned by a handsome arched bridge under which slow moving narrow boats vie for position with graceful swans and ducks. In the town visitors can see an attractive Town Hall building, a War Memorial and a Market Cross evidencing the fact that the town once held a market on a site close to St.Wendreda's church. This is thought to have been during the early 17th century, but the town did not receive its market charter until it was granted by Charles I in 1670.

A curiosity of the town is the tradition of the March, March march. This is when a group of Cambridge students gather in the town to walk back to Cambridge stopping at all convenient inns to quench their thirst! Naturally the event takes place in the third month of the year.

In the town visitors are made welcome at the March Museum, this tells the story of the town and has fascinating displays of life in March during the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the grounds of the museum you can see a reconstructed typical Fenland cottage with an outside "privy". The four acre Dunham's Wood is privately owned, but is open to visitors at certain times throughout the year. This is planted with a wide range of unusual trees, has a narrow-gauge railway and a host of garden sculpture.

On the outskirts of March you can find Stonea Camp, the lowest hill fort in Britain which was originally built as a military defence and used when the Romans invaded the area. Needless to say, the Romans won the day and the rest as they say - is history. However, this site provides an enjoyable, interesting visit, it has interpretation panels and can be found by following a sign to Stitches Farm off the B1093.

Visitors to the area find this a worthwhile place to tarry to discover the natural beauty of the Fens and its many enchanting villages. It gives both easy access to the coastal scenery of The Wash and a visit to Ely lying south of the town should not be missed, for Ely possesses one of the countries most dramatic cathedral churches.

For further information, please visit Marchtown.com