In Blackpool, March is the last month of the winter season, and the signal that the weather is about to improve in the spring. The month is also the beginning of the peak season and holidaymakers seeking to have a more productive holiday and avoid overcrowding will visit the seaside resort during the coming months. However, it is still very quiet around this time compared to the summer months, particularly if you are able to avoid visiting during the Easter break.
This month's temperature is quite different from February as it has an average temperature of 6°C, and even though this is only a couple of degrees' difference, you will certainly feel it. The weather improves even further with average high temperatures of 9°C and average low temperatures of 3°C. Some days at the beginning of the month may be below 0°C, particularly very early and very late without the heat of the sun helping out, but the temperature rises towards the end of the month as time goes on.
March is one of Blackpool's driest months as it only averages 14mm of precipitation with an average of 18 rainy days. This is great news for those who do not enjoy the rain: even though the majority of the month will still see some coming down, there is the comfort that it will not usually be a heavy shower. However, it is quite common for the weather to change suddenly; therefore, people on holiday should pack umbrellas and check the weather forecast before heading out from their hotels.
The sea is rather cold for swimming with an average temperature of 7°C in March. It is more advisable to wait for the summer months. In the United Kingdom, it is more usual to simply spend some time on the beach during the winter or head out to play on the amusements on the pier. Just because you aren't getting your feet wet doesn't mean you can't enjoy the beach!
Where to Stay
The Hotel Craig-Y-Don may look basic from the outside, but the rooms are comfortably appointed, and the lounge area with live entertainment is a perfect place to shelter from the cold March weather. It is located in the centre of the promenade, which means that you are right in the thick of the action. Bed and breakfast packages are available, and you are guaranteed a quiet stay with hen and stag parties banned.
The Colwyn Hotel is another great option to go for. It's on the seafront with easy access to the Pleasure Beach, and you can park for free as well as using complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Pets are allowed so long as they are well-behaved, and breakfast is served with a sea view. They have an evening menu as well should you wish to stay in for dinner.
The Big Blue Hotel certainly stands out, as it is literally a bright blue building! This 4 star hotel offers more of a luxury approach, with the White Tower Restaurant being the highlight of their offerings. There is also a studio gym, and a spa area where you can book in for a massage. There is also a bar for drinks in the evening, and room service is available.
Restaurants and Nightlife
Terra Nostra is the place to go for delicious pizza and Mediterranean dishes. It has been around for over 10 years, and offers both Italian and Sardinian cuisines. It is close to the North Promenade so you can easily factor it in to your plans for a stroll, and offers a quieter atmosphere with a delightful selection of dishes available.
Michael Wan's Mandarin Cantonese Restaurant does what it says on the tin, and the portion sizes are huge. They have live music on Wednesdays, a whole host of special offers to help you save money, and even online recipes so that you can recreate their dishes at home. If you love Chinese food, this restaurant will definitely tickle your taste buds.
The Stone Grill offers a different option - a steakhouse offering traditional dishes. Sea views are a part of the experience, right on the Blackpool Promenade, and you can see right out over the sands. They serve succulent steaks, fresh fish caught daily, and locally sourced produce, much of which you can also find gracing the daily specials board.
Things to Do
Staying indoors is advisable in the March climate, and the Sea Life Blackpool attraction provides the chance to do just that as you experience some top quality entertainment. These centres are a common fixture of British seaside towns, letting you get up close and personal with sea creatures that are normally hidden away. These include the fantastic, the colourful, and even the scary!
If the weather warms up enough for going outside, head to the Blackpool Zoo. Here you will find a wealth of exotic animals, including elephants, lions, gorillas, camels, and more. Their breeding program includes some endangered species, and it's exciting to see them continuing the fight for survival here.
Clue HQ is one of the many new escape rooms which are spreading across the globe and rising in popularity. The idea is simple: you get locked into a room, and have a set amount of time to work within your group to try to escape! Variations include needing to figure out how to defuse a (fake) bomb or breaking out of a medical quarantine.
