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March Town Council Official Guide
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Welcome to March
Where is March
About the Town
The Library
Leisure Facilities
Education in March
History of March
March's Railway History
Notable People from March
Places to Visit and Things to See
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 March Town Council

March Town Council
The Town Hall,
Market Place,
March,
Cambridgeshire,
PE15 9JF,


Tel Enquiries: 01354 653709
Fax Enquiries: 01354 657786

Email: March Council


Places to Visit and Things to see

St Wendreda’s Church in Wimblington Road is world famous for its magnificent double-hammer beam roof with 120 carved angels and is regarded as one of the best of its kind.

Wendred, the younger sister of Etheldreda and Sexburga, daughters of King Anna of the Angles who died in battle in 654 AD, was a remarkable woman of Christian faith, who had a great knowledge in the healing properties of herbs. Sharing her faith and using this knowledge to treat the sick she became a nun and dedicated her life to help the inhabitants of March who suffered much from disease. After her death her relics were enshrined in gold and taken to Ely Cathedral. In 1016, Edward Ironside the son of King Ethelred, hoping that Wendred could still perform miracles and bring him victory, carried her relics into battle. In 1343, when the church was rebuilt, her remains were returned to March; her shrine was destroyed during the reign of Henry VIII but her final resting place is unknown.

March Museum is a voluntary run museum and one of the best of its kind. Housed in a mid 19th century Carstone School building in the High Street its displays give a vivid insight into life in the town a hundred years ago. There is a wide range of domestic and agricultural artefacts together with a selection of March records. In the yard there is a reconstructed Fen cottage and working forge. The Museum Society was formed to encourage support and maintenance of the collection. Joining fee is £3 per annum. Meetings are held on the 2nd Friday of each month in St Peters Church hall when a variety of speakers can be heard. The Museum is open each Wednesday and Saturday 10.30am – 3.30pm. Contact 01354 655300.Find out more about March at the Museum

The Civic Centre on the Market Place was built in 1900 as the Corn Exchange but as such was redundant by 1911. It was then taken over by March Urban District Council as their headquarters and where they remained until the Council was disbanded in 1974. For twenty years it was the local magistrates Court but became redundant again in the late 1990s when the Court was moved to Wisbech. A sum of money was gifted to the town in the year 2000 and the old Town Hall was purchased for the people of March. Lottery money has seen the premises transformed into a much-needed centre for the arts. On the ground floor and overlooking the Market Square is the new Panini café. March Town Council offices are also in this building.

Dunham’s Wood can be found on the B1099 on the outskirts of March. It is a four-acre oasis in the middle of the flat Fen. As well as having a variety of trees there are guided walks, sculptures and a miniature railway.

Open on the last Sunday of May, June, July and every Sunday during August 2-5pm and special events are held on Bank Holiday Sundays and Mondays. Contact 01354 652134.

Stonea Camp is the lowest ‘Hill Fort’ in Britain. Built in the Iron Age it was used unsuccessfully against the Romans. Its banks and ditches were restored following archaeological excavations in 1991. Visitors are welcome all year round. On site information can be found on a series of interpretation boards. Stonea Camp is situated on the B1093; turn where signposted to Stitches Farm.

The Stone Cross in the Avenue was erected circa the year 1500 and is a wayside cross. Legend tells us that the ancient Stone Cross once carved handsomely on all four sides with roses and coats of arms was built on the site originally intended for St. Wendreda’s Church. After Take in the arts at the Town Hallreturning each day to the site and finding total destruction the building was abandoned; the devastation put down to the work of the ‘devil’. Another ancient legend, recounted by the Rev. Walker in ‘Records of a Fen Parish’ says a walk backwards three times round the Cross at midnight on New Year’ Eve will bring luck all of the succeeding year.

The Fountain at the northern end of Broad Street was a monument erected to commemorate the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary in May 1911. There was much controversy as to its usefulness and its position but it was finally agreed that it would be an ornament for the finest thoroughfare in the town and seen from whichever direction a visitor came. Originally a drinking fountain for dogs and horses as well as people it has now lost its centrepiece and the troughs that flanked it. A committee collected £200 but decided this was not enough and a further £200 was collected to provide a more permanent memorial.



Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Photographs courtesy of The Art of Colour www.theartofcolour.co.uk