Moving to March, Cambridgeshire: What Is It Really Like to Live Here?
Sasha Scott
created on 7th April 2026
Good-value homes, open Fenland countryside, its own railway station, schools, shops and a town centre built around the Old River Nene – March has plenty to offer anyone considering a move in Cambridgeshire.
As one of Fenland’s principal market towns, March combines the convenience of having everyday amenities close to home with the space and slower pace of life that attracts many people to this part of the county.
And for buyers and renters looking at what their budget can achieve compared with some other parts of Cambridgeshire, March can be particularly interesting.
So, what is it really like to live here?
A historic Fenland market town
March has a character all of its own.
The town developed around the Old River Nene, which still runs right through its centre, while its history is also closely connected with the railway, which helped transform March into an important regional centre.
Today, March provides the practicalities you’d expect from a well-established town, including supermarkets, independent shops, cafés, pubs, restaurants, healthcare facilities and leisure amenities.
There are also regular markets, community activities and events throughout the year, helping March retain the sense of identity you would expect from a traditional market town.
Riverside life in the heart of March
One of March’s most distinctive features is its relationship with the water.
The Old River Nene runs through the town itself, creating a waterside setting that gives central March a different character from many other Fenland towns.
It isn’t simply something to admire from the riverbank either. The waterway remains very much in use, with visitor moorings available in March and boats travelling through the town as part of the wider Middle Level waterways network.
For people who enjoy being outdoors, this creates opportunities for riverside walks, fishing and boating, while simply watching the boats pass through town can be part of the pleasure of living close to the water.
Beyond the river, March is surrounded by the famously open Fenland landscape. Its relatively flat terrain lends itself particularly well to walking and cycling, whether that’s a gentle weekend ride or exploring some of the villages and countryside surrounding the town.
West End Park provides valuable green space closer to home, while local sports clubs and leisure facilities provide plenty of other ways to keep active.
How much do homes cost in March?
This is one of the areas where March may really catch the attention of prospective buyers.
According to Rightmove’s latest sold-price figures, the overall average property price in March during the last year was £246,464.
Detached properties sold for an average of approximately £302,837, semi-detached homes averaged £225,960, while terraced properties averaged around £179,667.
For context, the equivalent average across Cambridgeshire as a whole was £378,885.
That is a substantial difference and helps explain why March can appeal to buyers willing to look beyond Cambridge and some of the more expensive parts of the county in search of greater value for money.
There is plenty of variety too, from period properties and traditional terraced homes to bungalows, established family houses and newer developments.
For first-time buyers in particular, March can offer opportunities at price points that have become increasingly difficult to find elsewhere in Cambridgeshire.
What does it cost to rent in March?
March isn’t only an option for buyers. It also has an established rental market catering for individuals, couples and families.
While official rental statistics are published for the wider Fenland district rather than March alone, they provide a useful indication of the relative affordability of renting in this part of Cambridgeshire.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the average private rent in Fenland was £838 per month in June 2026, compared with £1,281 across the East of England.
Average rents in Fenland were £624 per month for a one-bedroom property, £802 for two bedrooms, £974 for three bedrooms and £1,383 for homes with four or more bedrooms.
By property type, average monthly rents stood at £666 for flats and maisonettes, £834 for terraced properties, £922 for semi-detached homes and £1,101 for detached properties.
For renters considering different parts of the region, that can make March worth exploring – particularly for those who would like more space for their budget while retaining local amenities and a railway station.
For landlords, the town attracts a broad potential tenant market, including individuals, couples, families and people travelling elsewhere for work. However, rental demand and achievable rents can vary considerably by property and location, making good local advice important when considering an investment.
Schools and family life in March
Education is understandably an important consideration for families looking to move.
March has a choice of primary schools, including some with encouraging recent Ofsted results.
Cavalry Primary School was rated Good following its June 2024 Ofsted inspection, receiving Good judgements for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision.
There was also positive news for Westwood Primary School following its June 2025 inspection. Under Ofsted’s newer system, which no longer provides a single overall effectiveness grade for these inspections, Westwood received Good judgements in every assessed area, including education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and early years provision.
For secondary education, Neale-Wade Academy serves pupils aged 11–18 in March.
As always, families shouldn’t choose a home based solely on an online school map or an historic Ofsted rating. Catchment areas, admissions policies and inspection outcomes can change, and living within a particular area doesn’t necessarily guarantee a school place. We recommend checking the latest information with Cambridgeshire County Council and the individual school when considering a move.
A town with its own railway station
One of March’s biggest practical advantages is its railway station.
While residents of some Cambridgeshire market towns need to travel elsewhere before catching a train, March has its own station, providing connections towards destinations including Peterborough and Ely and access to the wider rail network.
For commuters, students and anyone regularly travelling around the region, having the station within the town can make a significant difference to everyday life.
By road, March is also well positioned for travelling towards Wisbech, Ely, Peterborough and Huntingdon, making it a practical base for households whose work or family life takes them in different directions.
Everything you need close to home
Another benefit of March is that it is relatively self-contained.
There are major supermarkets and smaller shops, places to eat and drink, healthcare services, leisure facilities and plenty of everyday essentials within the town.
March also has a strong local community, with clubs, societies, sports and events offering plenty of opportunities to become involved.
For more extensive shopping, entertainment or days out, larger centres including Peterborough, Ely and Cambridge are accessible without having to live amongst their higher property prices.
And for those who prefer escaping in the opposite direction, the open landscapes, waterways and big skies of the Fens are right on the doorstep.
Could March be the right move for you?
March might not be the first Cambridgeshire town everyone thinks of – and that can be part of its appeal.
For some buyers, moving further into Fenland can mean discovering just how much more property their budget could potentially buy. For renters, average rents across the wider district remain considerably below the East of England average. For others, it is the combination of the railway station, schools, countryside, waterways and practical amenities that makes the town work.
It can suit first-time buyers trying to get onto the property ladder, growing families looking for more space, renters searching for a well-connected town or homeowners wanting to downsize while keeping everyday facilities nearby.
And just like any town, different parts of March offer different advantages. Proximity to the station, schools, town centre, river, open countryside or particular road connections may all influence where you decide to live.
At Ellis Winters, our March team knows the local sales and rental market inside out. We understand not only what properties are selling and renting for, but the different areas, streets and property types that make up the town.
Whether you’re thinking of buying, selling, renting or letting in March, speak to our local team for friendly, straightforward advice.
And if you already own a property in March or the surrounding villages and you’re wondering what it could be worth, contact Ellis Winters to arrange a free, no-obligation sales or rental valuation.
£575,000 – Freehold
4 Bedroom Detached House For Sale – Steeple View, March, PE15 9QH
Sasha is a marketing specialist with 20 years experience. Her career has spanned marketing, counselling, and even funeral care - giving her a uniquely people-centred approach to every brief she takes on. She thrives in roles where she can use the written word and where empathy and clarity matter. Outside of work, she fosters animals (including a skunk and a sphynx!) and volunteers with local charities.
