EXHIBITION: Wildlife Photographer of the Year, on now, Wed – Sun until Sun 3 April, The Base Gallery, Thatcham, near Newbury

Wildlife Photographer of the Year fish image The Base Greenham What's On March 2022 — Pic: Angel Fitor

If you haven’t seen it yet, head to The Base at Greenham Common, just over the Berks border. The amazing Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is on throughout March, on loan from The Natural History Museum. This year with a powerful climate theme, the exhibition will tell the story of a planet under pressure.

KIDS: Brian the Bookworm Trail, Thurs 3 March – Fri 1 May, The Vyne, nr. Basingstoke

Kicking off on World Book Day (3 March) kids will love this new garden trail, on at the fantastic National Trust Tudor power house, The Vyne. Search for Brian the book worm hiding in the gardens and discover a great ‘page-turner’ beloved of The Vyne’s former residents at each trail point. Cheeky Brian is also hiding around the House, where you can spot him and some of the books on display.

THEATRE: La Voix, Medina Theatre, Fri 4 March, Newport, Isle of Wight

La Voix Medina Theatre Isle of Wight What's On March 2022

Saucy, sassy and a seasoned entertainer, La Voix belts out tunes in the vocal styles of Tina Turner, Shirley Bassey and Cher, to name a few. On this March at The Medina Theatre, the singing super-diva brings comedy, huge vocals, impressions and more to the Island. Look out Newport!

VISIT: Luxmuralis Science Light and Sound Show, Mon 7 – Sat 22 March, Winchester Cathedral, Winchester

See the near-1,000 year-old Winchester Cathedral in a new light this March. The iconic building will serve as a canvas for a new, multi-sensory experience, created by the artist group Luxmuralis. Gawp and pause for thought on the wonders of scientific discovery, as the installation transports you through elements, molecules and DNA.

THEATRE: Les Misérables, The Mayflower, Tues 8 – Sat 26 March, Southampton

Les Miserables The Mayflower Southampton What's On March 2022 Hampshire — Pic: Helen Maybanks

Storm the barricades! Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Boublil and Schönberg’s global blockbuster musical comes to The Mayflower Southampton this March. Expect big performances and massive West End staging.

ART: Portrait of a Woman art workshop, Ashcroft Arts Centre, Tues 8 March, Fareham

A great way to celebrate International Women’s Day, choose a woman who inspires and motivate you, then design and create a portrait using mixed media at this evening workshop. Leading the session, artist-tutor Kelly Daniels will discuss how woman are portrayed in art and how other artists represent them. She’ll then guide you step-by-step on making your own masterpiece tribute.

DRINK: Gilbert White’s House Gin Event, Sat 12 March, Gilbert White’s House, Selbourne

Learn about gin, sample gin and have fun. Sounds good to us! On at the great naturalist’s 16th Century Barn, on taste are some great local drops from the likes of Hogmoor Distillery, Gorilla Gin and Gilbert White’s own No. 6 Gin.

COMEDY: Sheila’s Island, Tues 15 – Sat 19 March, Mayflower Studios, Southampton

A brand spanking new comedy from writer Tim Firth (Calendar Girls, Kinky Boots, The Band). Billed as The Office meets Lord of the Flies meets Miranda, the cast stars the like of Sara Crowe (Private Lives, Calendar Girls, Four Weddings and a Funeral) and Judy Flynn (The Brittas Empire, Dinnerladies), as execs on an annual outward bound team-building weekend. As they sit stranded, cold and hungry on an Island in the Lake District, truths will be told and dirty washing aired. Brilliant.

COMEDY: Shaparak Khorsandi: It was the 90s!, Fri 18 March, Theatre Royal Winchester

The decade where Shaparak left an important part of her brain somewhere in a field in Hampshire… Err – sounds familiar! From indie discos to unflattering crop tops, the popular TV standup will take a trip down memory lane to a decade where she flew about London with hope in her heart and a pair of spare knickers in her handbag.

DRINK: Cocktail Masterclass at Heckfield Place, Sat 19 March, Hook

Bartender at Heckfield Place Cocktails Moon Bar masterclass What's On March 2022 Hampshire

This luxe, celeb-favourite Hampshire hotel has just toasted a brand new Green Michelin Star. Part of their Spring Equinox celebrations, its cocktail-making maestros will demonstrate how to create botanical cocktails made using foraged ingredients from the 438-acre estate. Also on this month at Heckfield Place, have lunch and make a journal with author-illustrator Laura Brand (Sat 20 March), or go Forest Bathing in the beautiful estate (Sun 20 March).

KIDS: Planet Protectors at The Winchester Science Centre, Sat 19 March – Sun 8 May 2022

Next stop in the Science Centre’s 20-year anniversary celebrations comes a climate and environment theme. Part of a series of revivals, join the Planet Protectors. Discover why green is the new black when it comes to fabric dying and delve into the world of alternative fuels. The team of noughties eco-fashion warriors will also explore the carbon cycle of clothes.

VISIT: Exbury Gardens reopens, Sat 19 March, Exbury, Southampton

Just in time to catch the daffs, blossom and more brightening Spring flowers in full bloom, the 200-acre Exbury Gardens and woodlands reopens. Soak in the beautiful surrounds then have fun with the family on the cute steam railway and at the play area.

FOOD: Oli Marlow Kitchen Takeover, Sun 20 March, Chewton Glen, New Forest

Chewton Glen Hampshire What's On March 2022

Foodie TV addict? Switch off the box and get properly involved in the top chef action at Chewton Glen in the New Forest. This March, Oli Marlow, Executive chef of Roganic and Aulis London & Hong Kong and Great British Menu 2021 finalist will stage a takeover at The Kitchen. On the menu are Champagne, canapes and plenty of creative dishes, followed by a cheffy Q&A. Also this month, look out for a Spot of Afternoon Tea masterclasses (10/22 March) and Heavenly Handmade Truffles chocolate tasting and making (26 March). Yum!

VISIT: Chawton Village Walk, Jane Austen’s House, Sun 20 March, Chawton, near Alton

Celebrating the first day of Spring, take a guided, literary stroll around the picture-perfect Hampshire village of Chawton. Walk in Jane’s footsteps and learn about her love of nature, village life, houses and views she knew and the importance of village life in shaping her writing.

MUSIC: Someone Like You: The Adele Songbook, Kings Theatre, Sun 20 March, Southsea

Never seen Adele live? This tribute set could just be the next best thing. Picked out by the singer-songwriting powerhouse as ‘someone like her’, Adele-endorsed Katie Markham will lead a stellar six-piece band. She’ll belt through some of her hottest hits, before winding down to an acoustic set.

ART: Paula Rego: Literary Inspirations at The Petersfield Museum, Wed 23 March – Sat 9 July, Petersfield

Girl Reading at Window from Jane Eyre, Paula Rego — Image: Girl Reading at Window from Jane Eyre, 2001 – 2002, courtesy Paula Rego and Cristea Roberts Gallery, London ©️ Paula Rego

Following a major retrospective at Tate Britain, Petersfield Museum has an exhibition of figurative artist Dame Paula Rego’s work, a Portuguese-British visual artist known for her paintings and prints based on storybooks. Displayed alongside Paula Rego’s graphic work will be the stories that inspired her, in artists’ books published by Enitharmon Editions.

FOOD: Mother’s Day afternoon tea, The Milestones Museum, Sat 26 – Sun 27 March, Basingstoke

How’s this for a nostalgic afternoon? Wander the cobbles at Milestones Living History Museum before tucking into a Mother’s Day cream tea from the vintage tent. On Sunday afternoon, waltz away as the band plays on the bandstand.

VISIT: Mother’s Day Specials, The Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Sun 27 March, Havenstreet, Isle of Wight

Aways a brilliant outing on the Island, surprise mum with a nostalgic train ride, or drop hints for your own Mother’s Day treat. Sit your own VIP compartment in a restored Edwardian carriage with glorious views as you travel through 10 miles of Island countryside. To make them feel extra special, every mum gets a posy of Spring flowers. And there’s a slap-up roast on offer in the Refreshment Rooms after.

Spring forth! What’s on this March

You may also like