With the first 7pm sunset just weeks away, many Britons are ready to shake off the winter blues and start planning their first spring day trips and staycations.
Searches for “when do the clocks go forward” have jumped 190 per cent in the past month, showing just how eager people are for longer, brighter evenings. Some parts of the UK are already better positioned to enjoy milder weather, longer sunsets and the earliest signs of the new season - perfect for an early spring escape.
To highlight where travellers can experience those early spring moments first, researchers at SIXT analysed factors including average March temperatures, sunset times and rainfall to identify the UK destinations most likely to offer a glimpse of the season ahead.
It found Norwich could be the best option for a last-minute spring getaway with more hours of daylight.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Norwich is great for an early-spring getaway
| GETTYBest staycations to spot the first signs of spring
- Norwich (96.4)
- Southwold (80.5)
- Great Yarmouth (80.5)
- Penzance (74.3)
- St Ives (74.3)
- Clacton-on-Sea (73.2)
- Aldeburgh (73.0)
- Bangor (72.6)
- Lowestoft (71.4)
- Colchester (70.8)
- Ipswich (70.8)
- Felixstowe (70.8)
- Oban (70.1)
- Thurso (68.5)
- Londonderry (39.5)
LATEST TRAVEL
Norwich takes the top spot, thanks to a relatively low chance of rain (42 per cent), average March temperatures around 10°C, and favourable conditions for spotting early seasonal blooms.
The historic city is especially appealing for a spring weekend break, with its cobbled streets, independent shops and riverside walks.
Areas such as the cathedral quarter and the historic lane of Elm Hill feel particularly atmospheric as the city begins to brighten, while walks along the River Wensum offer a peaceful way to enjoy the longer evenings.
Nearby coastal towns Southwold and Great Yarmouth share second place in the ranking, making the East Anglian coast one of the best regions for early spring getaways.
Enjoy a trip to picturesque Southwold
| GETTY
St Ives has no shortage of great beaches | GETTYFurther south, holidaymakers can visit the beach. Penzance and St Ives rank joint fourth and benefit from some of the latest sunset times in the UK during March, averaging around 6.34pm.
Combined with average temperatures around 11°C, the Cornish coast offers one of the best chances to enjoy early spring sunshine — whether that’s a coastal walk, a seaside café stop or a weekend staycation by the sea.
As the days gradually lengthen and temperatures begin to climb, destinations across the UK are starting to shake off winter, making March and April an ideal time to plan a first spring road trip or short break before the peak summer crowds arrive.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
More From GB News