Working out school holidays UK dates before you book is the difference between a relaxed trip and a scramble for flights the week everyone else has the same idea. Here is exactly when the 2026 breaks fall, plus the best destinations to match each one.

The main 2026 school holidays UK dates are: February half term 16–20 Feb, Easter holidays 30 Mar–10 Apr, May half term 25–29 May, summer holidays late July to early September, and October half term 26–30 Oct. Scotland's dates differ, with an earlier October break and shorter summer holiday.

Core Insights:

·       England's UK school holidays 2026 dates are set by over 150 local councils, so treat national dates as a guide and confirm with your school

·       Scotland's term dates differ meaningfully from England , no May half term, and a shorter, earlier summer break

·       There are 8 bank holidays UK 2026 in England and Wales, 9 in Scotland, and 10 in Northern Ireland

·       Booking flights and hotels the week before a half term or the Easter break is consistently cheaper than booking during it

·       Taking children out of school without authorisation during term time can result in a fine per parent, per child

UK School Holidays 2026 Explained

UK school holidays follow a three-term structure across most of the UK, but the exact dates vary between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and even between individual councils within England. Treat every date below as a reliable general guide, then double-check with your specific school before booking anything non-refundable.

When Are the Easter School Holidays 2026

The easter school holidays for most English state schools run from around 30 March to 10 April 2026, roughly two weeks, though some councils close a few days earlier. This year's easter break 2026 is centred on Easter Sunday, 5 April, with Good Friday on 3 April and Easter Monday on 6 April both falling as bank holidays UK 2026. The easter holidays 2026 window is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, so flights and family-friendly hotels are worth booking as early as possible.

When Is October Half Term 2026

October half term 2026 falls the week of 26–30 October for most schools in England and Wales, aligning with Halloween and giving families a natural window for a short autumn break. Scotland's October break typically starts earlier, from around 12 October, and often runs a full two weeks in some council areas rather than one. If you are flying, pairing your break with flights booked through Moveezo well ahead of half term keeps prices down before demand peaks.

Bank Holidays UK 2026

Bank holidays often bookend school breaks and are worth building into your travel plans, particularly for a long weekend that does not require booking time off work.

Bank Holiday	2026 Date (England & Wales)	Notes
New Year's Day	1 January (Thursday)
Good Friday	3 April	Scotland observes this too
Easter Monday	6 April	Not observed in Scotland
Early May Bank Holiday	4 May (Monday)
Spring Bank Holiday	25 May (Monday)	Often overlaps with May half term
Summer Bank Holiday	31 August (Monday)	Scotland takes it on 3 August instead
Christmas Day	25 December (Friday)
Boxing Day	28 December (substitute Monday)	26 Dec falls on a Saturday in 2026

 

Best Destinations for Each School Holiday Period

Where you go depends heavily on which break you are travelling in. Here is what tends to work best for each window in the 2026 calendar.

February Half Term Destinations

Short-haul sun (the Canary Islands, southern Spain) or a UK snow-focused trip to the Cairngorms or the Lake District both suit February half term well, since the break is short and families are usually looking for either winter sun or a countryside escape rather than a long-haul flight.

Easter Break 2026 Destinations

With around two weeks to play with, the easter break 2026 suits both a longer overseas trip and a UK-based break. Cornwall, the Cotswolds and Edinburgh are consistently popular UK choices for the Easter window, while European city breaks and Mediterranean coastal trips work well if you are flying. Pair your accommodation with a hotel booked through Moveezo Hotels to lock in family-friendly rooms before the peak Easter rush.

Summer Holidays UK Destinations

The summer holidays UK window is the longest break of the year, typically six weeks from late July to early September, and the most flexible for travel. The West Country coastline, the Scottish Highlands and North Wales are strong UK options for a longer domestic trip, while the length of the break also makes it the natural choice for a longer-haul family holiday. Browse events and attractions at your destination to build a full itinerary for the trip.

Half Term Holidays UK, May and October

May half term (25–29 May 2026) and October half term both make excellent short-break windows within the wider UK half-term holiday calendar. May suits UK coastal breaks and European city trips as the weather warms up, while October favours cosy countryside stays, city breaks, or a short-haul sun escape before the Christmas holidays. Compare car rental options through our worldwide car rental deals guide if you are planning to explore beyond your base.

School Holidays England vs School Holidays Scotland

School holidays england and school holidays scotland do not run on the same calendar, which catches out a fair number of families with children at schools in different parts of the UK, or those visiting Scottish relatives during term time. Scotland's school year typically starts in mid-August and finishes in late June, with an earlier and often longer October break and no separate May half-term, though local May holidays still apply around the Early May and Spring bank holidays. Always confirm dates directly with the relevant council, since Scotland's 32 local authorities set their own calendars individually, creating more regional variation than in England.

Comparison: Which School Holiday Suits Which Trip

Holiday Period	Typical Length	Best Suited To
February half term	1 week	Winter sun or snow trips
Easter holidays	~2 weeks	UK breaks or a European city/coastal trip
May half term	1 week	Short UK or short-haul European break
Summer holidays	~6 weeks	Longer domestic or long-haul family holiday
October half term	1–2 weeks (varies by nation)	Autumn city breaks or short-haul sun

Business Traveller, Family and Accessibility Tips

·       Business travellers: avoid booking flights the weekend either side of half term where possible, since fares and airport queues both spike

·       Families: book child-friendly hotel rooms and activity tickets well ahead of the summer holidays UK peak weeks

·       Accessibility: confirm step-free routes and accessible rooms directly with your accommodation at the time of booking, not on arrival

·       Budget-conscious families: travelling the week immediately before or after a half term is consistently cheaper than travelling within it

Common Mistakes to Avoid

·       Assuming national dates apply to your specific school without checking your local council

·       Booking term-time travel without requesting authorisation from the head teacher first

·       Overlooking that Scotland's half term and summer dates differ meaningfully from England's

·       Leaving flight and hotel booking until the same week as the holiday, when prices are at their highest

Quick School Holidays UK Checklist

·       Confirm your specific school's dates directly, since councils can vary by a few days

·       Request authorisation in writing if you need to travel during term time

·       Book flights and hotels at least a few weeks before the relevant half term or holiday

·       Check whether your destination has its own local school holiday calendar, which can affect pricing and crowds

·       Note the linked bank holiday dates when planning a long weekend around a shorter break

Conclusion

Knowing the school holidays UK calendar for 2026 in advance, and understanding how it differs between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, makes it far easier to book the right trip at the right price. Whether you are planning a short half term getaway or the full six-week summer break, booking early and matching the destination to the length of the holiday consistently gives the best results.

Ready to plan your next school holiday trip? Book flights, hotels and airport transfers together with Moveezo, or get in touch with our travel team for help finding the best dates and deals for your family.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

When are the school holidays UK 2026 dates?

The main 2026 dates for most English schools are: February half term 16–20 Feb, Easter holidays 30 Mar–10 Apr, May half term 25–29 May, summer holidays late July to early September, and October half term 26–30 Oct. Always confirm with your specific school, as councils vary.

When is October half term 2026?

October half term 2026 falls in the week of 26–30 October for most schools in England and Wales. Scotland's October break usually starts earlier, from around 12 October, and can run up to two weeks in some council areas.

How many bank holidays are there in the UK in 2026?

England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026, Scotland has 9, and Northern Ireland has 10. The extra days in Scotland and Northern Ireland reflect additional national observances such as St Andrew's Day and St Patrick's Day.

Can I take my child out of school during term time?

Only with authorisation from the head teacher, granted for exceptional circumstances. Unauthorised absence of five or more school days can result in a penalty notice fine per parent, per child, so it is worth requesting permission in writing well in advance.

Do Scotland's school holidays match England's?

No. Scotland's school year starts earlier, in mid-August, and finishes earlier too, with a shorter summer holiday and an earlier, sometimes longer, October break. Scotland also does not have a separate May half term in the way England does.

When is the best time to book school holiday travel?

Booking a few weeks before the relevant half term or holiday window is consistently cheaper than booking during it. The week immediately before or after a half term is often the best value if your school's dates allow flexibility.

What is the longest UK school holiday?

The summer holidays are the longest break, typically around six weeks from late July to early September in England and Wales, and slightly shorter in Scotland, which breaks up earlier in July and returns in mid-August.