When is October half-term 2026 in the UK?
When is October half-term?
12 Oct to 30 Oct 2026
Earliest start: Scotland. Latest end: England. Different UK nations break up on different dates.
In 2026 Scotland breaks 12–23 October and England 26–30 October — a different week entirely. Travel between the two half-terms for the quietest October window. UK destinations like the Lake District, Cornwall and Edinburgh see noticeably lower occupancy in the days between the two peaks.
Dates by UK nation
| Nation | Upcoming dates |
|---|---|
| England | · ✓ GOV.UK |
| Scotland | · ✓ education.gov.scot |
| Wales | · ✓ Welsh Government |
| Northern Ireland | · ✓ education-ni.gov.uk |
October half-term is the most fragmented UK school holiday. Scotland's autumn break falls one to two weeks earlier than England's, and Northern Ireland's is often only two days. The week to avoid is the one when English, Welsh, and Scottish schools all happen to be off at once. It doesn't happen every year, but when it does, prices and availability shift sharply.
If you can travel in the gap between Scotland's autumn break and England's, short-haul flights are noticeably cheaper, especially Friday and Sunday departures.
Also searched for as: autumn half term or october break.
Dates are based on term dates published by 218 UK local authorities and devolved education bodies. Individual schools, particularly academies in England, may set their own dates within the local authority window. Always confirm specific dates before booking.