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School Holidays 2021, UK


Start planning the perfect trip away during the school holidays

Dreaming of quality family time with the little ones this year? It's a great idea to get planning as early as possible to access the best rates. To kick-start your holiday prep, read on to find out the dates of the UK school holidays, including school half term dates across the UK.

If you're looking for inspiration and a great deal on a UK short break or you will be flying out of the UK and want to save money on your travel extras, you're in the right place!

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Looking for 2022 bank holidays? Check out our page on UK School Holidays 2022.

Remember, the school term dates below are only guidelines, and exact dates vary from school to school. Make sure you check with your child's own school before making a booking. To go straight to the information you need, hit one of the buttons below.

School Holidays England School Holidays Scotland School Holidays Wales
School Holidays Northern Ireland Half Term Dates Hotels, Parking, and Lounges
FAQ More Info
girl drawing on map uk school holidays

School Holidays 2021 UK - England


For the full range of school holiday dates across all schools in England, check out the table below.

Holiday
Start Date
End Date
Summer (May) Half Term
31/05/21
04/06/21
Summer Holidays
25/07/21
03/09/21
Autumn Half Term Dates
25/10/21
29/10/21
Christmas Holidays
20/12/21
03/01/22

2021 School Holidays UK - Scotland


School term dates vary hugely between districts and local councils. We have displayed the entire date range of all Scottish school holidays below, though it is very likely your child's school will not be broken up for the entire date range. Ensure you check with your school for your local holiday dates.

Holiday
Start Date
End Date
Summer Holidays
05/07/21
17/08/21
Autumn Holidays
18/10/21
22/10/21
Christmas Holidays
20/12/21
05/01/22

UK School Holidays 2021 - Wales


Want to know the dates for school holidays in Wales? We've gathered information about the date ranges of all holidays across Welsh schools, so have a look below.

Holiday
Start Date
End Date
Summer (May) Half Term
31/05/21
04/06/21
Summer Holidays
20/07/21
02/09/21
Autumn Half Term
25/10/21
29/10/21
Christmas Holidays
17/12/21
04/01/22

School Holidays 2021 - Northern Ireland


Have a look below for the whole range of school term dates in Northern Ireland. Make sure you check with your school for specific dates before you book.

Holiday
Start Date
End Date
Summer School Holidays
01/07/21
01/09/21
Autumn Half Term
28/10/21
29/10/21
Christmas Holidays
23/12/21
03/01/22

School Half Term Dates


For a comprehensive and straightforward overview of all the half term dates across the UK, check out the table below. This table shows only half term dates and doesn't include other holidays, such as end of term or summer holidays.

Half Term Dates 2021
England
Scotland
Wales
Northern Ireland
May Half Term
31/05/21 - 04/06/21
31/05/21 - 04/06/21
-
-
October Half Term
25/10/21 - 29/10/21
-
25/10/21 - 29/10/21
28/10/21 - 29/10/21

Dates shown are the full range of possible school half term dates, and exact dates vary. Please only use this only as a guideline and check with your child's school for the exact date before you make a booking.


Hotels, Parking, and Lounges, Oh My!


plane and palm tree uk school holidays

Taking the whole family on holiday when school is out can certainly cost a pretty penny. But we've got you covered. Here at Holiday Extras, we can help you book the very best deals in all things airport - from parking to hotels, from lounges to car hire, there's no need to pay through the nose for your holiday essentials. Head over to our main site to start browsing by hitting the button below.

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Holiday Extras UK Breaks


If you're planning a family trip during the school holidays in 2021, Holiday Extras has a wealth of exciting Short Breaks packages available in the UK. We have thrilling Theme Park Breaks, including including Paultons Park where your children's imaginations can run wild as they enjoy fantastic rides and experiences.. Why not book one of our many Theatre Breaks packages where the whole family can enjoy a top London show. Perfect for a show-stopping staycation with family friendly entertainment, including the much-loved Back to the Future and The Lion King.

Speaking of London, at Holiday Extras we have a number of city breaks packages available for you and the family including memorable London City Breaks. Transport yourself and the children on a Nimbus 2000 to the wizarding wonderland that is Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter with Hotel Stay & Breakfast, or enjoy The View from The Shard London with Hotel Stay at one of three luxurious London hotels, or a London Thames River Cruise with Afternoon Tea & Hotel Stay.

We've also teamed up with Leisure Pass Group to bring you a fantastic package of visiting several of the best London attractions paired with a Hotel Stay. The London Explorer Pass is your one-stop-shop for everything London and there are over 60 attractions to choose from; including the major landmarks you've always wanted to visit.

UK Short Breaks


UK School Holidays 2021 FAQ's


Here are some of the most popular questions asked about the school holidays and terms, so you can get booking your family trip with all the information you need.


When are UK School Holidays?

There are multiple school holidays in the UK, with the date ranges varying across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The summer holidays are typically the longest school holidays, and often the most popular time for families looking for a taste of adventure. There are also holidays around Christmas and Easter, as well as several half-terms.


When is School Half Term?

There are several half term breaks for schools in Wales, England and Scotland, with half terms typically found in February, May and October. Half terms tend to fall in the middle of a school term. Northern Ireland doesn't have typical half terms, but has several shorter breaks throughout the year, such as Mid Term and a couple of days for Halloween.


How Long is a Half Term?

Half terms are typically a week in length, end of term holidays typically two weeks, with an extended break for the summer.


How Long are UK School Summer Holidays?

Summer holidays in the UK typically last for around 6 weeks, though this can differ from school to school, and district to district. Make sure you check with your child's school for the exact dates.


How Long is a School Term?

School terms are normally between 10-13 weeks, depending on your location and school. There is normally a week's break in the middle of term.


More Important Information


Want to find out when the UK bank holidays are? Have a look at our Bank Holidays page.

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UK School Holidays 2023

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Information for the 2023 UK school holidays can be found here.

UK School Holidays 2022

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Information for the UK school holidays 2022 can be found here.