South West school holidays 2026/27

14 councils · compiled from each council's published calendar · latest check 12 September 2026

Most of the South West takes October half term from Monday 26 October 2026 to Friday 30 October 2026 in 2026/27, but Swindon and Wiltshire take a different week. The summer holiday starts anywhere from 22 July 2027 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to 28 July 2027 in Devon. The table compares all 14 South West councils for 2026/27, and each council name links to its full term dates, school-day counts and the council's own notes.

South West school holidays 2026/27 by council
CouncilOctober half termChristmasFebruary half termEasterSummer starts
Bath and North East Somerset26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr23 July 2027
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Bristol26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr24 July 2027
Cornwall26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr24 July 2027
Devon26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr28 July 2027
Dorset26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Gloucestershire26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
North Somerset26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr24 July 2027
Plymouth26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 4 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr27 July 2027
Somerset26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr24 July 2027
South Gloucestershire26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr22 July 2027
Swindon22 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr24 July 2027
Torbay26 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr24 July 2027
Wiltshire22 Oct – 30 Oct21 Dec – 1 Jan15 Feb – 19 Feb26 Mar – 9 Apr24 July 2027

Term dates by council in the South West

Reading the table: dates are the days off school as each council publishes them, trimmed to the school week. A dash means the council presents that period differently and its own page explains. Academies, free schools and private schools set their own calendars, and every school adds its own inset days.

Common questions

When is October half term in the South West in 2026?

The most common dates are: Monday 26 October 2026 to Friday 30 October 2026, taken by 12 of the 14 South West councils we cover. Swindon and Wiltshire take a different week, so check the council page for the school your children attend.

When do schools in the South West break up for summer 2027?

It depends on the council. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole starts the summer holiday first, on 22 July 2027, and Devon last, on 28 July 2027. The table on this page lists every council's date.

Do all South West councils have the same school holidays?

No. Each council sets its own calendar. In 2026/27, 12 of the 14 South West councils share the most common October half term, but the summer holiday starts anywhere from 22 July 2027 to 28 July 2027. Families with children at schools under two councils should check both pages. Academies, free schools and private schools set their own calendars, and every school adds its own inset days.

Other regions

East Midlands · East of England · London · North East · North West · Scotland · South East · Wales · West Midlands · Yorkshire and the Humber

Comparing across the whole country? See every UK council's school holidays side by side, or read how we compile term dates.