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September Holidays in England

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September Holidays in England

September Holidays in England

DigitalrezaidTRAVEL TIPS, CITY GUIDES, Planning, Activities8 hours ago4.2K Views

September embodies a unique transition from summer to autumn in England – generally milder temperatures, thinner crowds, and some cultural and community events. There are no significant public or bank holidays in September in England.

Despite lacking bank holidays, September is a regional, community, and global event category month, for theatre or cultural events, the beginning of the school year, and the beginning of fall travel, especially fair periods and long weekend opportunities.

This guide will explain all you need to know about September holidays in England, including how September holidays may differ from public holidays in the UK.

What Makes September A Distinctive Holiday Month

September is a pleasant blend of calm and color in England. Temporary summer crowds have receded, and the autumn colors now mostly surround you in the English countryside. Although it does not traditionally involve possible national office closures like public holidays in August or December (officially bank holidays in the UK), September can be relatively eventful, with generally thinner crowds on the weekends that permit good regional events and travel opportunities.

Some intrepid travelers or locals use September objectives with weekend or early fall observances to experience calmer or quieter travel than at other times.

Are There Any Public Holidays in September?

Simply put: No, not in England.

England does not have a public or ‘bank holiday’ in September. The last official summer bank holiday is usually the last Monday in August.

Scotland and Northern Ireland are a wee bit different, but we will look at these below.

Public Holidays in the UK - A Brief Overview

Knowing how public holidays (or bank holidays) work in the UK helps explain why September can feel a little strange. Here is how it works:

England and Wales:

8 official bank holidays in a year.
These are New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May bank holiday, Spring bank holiday (last Monday in August), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

Scotland:

Holds some different dates, like St. Andrew’s Day and no Easter Monday.
The summer bank holiday is the first Monday in August, not the last.

Northern Ireland:

Holds unique holidays like St. Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day).
Key takeaway: Only England and Wales share identical public holiday dates; Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own statutory holiday calendar.
So, in England, September holds no official holiday day, but culturally, it does.

Local and Cultural Holidays in England (September)

While there’s no national public holiday in September, many local events, historical days, and cultural activities keep the month exciting in England:

Heritage Open Days (National)

Early to mid-September
What is it: England’s largest history and cultural festival
What to do: Free entries to buildings or sites that are temporarily opened and are normally closed to the public, historic houses, churches, and museums
Price: Free
Where to do it: All over England, check for events in historic cities to visit in England like York, Bath, Oxford, and small rural village events.

Great North Run (Newcastle)

Usually, the 2nd Sunday in September
A half marathon, 57,000 runners
A huge celebration of the run with music, cheer zones, and a big sense of community.

Totally Thames Festival (London)

All month long
An arts festival across the river with art installations, performances, talks, etc.
It’s all about celebrating the River Thames and its cultural heritage.

Jane Austen Festival (Bath)

Mid-September
Historical reenactments with parades, dances and costumes
Perfect for people who love classic literature or period drama

London Design Festival

Usually, the 3rd week of September
It is one of the most important design exhibitions in the world.
Pop-up exhibitions, workshops and street installations.

Harvest Festivals

Late September (variable by church or community)
A Christian tradition holds to celebrate the autumn harvest
Sometimes celebrated in schools and churches, events include meals or asking the community to donate food

School Holidays are observed in September In England

In England, September is the new academic year at schools. There are no school holidays in September. However, you may find short periods when schools may not be open (in early September), such as

Inset Days (teacher training days) – which are often local, and then only particular students will have a day off
Short-term absences for religious holidays (in particular areas)
Always advise parents to check with local education authorities or school websites.

Travel Advice for September in England

Pros:

Mild weather
Fewer busy tourists (attractions)
Cheaper accommodation compared to the summer months
Good time to travel in the countryside (Lake District, Cotswolds, Cornwall)

Cons:

Less daylight with late September approaching
Weather is not guaranteed – keep a raincoat handy
Events to keep in mind during your time in September:
Some events, like the Heritage Open Days, are worth a trip to see

If you prefer to keep away from large crowds, dislike mass tourism, and dislike lots of people, avoid weekends or dates where there are large-scale events in central London, like the Thames Festival.

Cultural Context

Although the United Kingdom is legally a secular state, it still has a number of cultural Christian observances, such as:

Harvest festivals;
Back-to-school blessings;
community markets/fairs showcasing late-summer and early-autumn food produce;

September Retail Promotions

September isn’t one of those retail months where there are a ton of sales in the U.S or Canada (December or July), but you will see some common sales:

Back to school (early September)
Autumn fashion releases in retail chains
Etsy and local market shop boosts

Some small businesses may use this low-sales month to reconfigure and reinvent their brand, refresh their lines, or launch new collections prior to the holiday shopping season.

September Weather (England overview)

Avg Temp: 12°C to 18°C (54°F to 64°F)
Chance of Rain: Moderate (pack lots of layers and waterproofs).

Best Places to Visit In September:

Lake District (beginning of autumn color)
Cambridge (less crowded than summer)
Brighton (still fun, but a lot calmer)

Discover more in this guide to the best cities to travel in England

Observances and Days of Interest in September in England

September 5 - International Day of Charity

Encouraged by nonprofits and community groups designed to promote charitable giving and volunteerism.

September 8 - International Literacy Day

Commemorated in schools and libraries through reading events, book drives, and highlighting literacy around the world.

September 21 - International Day of Peace

Acknowledged with inter-faith services, school assemblies, and local peace activities in the community.

Around September 22-23 - Autumn Equinox

Celebrated by Pagans and Druids at sacred sites like Stonehenge, marking the seasonal change.

Ways to Enjoy September Without a Bank Holiday

September offers a number of experiences, even if there is no official public holiday. Here are some ideas to make it a relaxing break:

Take a day off on a Friday and create your long weekend.
Attend a heritage event or arts festival.
Go on a staycation in the countryside or on the coast.

Take late summer picnics in parks like Richmond, Hampstead Heath or the Peak District.

Conclusion:

While September does not start with an official bank holiday for the UK (England, etc), it still offers a very satisfactory experience – a placid, pleasant trip into the culture of England. Whether it’s traditional festivals, seasonal foods, design festivals, or local harvests, you’ll witness excellent examples of the richness present in the spirit and rhythm of September.