Best September kids-free breaks

If you haven’t got children of your own, taking a break during the school holidays can seem a little daunting. Perhaps you’re a young couple looking for a quiet break away, but everywhere seems to be packed with people, with high season prices often reflecting the higher demand. However, come September, the kids will all be back in school, which means it’s the perfect time to book a peaceful get away. If you don’t have to structure your free time around the school holidays, here are some September breaks you should consider:

St. Ives, Cornwall

At the peak of the summer season, St. Ives can feel as busy as the city. But wait a few weeks until the little ones are back in classes, and the change is incredible. All of a sudden, there’s no battle for beach space or queues at the ice-cream van. But if you’re worried there won’t be anything to do, have no fear. Between 14th and 28th September the St. Ives Festival promises lots of interesting things to see and get involved with. Watch musical performances and theatre, visit special art and literary exhibitions, and even be a member of the audience for screenings of independent films made for the festival. Stay in our Hayle hotel to be just around the corner from the action.

Open Doors, Scotland

All over Scotland throughout August, the Open Doors Festival is offering free access to many unusual and normally off-limits historic buildings. Each weekend in August all sorts of monuments, grand homes, castles and little, quirky buildings are welcoming visitors. Book a room in one of our Edinburgh hotels to combine this with a visit to the beautiful city, then check up on the Open Doors website to find your perfect building to have a nosey around in.

Abergavenny, Wales

By the end of September, swimsuit season is all but over. And what better way to celebrate than by heading to one of the best food festivals in Wales? Abergavenny will host thousands of visitors for 21st and 22nd September, who’ll come from far and wide to see and taste the produce of Britain’s rising food talents. Enjoy tutored tastings, parties at the Castle, lectures, cookery classes, and a whole host of scrummy things to eat. Stay in our Newport Central hotel to be within stumbling distance of all that lovely food.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

The far reaches of Scotland might sound like the last place you’re likely to find a shimmering disco boat, but arrive at the Isle of Skye on 10th September, and that’s exactly what you’ll see. The Celeste, a boat covered by 60,000 mirror tiles, will be mooring in Portree to broadcast its music and stories from the island. The boat is the centrepiece of the Bonnie Boat festival, which sees the harbour taken over by arts and events for the whole day. Stay in our Fort William hotel for a nice break away and then make the day trip to Portree to enjoy all the festivities.

Isle of Skye