Are trains running on August bank holiday weekend 2026?
Yes, trains will be running over the August Bank Holiday Weekend between Saturday 29th August and Monday 31st August 2026 (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the bank holiday is on Monday 31st).
However, there may also be a considerable number of engineering and improvement projects taking place on certain train routes during the August Bank Holiday weekend. It’s important to check ahead of time so you can best plan your route. See below for more details.
Don’t forget, you can view live train time information by searching for your journey in our app. You can also search using our Journey Planner above.
Major engineering works taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend
Engineering work will be taking place on several routes over the August Bank Holiday weekend from 29th to 31st August. We'll update this page when more information is available on all planned engineering works.
For more details on individual engineering works updates, visit our train engineering works page.
LNER
Major engineering work is scheduled for Sunday 30th August. There will be no direct LNER services to or from London King’s Cross.
LNER services will start and terminate at Peterborough, where rail replacement coaches will run to and from Bedford to connect with Thameslink services to London St Pancras. Please allow extra time for your journey, as services may be busier than usual and journey times will be longer.
Chiltern Railways
An amended timetable will operate across the weekend.
Some services will be diverted, and late-night buses will replace trains on Sunday 30th August due to an event at Wembley Stadium.
London Northwestern Railway
On Sunday 30th August, buses will replace trains between Wolverhampton and Stafford.
On Monday 31st, buses will replace trains between Milton Keynes Central and Northampton after 22:30.
Greater Anglia & Stansted Express
Most services will run as normal.
However, late-night diversions will affect trains on the Seven Sisters line on Monday 31st August.
Popular UK train journeys for August Bank Holiday weekend 2026
Want to explore the UK this August Bank Holiday, but not sure where to go? We're here to help! Here are some of the most popular routes for the August Bank Holiday:
6 of the best events to attend on August Bank Holiday weekend and how to get there by train
This year, the Summer Bank Holiday weekend takes place between Saturday 29th August to Monday 31st August 2026. Up and down the country, there’ll be plenty of events going on so you can make the most of your long weekend.
Planning on travelling somewhere new for the bank holiday weekend? We’ve compiled a list of our top 6 events to attend on the August Bank Holiday weekend – and of course, we’ll explain how to get there by train!
1. Reading and Leeds Festival 2026
When? Thursday 27th – Sunday 30th August 2026
Where?
- Leeds Festival: Bramham Park, Wetherby, Leeds, LS23 6ND
- Reading Festival: Richfield Avenue, Reading, RG1 8EQ
Reading and Leeds Festival is one of the UK’s most renowned music festivals. With featured artists such as Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Florence + The Machine and Raye, Reading and Leeds is welcoming artists from across the genre spectrum. So, if you love live music, head down to Reading or Leeds this Summer Bank Holiday weekend.
How to get there:
- Leeds: Take the train to Leeds train station. From there, you can take the festival bus that will take you direct to Bramham Park. Alternatively, there is a shuttle bus that takes you close to the festival grounds.
- Reading: Catch the train to Reading train station and take the festival bus straight to Richfield Avenue.
2. Notting Hill Carnival
- When? Saturday 29th – Monday 31st August 2026
- Where? Westbourne Grove, London
The Notting Hill Carnival is the largest free street festival in Europe. Choose from over 300 food stalls and bars, listen to the sounds of the carnival with DJs and steel bands, and get involved with the festivities.
- How to get there:
- Take the train to Paddington station. From here it’s a 20-minute walk to get to Westbourne Grove.
- Or you can take the train to Paddington station and catch the Elizabeth line, Circle, Bakerloo or Hammersmith & City lines.
3. Battersea Park in Concert
- When? Saturday 28th - Monday 31st August 2026
- Where? Battersea Park Rd, London, SW11 4NJ
If you love live music and open-air concerts, Battersea Park in Concert has three nights of entertainment — Symphonic Disco, A Night at the Movies and Jools Holland.
How to get there: Take the train to Battersea Park station. From there, it’s just a short 5 minute walk to Battersea Park.
4. Foodies Festival
- When? Saturday 29th – Monday 31st August 2026
- Where? South Park, Oxford, OX3 0EB
At the Oxford Foodies Festival, you’ll be able to watch demonstrations from Michelin-starred chefs and MasterChef champions, learn how to make show-stopping cakes with stars from the Great British Bake Off and eat a range of different street food from around the world.
How to get there: Take the train to Oxford. From there, you can get a bus to South Park, which takes around 25 minutes. Buses leave from outside the station.
5. All About Dogs Show, Norfolk
- When? Sunday 30th – Monday 31st August 2026
- Where? Norfolk Showground, Dereham Road, New Costessey, Norwich, NR5 0TT
Bring your dogs to the All About Dogs show to take part in activities testing their agility, recall and lure racing. Shop, sell or compete throughout the day. Will your dog be Best in Show? You can even camp at the Showground if you want to make a weekend of it.
- How to get there: Take the train to Norwich station. From the station or the city centre, you can then catch a bus to the Showground, which can take around an hour.
6. Manchester Pride Festival
- When? Friday 28th – Monday 31st August 2026
- Where? Greater Manchester
Whether you want to watch the Pride Parade, take part in some of the family events or party the night away in Manchester’s Gay Village, the city’s annual Pride Festival has it all. Many events are free, while others are ticketed (with a donation to Manchester Pride Community Fund as part of the ticket price).
- How to get there: Get the train to Manchester Piccadilly station. There are events all over the city centre, so you can walk, catch a tram or hop on a bus to get to where you want to go.
Cheap train tickets for the bank holiday weekend
If you are travelling by train this bank holiday weekend, we want to make sure you get there as cheaply as possible. Here are some tips for finding the cheapest train tickets.
Book in advance
Keep your eyes peeled for Advance tickets – they are usually released around 12 weeks before the departure date and tend to be cheaper than buying on the day.
Use a Railcard
You can save 1/3 of eligible train journeys across the UK with a Railcard – all for just £30 a year! From Railcards for certain ages to groups or people travelling in certain areas, see which one you’re eligible for. Find out more about buying digital Railcards online with us.
Get split tickets
Did you know it’s sometimes cheaper to split your train journey into sections rather than buying one ticket? Our clever app feature SplitSave does this all for you! Find out more about SplitSave.
UK airport transfers by train
If you're planning on jetting off on holiday this August Bank Holiday, why not get to the airport by train? Many of the UK's biggest airports are served by convenient train links, allowing you to save money on parking or taxis. Here are our guides to getting to some of the most important airports in the UK by train:
Explore Europe by train
Why not travel by train in Europe this August? Enjoy warmer temperatures on a city break to some of Europe's most popular destinations. Here are some of the top routes by train:
Find out more about train travel in the UK
Want to find out more about where trains can take you in the UK? You're in luck. With an extensive rail network, it's easy to reach cities, beaches, National Parks and events by train this summer. Read our travel guides to find out more.