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UK bank holidays 2025: how to double your days off this year
Take the right days off in 2025, and you can get extra long breaks in May, August and at Christmas without using up all of your annual leave
Here's how to get 55 days off work alongside your bank holidays in 2025 – using only 25 days of annual leave. Plus, a full list of 2025 UK bank holidays for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Every UK full-time worker is entitled to paid annual leave to use throughout the year, across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. But if you use those days wisely, by combining them with bank holidays and weekends, you can get more consecutive days off work.
For instance, take four days of leave over the August 2025 bank holiday, and you'll get nine days off for a longer summer break (if you include adjoining weekends).
Depending on your leave – or how you prioritise it – it’s also possible to book a bumper-length stint off over Christmas. Use seven days of annual leave (six in 2025 and one in 2026) and you'll get a 16-day break.
We’ve outlined the 2025 bank holidays below (along with those remaining in 2024), and how best to use them. For this, we've assumed you have 25 days of leave on top of bank holidays – though we’ve suggested an alternative at Easter for those with more days to use up.
When is the next bank holiday in England?
The next bank holiday in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is the early May bank holiday on Monday 5 May.
Will there be an extra bank holiday in 2025?
Unfortunately not. Despite rumours in November 2024 of an extra bank holiday given to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE day and VJ, the Prime Minister’s official spokesperson has confirmed this is not the case.
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Full list of UK bank holiday dates to take off in 2025
To more than double your time away from work in the coming year, book off the following 25 dates:
New Year’s Day: Thursday 2 January, Friday 3 January.
Easter bank holiday: Friday 11 April, Monday 14 April, Tuesday 15 April, Wednesday 16 April, Thursday 17 April.
Early May bank holiday: Tuesday 6 May, Wednesday 7 May, Thursday 8 May, Friday 9 May.
Spring / Late May bank holiday: Tuesday 27 May, Wednesday 28 May, Thursday 29 May, Friday 30 May.
August bank holiday: Tuesday 26 August, Wednesday 27 August, Thursday 28 August, Friday 29 August.
Christmas: Monday 22 December, Tuesday 23 December, Wednesday 24 December, Monday 29 December, Tuesday 30 December, Wednesday 31 December.
Other dates to consider taking off, if you have more than 25 days’ leave, or if you’d like to prioritise for a ‘bumper’ trip away after Easter:
Tuesday 22 April, Wednesday 23 April, Thursday 24 April, Friday 25 April, Monday 28 April, Tuesday 29 April, Wednesday 30 April, Thursday 1 May, Friday 2 May.
Need inspiration for a trip? Read our guide to holiday ideas in 2025
When is the Early May bank holiday in 2025?
The Early May Bank Holiday takes place on Monday 5 May 2025.
How to extend the Early May bank holiday
To get a longer break in early May, take off an additional four days from Tuesday 6 May. This means you’ll return to work refreshed on Monday 12 May, after more than a week off, — plenty of time for a European city break, or even to head off to the Canary Islands.
Annual leave days needed: 4
Actual days away from work: 9
Dates for the diary: Saturday 3 May – Sunday 11 May
When is the Spring / Late May bank holiday in 2025?
The Spring bank holiday takes place on Monday 26 May.
How to extend the Spring / Late May bank holiday
Take off the days following the bank holiday Monday (Tuesday 27 May – Friday 30 May), and you’ll bridge together two weekends, leaving you with a decent nine days off work.
Annual leave days needed: 4
Actual days away from work: 9
Dates for the diary: Saturday 24 May – Sunday 1 June
Where to go on holiday in May
Cape Town, Chicago and Vancouver – all great options for a trip in May – were highly rated in our review of the best world holiday destinations.
If you prefer to stay somewhere in the UK but want to steer clear of overcrowded, expensive capital cities, take a look at our review of the best city breaks in the UK, or plan an escape to the countryside near one of the UK’s best national parks.
Just be sure to find a reputable holiday cottage provider from our survey if you plan to book a self-catering break – and don't forget to pack some well-rated walking shoes if you're planning to check out some of the best UK walks as rated by Which? members.
When is the Summer / August bank holiday in 2025?
The Summer / August bank holiday takes place on Monday 25 August.
How to extend the August bank holiday
Just like with the Late May bank holiday, you can once again take four days’ leave and enjoy over a week off before heading back to work on Monday 1 September.
Annual leave days needed: 4
Actual days away from work: 9
Dates for the diary: Saturday 23 August – Sunday 31 August
Where to go on holiday in August
The Azores, Dalaman in Turkey and England’s own Tynemouth are among our recommendations of the best places to visit in August.
But if you’re keen to escape the summer heat, you might consider a relaxing stay somewhere like the German Riviera, Slovenia’s iconic Lake Bled or even an Arctic beach.
But make sure you book any trips with a trustworthy package holiday provider, whether you’re in the mood for a long-haul adventure or a fly and flop all-inclusive holiday in the sun.
When are the Christmas holidays in 2025?
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are both bank holidays, and fall on Thursday 25 December and Friday 26 December.
How to get a longer Christmas break in 2025
If you book off the run-up to Christmas, along with the days between Christmas and New Year’s Day, you’ll enjoy nearly two weeks off. Add another day from your 2026 allowance to bridge the gap into the following weekend, and you’ll get a bumper 16-day break.
Annual leave days needed: 6 from your 2025 allowance and 1 from your 2026 allowance
Actual days away from work: 12, or 16 if you use 1 day from your 2026 allowance
Dates for the diary: Saturday 20 December – Thursday 1 January (or Sunday 4 January if you choose a longer break).
Booking a cottage for the holiday season in 2025? Pick from one of our top-rated holiday cottage companies to avoid any nasty surprises.
How many bank holidays do we get in the UK?
England and Wales have eight bank holidays per year. Scotland has nine, and Northern Ireland have 10 days per year. See the dates for these below.
UK Bank Holidays 2025 - full list
See below for the full list of UK Bank Holidays in 2025, across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
When are the 2025 bank holidays in England and Wales?
Wednesday 1 January (New Year’s Day)
Friday 18 April (Good Friday)
Monday 21 April (Easter Monday)
Monday 5 May (Early May bank holiday)
Monday 26 May (Spring bank holiday)
Monday 25 August (Summer bank holiday)
Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day)
Friday 26 December (Boxing Day)
When are the 2025 bank holidays in Scotland?
Wednesday 1 January (New Year's Day)
Thursday 2 January
Friday 18 April (Good Friday)
Monday 5 May (Early May bank holiday)
Monday 26 May (Spring bank holiday)
Monday 4 August (Summer bank holiday)
Monday 1 December (St Andrew's Day substitute)
Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day)
Friday 26 December (Boxing Day)
When are the 2025 bank holiday in Northern Ireland?
Wednesday 1 January (New Year's Day)
Monday 17 March (St Patrick's Day)
Friday 18 April (Good Friday)
Monday 21 April (Easter Monday)
Monday 5 May (Early May bank holiday)
Monday 26 May (Spring bank holiday)
Monday 14 July (Battle of the Boyne / Orangemen's Day, substitute day)
Monday 25 August (Summer bank holiday)
Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day)
Friday 26 December (Boxing Day)
Planning a holiday? Check out our package holiday company reviews before parting with your money to ensure you book with a company you can count on
Are there always eight bank holidays in UK?
In England, typically, yes. In recent years, though, we’ve seen additional bank holidays to commemorate significant events such as royal coronations and jubilees. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, there are usually nine and 10 respectively.
Why are UK bank holidays always on a Monday?
This is thanks to a royal proclamation that means any bank holiday that falls on a weekend day should automatically become a Monday.
Are bank holidays a legal requirement in the UK?
No. Your employer can decide whether you can take off bank holidays, and whether or not these are included in your annual paid leave entitlement.
What's the difference between a public holiday and a bank holiday?
These words are sometimes used interchangeably to mean the same thing: a paid day off work. Originally, a ‘bank holiday’ has been used to describe a day during which banks and businesses are closed, whereas a ‘public holiday’ is used to describe days such as Christmas Day in England and Wales. In short, the difference is historical, and has no difference, practically speaking.
