Maximize Annual Leave With UK Bank Holidays

Under UK law, every employee has a legal right to paid annual leave each year. Full-time employees working five days a week receive 28 days (5.6 weeks) of paid leave. It may include bank holidays depending on the contract.

By booking annual leave around bank holidays and weekends, employees can enjoy longer breaks while using fewer leave days. Plan your leave dates around bank holidays, with your employer’s consent, to maximize your annual entitlement. We have prepared region-specific plans for your convenience.

How to turn 28 days of 2026 Annual leave into 51 Holiday days?

New Year’s Day Bank Holiday

At the start of the New Year, work is usually quiet. By taking 1 or 2 days off, employees can easily turn the New Year’s Day bank holiday into a longer break. Here is a simple and applicable plan to maximize the New Year’s Day Bank Holiday.

With 1 leave

Enjoy 4 Days off

Bank Holiday

1st January 2026

Take Leave   

Friday 2 January 2026

Week End    

Saturday 3rd to Sunday 4th Jan 2026

Days off

Thursday 1st  January to  Sunday 4th January 2026

St Patrick’s Day

St. Patririck’s Day is an important cultural and heritage Day in Irish society. Here is a plan to maximize your holiday into a long weekend.

With 4 leaves

Enjoy 9 Days off

Bank Holiday

Tuesday 17th March 2026

Take Leave   

Monday 16th March & Wednesday 18th Mach to Friday 20th March 2026

Week End    

Saturday 21st March to Sunday 22nd March 2026

Days off

Saturday 14th  March to Sunday 22nd  March = 9 Days

Easter Bank Holidays

Easter is an important Christian festival celebrated across the UK. The Easter bank holidays allow people to observe religious rituals and spend time with their families. By planning leave wisely, you can enjoy short domestic or regional trips as well

With 4 leaves

Enjoy 10 Days off

Bank Holiday

Good Friday 3rd  April to Easter Monday 6th  April 2026

Take Leave   

Tuesday 7th  April to Friday 10th  April 2026

Week End    

Saturday 11th April  to Sunday12th April 2026

Days off

Friday 3rd  April to Sunday 12th  April = 10 Days

Early May Bank Holiday

May Days are commonly attributed to the working class. Follow our schedule given below to maximize the joy of Early May Vank Holidays.

With 4 leaves

Enjoy 9 Days off

Bank Holiday

Monday 4th May 2026

Take Leave   

Tuesday 5th May to Friday 8th May 2026

Week End    

Saturday 9th May to Sunday 10th May 2026

Days off

Saturday 2nd May to Sun 10th  May = 9 Days

Spring Bank Holiday

Welcome the start of the new season with the Spring Bank Holiday and prolong the weekend with 4 annual leaves as under

With 4 leaves

Enjoy 9 Days off

Bank Holiday

Monday 25th May 2026

Take Leave   

Tuesday 26th May to Friday 29th May 2026

Week End    

Saturday 30th May to Sunday 1st  June 2026

Days off

Saturday 23rd May to Sun 1st June = 9 Days

Battle of Boyne

The Battle of the Boyne was fought in Ireland between William of Orange and James II in July 1690. This is a national Bank holiday in Northern Ireland. Plan your bank holiday with our suggested model.

With 4 leaves

Enjoy 9 Days off

Bank Holiday

Monday 13th July 2026

Take Leave   

Tuesday 14th July to Friday 17th July 2026

Week End    

Saturday 18th July to Sunday 19th July 2026

Days off

Saturday 14th  March to Sunday 22nd  March = 9 Days

Summer Bank Holiday

Summer Bank Holiday is a public holiday in the UK that marks the end of summer and gives people a long weekend to relax and travel.

With 4 leaves

Enjoy 9 Days off

Bank Holiday

Monday 31st August 2026

Take Leave   

Tuesday 1st September to Friday 4th September 2026

Week End    

Saturday 5th September to Sunday 6th  September 2026

Days off

Saturday 29th August to Sun 6th  September = 9 Days

St Andrew’s Day

St Andrew’s Day is celebrated every year on 30 November and is the national day of Scotland. It honors Scotland’s patron saint and celebrates Scottish culture, history, and traditions.

With 4 leaves

Enjoy 9 Days off

Bank Holiday

Monday 30th  November 2026

Take Leave   

Tuesday 1st December to Friday 4th December 2026

Week End    

Saturday 5th December to Sunday 6th  December 2026

Days off

Saturday 29th   November to Sun 6th  December= 9 Days

Christmas & Boxing Day Bank Holiday

Christmas week is the most cherished week of the year for Christianity around the UK. Christian and other communities in the UK welcome this week as a religious obligation and cultural festival. Maximize your Bank Holidays with little adjustment

With 3 leaves

Enjoy 10 Days off

Bank Holiday

Friday 25th December to Monday 28th  December 2026

Take Leave   

Tuesday 29th December  to Thursday 31st December 2026

Week End    

Friday 1st  January to Sunday 3rd  January 2027

Days off

Friday 25th December to  Sunday 3rd  January = 10 Days

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