Bank holidays 2025 and 2026

Family, Seasonal, Trends

Posted by Stephane Lawes on 1st November 2024

A father and son learn to fish outside Beach End cottage in Dartmouth, Devon.

Days made up of lazy lie-ins, country walks and hearty lunches; there’s something special about recharging on a bank holiday. It’s a real break from the stresses of daily life, so why wouldn’t you want to make that last as long as possible?

Below, we’ve detailed every bank holiday for 2025 and 2026 in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We've answered your most common bank holiday questions and explained how you can maximise your annual leave days to take full advantage of every public holiday. 

If the bank holiday dates for 2025 and 2026 have inspired you to book a getaway, then why not start planning today? Click the link below to explore our collection of self-catering holiday cottages and find the perfect base for your break. 

Self-catering cottages


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A family walk along the beach together holding a kite.

UK bank holidays FAQs

Bank holidays are public holidays that give most industries across the UK a day off from work. Whilst this used to happen when banks would close and businesses couldn’t operate, the term now simply means a designated public holiday.

No, the number of bank holidays differs between the countries that make up the UK. While England and Wales each have eight, Scotland has nine, and Northern Ireland tops the list with ten. 

Beyond the standard number of bank holidays, some special occasions warrant an additional day, such as royal jubilees and coronations, and national commemorations such as VE Day.

In 2025, England will have 8 days of bank holidays, Scotland will have 9 days, and Northern Ireland will have ten bank holidays. 

Yes, but only in Scotland. England, Wales and Northern Ireland do not observe 2 January as a bank holiday.


An old stone bridge and pretty cottage in Wales on a cloudy day.

England and Wales bank holidays

Find all eight bank holidays for 2025 and 2026 in England and Wales below. Our two bordering countries share the same calendar when it comes to public holidays, which might leave you wondering why St David's Day isn't on the list. While there is growing support for St David's Day to be a national day in Wales, the UK Government denied Wales' request in 2022, but it's still an ongoing debate. 

2025

  • New Year's Day: Wednesday 1 January 
  • Good Friday: Friday 18 April 
  • Easter Monday: Monday 21 April 
  • Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 5 May 
  • Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 26 May 
  • Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 25 August 
  • Christmas Day: Thursday 25 December 
  • Boxing Day: Friday 26 December

2026

  • New Year's Day: Thursday 1 January 
  • Good Friday: Friday 3 April 
  • Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 
  • Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4 May 
  • Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25 May 
  • Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 31 August 
  • Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 
  • Boxing Day: Monday 28 December (substitute day)

A steam train passes over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Scottish Highlands.

Scotland bank holidays

Uncover Scotland's nine bank holidays through 2025 and 2026 below. The list is slightly different to those of England and Wales – while Scotland doesn't celebrate Easter Monday, the country reserves a unique public holiday for 2 January, and St Andrew's Day on 30 November. 

2025

  • New Year's Day: Wednesday 1 January 
  • 2nd January Bank Holiday: Thursday 2 January 
  • Good Friday: Friday 18 April 
  • Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 5 May 
  • Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 26 May 
  • Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 4 August 
  • St Andrew's Day: Monday 1 December (substitute day)
  • Christmas Day: Thursday 25 December 
  • Boxing Day: Friday 26 December

2026

  • New Year's Day: Thursday 1 January 
  • 2nd January Bank Holiday: Friday 2 January
  • Good Friday: Friday 3 April 
  • Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4 May 
  • Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25 May 
  • Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 3 August 
  • St Andrews Day: Monday 30 November 
  • Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 
  • Boxing Day: Monday 28 December (substitute day)

Holiday cottages in Scotland


A lady and her dog stood on a rock overlooking the Northern Ireland countryside.

Northern Ireland bank holidays

With ten bank holidays each year, Northern Ireland tops the list of UK countries with the most public holidays. The extra dates include St Patrick's Day in March and Orangemen's Day (Battle of the Boyne) in July. 

2025

  • New Year's Day: Wednesday 1 January 
  • St Patrick's Day: Monday 17 March
  • Good Friday: Friday 18 April 
  • Easter Monday: Monday 21 April 
  • Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 5 May 
  • Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 26 May 
  • Orangemen’s Day: Monday 14 July (substitute day)
  • Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 25 August 
  • Christmas Day: Thursday 25 December 
  • Boxing Day: Friday 26 December

2026

  • New Year's Day: Thursday 1 January 
  • St Patrick's Day: Tuesday 17 March
  • Good Friday: Friday 3 April 
  • Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 
  • Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4 May 
  • Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25 May 
  • Orangemen’s Day: Monday 13 July (substitute day) 
  • Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 31 August 
  • Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 
  • Boxing Day: Monday 28 December (substitute day)

Holiday cottages in Northern Ireland


A young family walk through a field on a sunny day.

Maximising annual leave using bank holidays in 2025

If you're eyeing up next year's bank holidays and wondering how you can maximise them using annual leave in 2025, then find our top tips below. 

In England and Wales, 18 days of annual leave can result in 44 days off. In Scotland, 19 well-timed days of annual leave results in 49 days away from work, while in Northern Ireland, 23 days of annual leave could land you with an impressive 53 days of holiday. 

England and Wales

  • Easter: Use 4 days of annual leave (April 22–25) to get 10 days off (April 18–27) 
  • Early May: Use 4 days of annual leave (May 6–9) to get 9 days off (May 3–11) 
  • Spring: Use 4 days of annual leave (May 27–30) to get 9 days off (May 24–June 1) 
  • Christmas/New Year: Use 6 days of annual leave (December 22–24 and 28–31) to get 16 days off (December 20–January 5)

Scotland 

  • New Year: Use 1 day of annual leave (January 3) to get 5 days off (January 1–5)
  • Easter: Use 4 days of annual leave (April 22–25) to get 10 days off (April 18–27) 
  • Early May: Use 4 days of annual leave (May 6–9) to get 9 days off (May 3–11) 
  • August Summer Holiday: Use 4 days of annual leave (August 5–8) to get 9 days off (August 2–10) 
  • Christmas/New Year: Use 6 days of annual leave (December 22–24 and 29–31) to get 16 days off (December 20–January 5)

Northern Ireland 

  • St Patrick's Day: Use 4 days of annual leave (March 18–21) to get 9 days off (March 15–23)
  • Easter: Use 4 days of annual leave (April 22–25) to get 10 days off (April 18–27)
  • Early May: Use 4 days of annual leave (May 6–9) to get 9 days off (May 3–11)
  • Orangemen's Day: Use 5 days of annual leave (July 14–18) to get 9 days off (July 12–20)
  • Christmas/New Year: Use 6 days of annual leave (December 22–24 and 29–31) to get 16 days off (December 20–January 5)

Start planning your bank holiday getaway

If the bank holiday dates have inspired you to book a getaway, why not start planning today? In England, the Lake District and Peak District national parks provide solitude and natural beauty, while Cornwall, Devon and Dorset offer a scenic retreat to the coast. Wales beckons with the dramatic Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons national parks, as does the country's sun-soaked Pembrokeshire coastline

Celebrate Hogmanay with a getaway to Scotland, retreating to The Highlands or further north to the Scottish Isles. City breaks also await, with the likes of Edinburgh and St Andrews topping the list. And with our new collection of cottages in Northern Ireland, you can plan a holiday in verdant County Antrim, County Fermanagh, and plenty more. 

Whatever your holiday wish list looks like, and wherever your favoured destination, our collection of UK holiday cottages is sure to offer you the perfect base. 

Self-catering cottages

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.