Find out when bank holidays are in England- including past and future ones – as the UK is weeks away from celebrating Good Friday and Easter Monday. How can workers make the most of their time off from work?
As the UK enjoys an early start to spring, with longer days and the promise of warmer weather ahead, many of us are already dreaming of sunny days and how to make the most of the bank holidays. Whether it’s a short break or a longer getaway, UK bank holidays are the perfect opportunity to plan some time off.
In the UK, we have eight bank holidays each year, and while we’ve already enjoyed New Year ’s Day, the next one to look forward to is Good Friday, which is just around the corner. In just under a month, the UK will be celebrating Good Friday, which falls on April 18, followed by Easter Monday on April 21. May also brings two more bank holidays: the Early May Bank Holiday on May 5 and the Spring Bank Holiday on May 26. These holidays offer the perfect opportunity for a long weekend or a short trip.
Interestingly, the UK’s bank holiday calendar is that the majority of holidays fall on a Monday. This is thanks to the ‘substitute day’ rule, which ensures that holidays falling during the week are moved to the following Monday, giving workers an extended weekend. This rule means that many of us get the chance to enjoy those extra days off, making them ideal for mini-breaks or getting out and about.
For those looking to maximise their annual leave in 2025, it’s worth considering how to strategically book your holidays around bank holidays. By taking a few days of annual leave around these long weekends, you can extend your time off and enjoy a much-needed break without using up too many of your 29 days of entitlement.
Here’s the full list of UK bank holidays for England and Wales in 2025:
- 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
With these dates in mind, now is the time to start planning. Whether you’re planning a relaxing staycation or a getaway to a sunny destination, UK bank holidays provide the perfect opportunity to recharge and explore.
By planning your leave wisely, you can make the most of your time off and ensure a year full of exciting holidays.
