Start the New Year off the right way – with lots of lovely leave to look forward to
As many employees struggle to get enough time off work, a TikTok trend trend has revealed a clever way to maximise annual leave in 2025.
With some strategic planning, we can achieve extended breaks while using fewer days leave – giving us longer holidays throughout the year.
Here in the UK, almost all people classed as workers are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks’ paid holiday a year. While that figure may sound generous, it doesn’t take long for it to get used up pretty quickly.
Perfectly timed for the New Year booking frenzy, the holiday experts at Parkdean Resorts have shared some easy booking hacks to give you more time off in 2025.
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With a bit of smart planning, getting more days off is a synch. Here’s how to do it:
Maximise your annual leave in April
Employees can get the double the days off in April, thanks to the Good Friday and Easter Monday bank holidays.
If you book off Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 17 2025, as well as Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, April 25 2025, you can enjoy a whopping 16 consecutive days off work for just eight days of annual leave.
Take advantage of May’s Bank Holidays
May offers several opportunities for long breaks, thanks to multiple bank holidays. By booking four days off between Tuesday, May 6 to Friday, May 9 or Tuesday, May 27 to Friday, May 30, employees can enjoy nine consecutive days off.
For those looking for an even longer holiday, booking all eight days off will extend the break to 16 days in total.
Enjoy summer with an August break
August is a great month for a summer holiday, and workers can maximise their time off with just four days of annual leave.
By booking leave from Tuesday, August 26 to Friday, August 29, it’s possible to enjoy nine consecutive days off, perfect for soaking up the sun without using up too many leave days.
Lengthen your Christmas break
To make the most of the Christmas holidays, booking just six days off between Monday, December 22 to Wednesday, December 24 and Monday, December 29 to Wednesday, December 31 will give workers a very festive 13 consecutive days off.
For an even longer festive break, booking Thursday, January 2 and Friday, January 3 2026 will extend the holiday period by five more consecutive days, allowing employees to ease into the New Year.
Need something to do with all that extra time off? Parkdean Resorts offers three day breaks from as little as £99, with fun packed deals available through the year, including the school holidays.
Alternatively, Haven Hideaway breaks offer caravan accommodation by the coast from £49, and Sykes Cottages has cottage stays starting from £230.
