Two people standing in front of a campervan, while one is holding a card. Another woman is looking out of the open rooftop tent.

Make the Most of 2026 Bank Holidays

Get set for a year of adventure

If you’re always dreaming of your next adventure but are worried your annual leave won’t cover your plans, we’re here to help. As most UK bank holidays fall at the start or the end of a week, with some savvy planning, you can use the bank holidays to add extra days to your road trip without having to take any extra leave. Sound too good to be true? Keep reading to discover what dates the UK 2026 bank holidays fall and how you can plan your leave to maximise your time off so that 2026 becomes your year of adventure.

Bank Holidays in England & Wales
Bank Holidays in Scotland & Northern Ireland

Bank Holidays in England & Wales

If you live in England and Wales, you can look forward to eight public holidays in 2026. The majority fall in the spring and summer months, enabling you to take advantage of the better weather and plan a road trip right here in the UK. But if it’s winter sun you’re seeking, why not start planning a Christmas getaway and make the most of the three bank holidays falling over the festive season?

Spring

03 April | Good Friday

06 April | Easter Monday

Our tip: Take advantage of the long Easter weekend – explore the UK’s national parks or see the tulip fields on a road trip to the Netherlands.

4 May | Early May bank holiday

25 May | Spring bank holiday

Our tip: With May bank holidays at both ends of the month, plan a long weekend—take the Eurostar for a road trip through Normandy from Paris or hit the south coast for surf.

Summer

31 August | Summer bank holiday

Our tip: Make the most of the longer summer days with a road trip—explore Scotland’s North Coast 500 or Snowdonia National Park in Wales.

Winter

25 December | Christmas Day

28 December | Boxing Day (substitute day)

01 January | New Year’s Day

Our tip: Chase winter sun with a Christmas or New Year break—enjoy fewer crowds and sunshine on a road trip to southern Spain or Portugal.

Bank Holidays in Scotland and Northern Ireland

You’re in luck! If you live in Scotland, you get an extra day off in December, and in Northern Ireland, you get not one, but two extra bank holidays, in addition to the UK holidays. Below, we share when they fall and offer some inspiration on how to make the most of these extra days off.