Want to make the most of your time off in 2025? With some smart planning, you can stretch your 27 days of annual leave into a massive 59 days off, giving you plenty of opportunities to travel, relax, or enjoy well-earned rest. Here’s how to strategically book your leave around UK bank holidays to maximise your time away from work.
January 2025 – Start the Year with a Break
📅 Bank Holiday: Wednesday 1st January (New Year’s Day)
📝 Days to Book Off: Thursday 2nd, Friday 3rd January
✅ Total Days Off: 5 days (Wednesday 1st – Sunday 5th January)
Start 2025 the right way by taking just 2 leave days for a 5-day break. Want an even longer holiday? Book Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st December 2024 to extend your break to 9 days.
✈️ Top Travel Idea: Escape the winter blues with a Canary Islands beach holiday or a romantic city break in Prague.
April 2025 – Maximise Easter Annual Leave
📅 Bank Holidays: Friday 18th April (Good Friday), Monday 21st April (Easter Monday)
📝 Days to Book Off: Monday 14th – Thursday 17th & Tuesday 22nd – Friday 25th April
✅ Total Days Off: 16 days (Saturday 12th – Sunday 27th April)
Easter is one of the best times to take a long holiday with minimal leave. By booking just 8 days, you can enjoy 16 consecutive days off—ideal for a long-haul trip or an extended staycation.
🌸 Top Travel Idea: See Japan’s cherry blossoms, explore Italy’s Amalfi Coast, or enjoy a relaxing Greek island getaway.
May 2025 – Two Bank Holiday Getaways
🌿 Early May Bank Holiday
📅 Bank Holiday: Monday 5th May
📝 Days to Book Off: Tuesday 6th – Friday 9th May
✅ Total Days Off: 9 days (Saturday 3rd – Sunday 11th May)
☀️ Spring Bank Holiday
📅 Bank Holiday: Monday 26th May
📝 Days to Book Off: Tuesday 27th – Friday 30th May
✅ Total Days Off: 9 days (Saturday 24th – Sunday 1st June)
May is perfect for two separate 9-day breaks by using just 4 leave days per holiday. With warmer weather approaching, it’s a great time for a trip!
🌷 Top Travel Idea: Visit Amsterdam for tulip season, explore the Algarve’s golden beaches, or take a UK countryside retreat.
August 2025 – Summer Bank Holiday Escape
📅 Bank Holiday: Monday 25th August
📝 Days to Book Off: Tuesday 26th – Friday 29th August
✅ Total Days Off: 9 days (Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st August)
Secure your summer holiday by taking just 4 leave days for a 9-day getaway. Demand for leave is high in August, so book early!
🌞 Top Travel Idea: Opt for a UK staycation in Cornwall or Scotland, or fly to Spain, Portugal, Croatia, or the Greek Islands for guaranteed sunshine.
December 2025 – Extend Your Christmas & New Year Break
📅 Bank Holidays: Thursday 25th December (Christmas Day), Friday 26th December (Boxing Day)
📝 Days to Book Off: Monday 22nd – Wednesday 24th & Monday 29th – Wednesday 31st December
✅ Total Days Off: 12 days (Saturday 20th December – Thursday 1st January 2026)
End the year with 12 days off by using just 6 leave days—perfect for festive celebrations or a winter escape.
🎄 Top Travel Idea: Experience Lapland’s magical Christmas, or escape the cold with a tropical retreat to Thailand or the Maldives.
Bonus: Additional Leave Opportunities in Scotland & Northern Ireland
If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, take advantage of additional bank holidays:
- 📅 Scotland: Extra bank holiday on 2nd January—ideal for an extended New Year’s break.
- 📅 Northern Ireland: St Patrick’s Day (17th March) & Battle of the Boyne (12th July)—perfect for an extra getaway.
Final Breakdown: 59 Days Off Using Just 27 Leave Days
✅ January: 5 days off (using 2 leave days)
✅ April: 16 days off (using 8 leave days)
✅ May: 18 days off (using 8 leave days)
✅ August: 9 days off (using 4 leave days)
✅ December: 12 days off (using 6 leave days)
Total: 59 days off using just 27 leave days! 🎉
Final Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Annual Leave
✔️ Plan Early: Leave requests fill up fast, so submit your dates ASAP.
✔️ Check Your Company Policy: Some workplaces restrict leave around peak times—get approval early.
✔️ Use Remote & Flexible Working: If your job allows, combine remote working days to extend your time off.
✔️ Look for Travel Deals: Booking flights and accommodation early can save you £££ on your next holiday.
