2026 UK Leave Planning, Turn 20 Leave Days into 45 Days Off

In the UK, bank holidays make it possible to dramatically extend your annual leave. With careful planning, you can turn 20 leave days into multiple long holidays in 2026.

Here is how to do it.

The Breakdown

1) January: New Year’s Day

Public holiday:
Thursday, 1 January

Take leave:
Friday 2 January, 1 leave day

Total time off:
4 days, from 1 January to 4 January

2) April: Easter

Public holidays:
Friday, 3 April, Good Friday
Monday, 6 April, Easter Monday

Take leave:
Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April, 4 leave days

Total time off:
10 days, from 3 April to 12 April

3) May: Early May Bank Holiday

Public holiday:
Monday, 4 May

Take leave:
Tuesday 5 May to Friday 8 May, 4 leave days

Total time off:
9 days, from 2 May to 10 May

4) May: Spring Bank Holiday

Public holiday:
Monday, 25 May

Take leave:
Tuesday 26 May to Friday 29 May, 4 leave days

Total time off:
9 days, from 23 May to 31 May

5) August: Summer Bank Holiday

Public holiday:
Monday, 31 August

Take leave:
Wednesday 26 August to Friday 28 August, 3 leave days

Total time off:
9 days, from 22 August to 30 August

6) December: Christmas and Boxing Day

Public holidays:
Friday, 25 December, Christmas Day
Monday, 28 December, Boxing Day observed

Take leave:
Monday 21 December to Thursday 24 December and Tuesday 29 December to Thursday 31 December, 7 leave days

Total time off:
12 days, from 19 December to 1 January

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