2025 is just around the corner, and you might already be dreaming of your summer getaway, planning fun-filled days out with the kids, or eyeing up hotels for that much-needed spa weekend.
Whatever plans you’ve got brewing, it’s amazing how quickly your annual leave can vanish. But don’t worry – we’ve got a handy trick to help you stretch your holidays further, thanks to the magic of England and Wales’ bank holidays!
Here’s the full lineup for 2025:
- New Year’s Day – Wednesday 1st January
- Good Friday – Friday 18th April
- Easter Monday – Monday 21st April
- Early May Bank Holiday – Monday 5th May
- Spring Bank Holiday – Monday 26th May
- Summer Bank Holiday – Monday 25th August
- Christmas Day – Thursday 25th December
- Boxing Day – Friday 26th December
April and May offer some especially exciting opportunities. By taking just 2 days of annual leave on Thursday 17th April and Tuesday 22nd April, you’ll unlock a lovely 6-day break.
With a bit of strategic planning, you can stretch your holidays even further and make the most of your allowance. Here are some top tips to maximise your time off in 2025:
Making the most of May
The Early May Bank Holiday on Monday 5th May and the Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 26th May, present great opportunities to enjoy longer breaks. By booking 4 days of annual leave around either bank holiday (Tuesday to Friday), you can create a 9-day break for yourself. Perfect for a family holiday, a mini-adventure, or just some well-earned rest.
Summer bliss in August
The Summer Bank Holiday on Monday 25th August marks the ideal chance to bid farewell to summer in style. Book the 4 days before or after the holiday, and you’ll have another 9-day window to enjoy warm August evenings, whether that’s with a beach getaway or BBQs with friends.
A festive finish
And here’s to really pushing the boat out – if you happen to have 6 days of annual leave left at the end of the year, you can book the 3 days before Christmas (Monday to Wednesday) and the 3 days after the festive weekend (Monday to Wednesday), giving yourself a cosy 13-day holiday. It’s the perfect way to soak up the magic of the season and recharge for 2026!
Plan ahead for your 2025
It just goes to show, with a little creativity and forward planning, you can make your annual leave go further – and give yourself more time to enjoy the things you love most.
Take away the stress of managing leave with HR Planner
Say goodbye to messy spreadsheets! HR Planner’s staff holiday planner gives you a central, real-time tracker that keeps you in the loop with past and future absences and holiday allowances. With a smarter, streamlined way to book time off and manage staff absences, you can plan better and work more efficiently.
Start your 14-day free trial of HR Planner today and explore the fantastic features designed to make managing your HR effortless. Have questions? Give us a call at 01252 636070 – we’re here to help!