How many bank holidays are there in the UK?

What is a UK bank holiday?

Bank holidays are public days off when most banks and many workplaces close. They celebrate important events, religious festivals or national traditions.

If you’re among those who don’t have to work on a bank holiday, it’s a great chance to spend time with loved ones, go out and have fun or get jobs around the home or garden done.

Lots of people use bank holidays to take short trips, either in the UK or to another country. If you’re planning a trip like that, even a short one, it’s smart to get travel insurance. We’ll explain why later.

How many bank holidays are there per year?

The number of bank holidays in the UK depends on where you live. It usually ranges from 8 to 10:

• England and Wales have 8
• Scotland has 9
• Northern Ireland has 10

Some years an extra bank holiday may be added for special events, like royal celebrations.

Bank holiday calendar 2026-27

UK bank holiday dates 2026-27

Here’s a combined view of upcoming UK bank holidays for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern.

Always check GOV.UK for the official calendar, which has tabs for each of the UK nations.

Heading abroad on a bank holiday weekend

With bank holidays a great chance to take a short break, it’s no surprise lots of people use them to visit places in Europe. Some even add an extra day so they can travel and explore over four days.

Many European cities are just a quick flight away. So you can discover somewhere new, try different foods and still be back in time for work or school on Tuesday.

Europe’s a great choice because:

• Flights from the UK usually take less than three hours
• Budget airlines make it affordable
• You get a whole new experience in just a few days
• Southern Europe often has warmer weather (check where is hot now)
• Public transport makes it easy to get around

10 great European spots for a bank holiday weekend

If the continent is calling, here are a few ideas for places to take a bank holiday trip.

1. Paris, France: Take the Eurostar on Friday evening and arrive in time for dinner. Spend Saturday visiting the Louvre and seeing the Mona Lisa. On Sunday, explore the artistic streets of Montmartre and enjoy a crêpe. On Monday, walk along the River Seine and relax before heading home. Read our France guide
2. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Ride a bike around the canals and take in the scenic views. Visit the Van Gogh Museum for famous paintings. In the evening, enjoy a canal cruise with lights reflecting on the water. Try tasty snacks at a local street food market before you leave
3. Barcelona, Spain: Marvel at Gaudí’s amazing Sagrada Família or Park Güell and take photos of the colourful buildings. Walk along Las Ramblas and watch street performers. Eat delicious tapas at a local café. Spend some time relaxing at the beach before flying back. Read our Spain guide
4. Rome, Italy: Step back in time at the Colosseum and visit Vatican City to see St Peter’s Basilica. Throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain for good luck. Enjoy pizza, pasta or a coffee at a piazza café. Climb the Spanish steps for views over the city. And fly home on Monday evening after soaking up all the history. Read our Italy guide
5. Lisbon, Portugal: Hop on the famous yellow tram 28 to see the city’s hills and sights. Try grilled sardines and custard tarts. Take a day trip to Sintra to explore magical palaces and gardens. Enjoy sunset views from a rooftop spot before heading back
6. Dublin, Ireland: Walk through the city’s Georgian streets and visit the beautiful Trinity College Library. Learn about Irish history at museums. End your trip with live music and dancing in Temple Bar, a lively part of town with lots of fun. Read our Ireland guide
7. Berlin, Germany: Visit the Berlin Wall memorials and learn about the city’s past. Or tour the Reichstag building with its blend of old and new architecture. See the Brandenburg Gate and take photos. Explore cool cafés in quirky neighbourhoods. Try currywurst or other local dishes before your flight home
8. Prague, Czech Republic: Cross the famous Charles Bridge and enjoy views of the river. Climb up to Prague Castle and explore its towers and gardens. In the evening, relax by the riverside and watch the city lights sparkle. The local currency is the Czech koruna
9. Budapest, Hungary: Soak in the warm Széchenyi thermal baths and feel refreshed. Visit Buda Castle for amazing views of the city. Take a night-time cruise on the Danube River and see the buildings lit up beautifully. You’ll need some Hungarian forint currency for your trip
10. Copenhagen, Norway: Ride a bike to the colourful harbour of Nyhavn and take photos of the boats. Visit Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest theme parks. Try Nordic street food like open sandwiches and cinnamon buns before heading home. Don’t forget your Norwegian krone currency

Read more: planning a European city break on a budget

Things to do in the UK on a bank holiday

If you're in the UK for the bank holiday weekend, there are lots of fun things to do, whether you're staying close to home or going on a little trip. From beaches to castles, there’s something for everyone in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

• Love history? You can visit castles, ruins and impressive stately homes around the UK. Groups like English Heritage, the National Trust, Historic Environment Scotland, Cadw (in Wales) and the National Trust in Northern Ireland take care of these places and let people visit them
• Enjoy nature? You might like walking through beautiful gardens looked after by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society). Or you could go hiking in amazing places like Snowdonia in Wales, The Lake District in England and the Scottish Highlands. And the Giant’s Causeway is a must-see in Northern Ireland. It’s made of strange rock shapes and looks like something from a storybook
• Want to take it easy? You can go on a slow boat ride along canals in the Midlands or Norfolk. Or just relax on the beach in places like Cornwall, Pembrokeshire and Antrim
• Like cities and culture? You can visit museums, art galleries or go to live music shows in exciting cities like London, Glasgow or Cardiff. Lots of cities have fun things to see and do
• Love food and festivals? You can try local dishes on food trails or go to fun events. Some are big, like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and others are smaller, like local fairs and celebrations

No matter where you are in the UK, there’s always something nearby that’s fun, interesting or relaxing to discover.

Why travel insurance matters for short breaks

When you’re planning a trip for a bank holiday weekend, travel insurance might not be the first thing on your mind. But it can make the difference between a minor hiccup and a major financial loss.

Even short breaks can run into problems. Missed flights, lost luggage, stolen passports or sudden illness can quickly ruin a weekend away. Travel insurance is there to give you financial protection and peace of mind.

It might be tempting to risk a European trip without insurance, for instance, thinking a short break won’t matter. But even a simple accident can result in thousands of pounds in costs, which travellers then have to pay out of their own pocket.

Choosing a policy with good coverage before you go might safeguard against issues like these.

• Medical expenses: If you fall ill abroad, medical bills can add up fast. A short hospital stay in Europe can cost hundreds of pounds. Emergency treatment or repatriation to the UK can cost thousands. Insurance may help cover these costs, so you’re not left facing an unexpected bill
• Trip cancellation: If illness, accidents or family emergencies stop you travelling, cancellation cover may help you recover the money you’ve already spent on flights, hotels and tours
• Lost, damaged or stolen belongings: Having your phone, wallet or passport stolen, damaged or mislaid is disruptive and often expensive. Insurance may help replace essential items
• Travel disruption: Delayed flights, missed connections and airline strikes are stressful. With the right policy, you can reclaim costs for missed accommodation or rearranged transport
• Personal liability: If you’re held legally responsible for accidentally injuring someone or damaging property while abroad, insurance can help cover legal and compensation costs

Read about why you shouldn’t travel without insurance

What is a Ghic and why do you need one?

If you're going on holiday to a country in European Economic Area (EAA), it's a good idea to take a Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) or a valid European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) if you still have one.

If you get sick or hurt while you're away, they help you get medical care in the EAA and, depending on the card, some other countries. You’ll be treated like someone who lives there. That means:

• Sometimes the care is free
• Other times, you might pay less than you would without one

It’s free to get a Ghic on the NHS website It lasts for five years. But it doesn’t cover everything:

• It won’t pay for private hospitals or clinic
• It won’t pay to fly you back home if you’re really sick (called repatriation
• It won’t cover things like lost luggage, missed flights or stolen stuff

So, while the Ghic is important to have, you still need travel insurance to be fully protected.

Read more about Ghic and what it does and doesn’t cover