If you have ever heard someone in Britain say they are looking forward to the next bank holiday, you might have wondered: what is a bank holiday, exactly? The term is used constantly across the United Kingdom, yet many people are unsure what it really means, where it comes from, and whether it is the same thing as a public holiday. This guide explains it all in plain English.
Where the term bank holiday comes from
The phrase dates back to the Bank Holidays Act of 1871 in the United Kingdom. Before that law, banks observed more than thirty saints days and religious festivals as holidays, closing their doors each time. The 1871 Act cut that list down to a fixed set of official days on which banks were permitted to close. Because banks closed, many other businesses followed suit, and the name stuck. Over time, bank holidays became the standard term in the UK for official days off observed across the country.
Today, the exact list is set each year by the government. In England and Wales there are normally eight bank holidays a year, announced well in advance so employers, schools and businesses can plan around them.
Bank holiday vs public holiday: is there a difference?
In everyday British conversation, the two terms are used interchangeably, and for most people there is no practical difference. Technically, a bank holiday is a day on which banks are officially allowed to close, while a public holiday is a broader term for any day of national observance. In the UK the official list covers both meanings at once, so you can treat them as the same thing.
One thing worth knowing: a bank holiday is not automatically a day off work for everyone. There is no general legal right in the UK to take bank holidays off or to be paid extra for working them. Whether you get the day off depends on your employment contract. Many full-time contracts include bank holidays in the annual leave allowance, but shift workers, retail staff and emergency workers often work through them.
The UK bank holidays in 2026
For 2026, the bank holidays in England and Wales fall on the following dates:
- Thursday 1 January — New Year’s Day
- Friday 3 April — Good Friday
- Monday 6 April — Easter Monday
- Monday 4 May — Early May bank holiday
- Monday 25 May — Spring bank holiday
- Monday 31 August — Summer bank holiday
- Friday 25 December — Christmas Day
- Monday 28 December — Boxing Day (substitute day, since 26 December falls on a Saturday)
Notice how several of them land on Mondays or Fridays, creating long weekends. The Easter pairing of Good Friday and Easter Monday gives a four-day weekend from 3 to 6 April, and Christmas Day on a Friday followed by the substitute Boxing Day on Monday 28 December creates another four-day break.
What closes on a bank holiday?
Banks and most government offices close on bank holidays. Schools are typically closed as well, and many (though not all) private businesses shut their doors or run reduced hours. Public transport usually operates on a Sunday or reduced timetable, so it is worth checking schedules before travelling.
Shops are a mixed picture. Large supermarkets and high-street stores often open with shorter hours, especially in England and Wales, while smaller independent shops may close entirely. Restaurants, pubs, cinemas and tourist attractions generally stay open — and are often busier than usual, since so many people have the day off.
Do you get paid for bank holidays?
This is one of the most common questions, and the honest answer is: it depends on your contract. Many salaried employees receive bank holidays as paid leave on top of their standard holiday allowance. Others have contracts where bank holidays are counted within the total annual leave, meaning a bank holiday simply uses up one of those days. Part-time workers should receive a pro-rata equivalent. If you are unsure, check your written statement of employment or ask your HR department — and do it before the holiday, not after.
Understanding what a bank holiday is helps you plan better, whether that means booking travel before prices rise, arranging childcare, or simply knowing which Monday mornings you get to sleep in.