UK bank holidays 2026: list of dates & long weekend planner
News
Here’s the full list of UK bank holiday dates for 2026, including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus how to make the most of long weekends.
Macaulay Nichol Content Editor: Caravans
Macaulay Nichol Content Editor: Caravans
Bank holidays 2026 in England, Wales and Scotland
Bank holidays 2026 in England and Wales
- 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)
Bank holidays 2026 in Scotland
- Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
- Friday 2 January – 2nd January holiday
- Friday 3 April – Good Friday
- Monday 4 May – Early May bank holiday
- Monday 25 May – Spring bank holiday
- Monday 3 August – Summer bank holiday
- Monday 30 November – St Andrew’s Day
- Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
- Monday 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute day)
Try our Campsite Finder!
We have an extensive database of campsites across the UK and Europe.
Whether you're looking for the perfect pitch for your motorhomes, caravans, tents or to hire glamping accommodation or a holiday home or lodge, our exclusive Campsite Finder will help you choose your next weekend break, midweek getaway or summer holiday in the UK or Europe.
Bank holidays 2026 in Northern Ireland (10 days)
Northern Ireland bank holiday dates 2026
- Thursday 1 January – New Year’s Day
- Tuesday 17 March – St Patrick’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 13 July – Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) (substitute day)
- Monday 31 August – Summer bank holiday
- Friday 25 December – Christmas Day
- Monday 28 December – Boxing Day (substitute day)
How to turn 2026 bank holidays into touring getaways
The Early May bank holiday and Spring bank holiday are both perfect for short touring breaks, the sort of holidays where you can finish work, hitch up and still wake up in a scenic location the next morning.
Read our top 2026 travel guides:
Want inspiration for where to go?
Want ideas for your next trip? Our 2026 holiday guide matches iconic UK sightseeing spots with nearby campsites that put you closer to the best views. Sightseeing is now the top holiday activity for Brits (48%) and in 2024 visitors spent £5.943 billion exploring on holiday. So, if you’re planning a break focused on viewpoints and heritage, these campsite pairings offer simple bases with good facilities and easy access to the best spots.
Keep it affordable
Costs are rising everywhere, from campsite fees to fuel, but you can still save without sacrificing comfort: travel off‑peak and book early, choose sites with bundled or fixed rates, plan routes and tow at steady lower speeds to cut fuel use and use membership discounts and comparison websites (such as our Campsite Finder tool) to find the most suitable campsites and last‑minute deals.
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