Make the most of your annual leave in 2025 by strategically planning your time off around bank holidays. This way, you can maximise your relaxation time and enjoy longer breaks throughout the year. It’s crucial to understand your entitlement to paid leave, which is typically around 28 days for employees working a five-day week. Employers may not specify when you can take your holidays, so early booking is essential to secure your desired time off and avoid any clashes with co-workers’ schedules.
To kick off the year with a refreshing break, consider booking time off around the Easter holidays. Easter Sunday falls on April 20 in 2025, with the Good Friday Bank Holiday on April 18 and Easter Monday on April 21. By strategically booking your leave from April 14 to 17 or April 22 to 25, you can enjoy a 10-day break, including weekends, using only four days of annual leave. For an extended holiday, taking all eight days off will grant you a total of 16 days off work.
In May, take advantage of the bank holidays to secure additional days off. By booking four days off around the early May Bank Holiday on May 5 or the Spring Bank Holiday on May 26, you can enjoy nine consecutive days off work, including two weekends. In August, plan your leave around the bank holiday on August 25 to enjoy another nine-day break from August 26 to 29, encompassing two weekends.
As December approaches, plan your time off around the Christmas holidays. By booking December 22 to 24 off work, you can enjoy a nine-day break from December 20 to 29. Alternatively, take off December 29 to 31 and January 2 to extend your break to 11 days, including the weekend. By booking all seven working days off in December, you could enjoy a 16-day break from December 20 to January 5, perfect for fully immersing yourself in the festive season.
Remember to always confirm your time off before making any travel or holiday plans to avoid potential fees for rearranging or cancelling. With proper planning and utilisation of bank holidays, you can make the most of your annual leave allowance in 2025 to unwind and rejuvenate throughout the year.