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Here are the confirmed public holidays you can plan around: Office Holidays
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
Below are strategic bookings to maximise time off in 2026 by combining weekends, bank holidays, and annual leave.
Bank holiday: Thu 1 Jan
Book off: Fri 2 Jan
Days of leave used: 1
Total time off: 4 days (Thu–Sun)
Use 1 day to get 4 days off
Bank holidays: Fri 3 Apr, Mon 6 Apr
Book off: Tue 31 Mar–Wed 1 Apr and Tue 7 Apr–Fri 10 Apr
Days of leave used: 8
Total time off: 16 days (Sat 28 Mar–Sun 12 Apr)
Use 8 days to get 16 days off
There are two Monday bank holidays in May.
Option A – Early May
Bank holiday: Mon 4 May
Book off: Tue 5–Fri 8 May
Days of leave used: 4
Total time off: 9 days (Sat 2–Sun 10 May)
Use 4 to get 9
Option B – Late May
Bank holiday: Mon 25 May
Book off: Tue 26–Fri 29 May
Days of leave used: 4
Total time off: 9 days (Sat 23–Sun 31 May)
Use 4 to get 9
(Taking both gives two long breaks in one month.)
Bank holiday: Mon 31 Aug
Book off: Tue 1–Fri 4 Sep
Days of leave used: 4
Total time off: 9 days (Sat 29 Aug–Sun 6 Sep)
Use 4 to get 9
This is one of the longest potential breaks, combining two public holidays at year’s end. The Independent
Bank holidays: Fri 25 Dec, Mon 28 Dec, plus New Year’s Day Fri 1 Jan 2027
Book off: Mon 21–Thu 24 Dec and Tue 29–Thu 31 Dec
Days of leave used: 7
Total time off: 16 days (Sat 19 Dec–Sun 3 Jan)
Use 7 to get 16
Here’s how your leave stacks up when planned across the year:
| Period | Leave Used | Days Off |
|---|---|---|
| New Year | 1 | 4 |
| Easter | 8 | 16 |
| Early May | 4 | 9 |
| Late May | 4 | 9 |
| Summer Bank | 4 | 9 |
| Christmas/New Year | 7 | 16 |
| Total (if all used) | 28 | 63 |
Use 28 days of annual leave to get up to 63 days off in 2026 (including weekends and bank holidays).
Submit requests early for popular break periods (Easter, May, Christmas).
Check your employer’s policy on bank holidays—some include them in annual leave, others don’t.
Build long weekends by always booking the work days between weekends and public holidays.
Once you’ve planned how to stretch your annual leave further, the next decision is how to spend that time in a way that genuinely feels worthwhile. Our Luxury Bespoke Lodges in Somerset, located just minutes from Cheddar Gorge, offer the ideal setting for a relaxing UK staycation at any time of year.
Whether you’re booking a spring long weekend, a summer bank holiday break, an autumn escape, or a post-festive reset, our lodges are designed to help you slow down and enjoy your time off.
Why book with us?
Individually designed luxury lodges in a peaceful Somerset location
Private decking areas with hot tubs
Optional log burners
Atmospheric star-lit courtyards
Spacious bathrooms with jacuzzi baths
Perfect for couples and short breaks, our luxury lodges make it easy to turn this annual leave hack into a memorable staycation. Fewer travel hours, more time to unwind, and accommodation that feels like a true retreat rather than just somewhere to sleep.
If you’re already planning your 2026 annual leave, booking ahead gives you the best choice of dates—especially around long weekends and bank holidays.
Check availability and start planning your Somerset staycation.