Bank Holidays
Historially, public holidays in Britain are called “Bank Holidays” as they are days when banks are officially closed and therefore (traditionally) other businesses would close as they could not operate.
Bank and Public Holidays in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
The expected dates of bank and public holidays in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are as follows:
2008 Bank Holidays
| New Year’s Day (Bank Holiday) | 1st January |
|---|---|
| Good Friday (Public Holiday) | 21st March |
| Easter Monday (Bank Holiday) | 24th March |
| Early May (Bank Holiday, First Monday in May) | 5th May |
| Spring Bank Holiday (Last Monday in May) | 26th May |
| Summer Bank Holiday (Last Monday in August) | 25th August |
| Christmas Day (Public Holiday) | 25th December |
| Boxing Day (Bank Holiday) | 26th December |
| New Year’s Day (Bank Holiday) | 1st January |
|---|---|
| January 2nd | 2nd January |
| Good Friday (Public Holiday) | 21st March |
| Easter Monday (Bank Holiday) | 24th March |
| Easter Monday is not an official holiday, but many companies still close. | |
| Early May (Bank Holiday, First Monday in May) | 5th May |
| Spring (Bank Holiday, Last Monday in May) | 26th May |
| Summer Bank Holiday (Last Monday in August) | 25th August |
| Summer Bank Holiday is not an official holiday but many banks still close. | |
| St Andrew’s Day (30th November or if on a weekend, the following Monday) | 1st December |
| Christmas Day Public Holiday | 25th December |
| Boxing Day Bank Holiday | 26th December |
| New Year’s Day Bank Holiday | 1st January |
|---|---|
| St Patrick’s Day | 17th March |
| Good Friday (Public Holiday) | 21st March |
| Easter Monday (Bank Holiday) | 24th March |
| Early May (Bank Holiday, First Monday in May) | 5th May |
| Spring (Bank Holiday, Last Monday in May) | 26th May |
| Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) | 14th July |
| Summer Bank Holiday (Last Monday in August) | 25th August |
| Christmas Day (Public Holiday) | 25th December |
| Boxing Day (Bank Holiday) | 26th December |
History of Bank Holidays
Since 1871, British Public Holidays where banks were shut have been known as Bank Holidays.
Good Friday and Christmas Day are not specified as Bank Holidays in England, Wales and Ireland because they were already recognised as common law holidays.
