Introducing VividStay: Bringing UK Holidays to Life
Discover VividStay, Sykes Holiday Cottages' new visualisation technology that brings holiday homes to life, helping you picture your stay...
by Steph Boal / News
Last updated: 10th February 2026
If, like us, you want to plan ahead and maximise holiday time around UK bank holidays, then look no further than our handy guide that details everything you need to know about UK bank holidays in 2026 and 2027!
From bank holiday staycation ideas, to our very own bank holiday breaks finder, plus bank holiday getaway reviews from our customers, you’ll find all you need to know about UK bank holidays for 2026 and 2027.
Get ahead with our guide to 2026 and 2027 UK bank holidays below…
If you’re looking for the upcoming 2026 bank holiday dates across the UK and Northern Ireland, then you’re in the right place! Make a note of these 2026 bank holidays down so you can make the most of your time off!
Planning ahead? Then these 2027 bank holiday dates are sure to help you make the most of the long weekends. Whether you’re searching for 2027 bank holiday dates across England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, we’ve done the hard work for you.
The next bank holiday for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is the Spring Bank Holiday on the 25th May 2026.
In 2026, there will be 8 bank holidays in England and Wales while Scotland will have 9 bank holidays and Northern Ireland 10!
As with 2026, in 2027 there will be 8 bank holidays in England and in Wales. While Scotland have 9 and Northern Ireland have a whopping 10.
If you’re looking for what days to take off in 2026 to maximise your annual leave, then we’ve got you covered. You could turn 28 days of annual leave into 63 days off by booking the following:
Think of how much of the UK you could explore with all of this time off! Find your perfect base amongst our UK self-catering cottages!
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what to do or where to go on a bank holiday, then you’re in luck. Based on over 30 years’ experience in the travel industry, we’ve put together some staycation ideas for the most popular bank holidays in the UK!
Easter is the first long weekend of the year, making it the perfect time to book a UK holiday!
Soak in the beauty of the UK, just as the flowers bloom, by venturing to the Lake District to explore it’s breath-taking lakes and wonderous fells.
Alternatively, explore the Cotswolds, where the honey-coloured cottages coupled with flowering wisteria make the region’s villages some of the most beautiful in the UK.
The Easter Bank Holiday also aligns with the school holidays, meaning that you can spend quality time as a family, and we’ve got plenty of half-term cottages available to help you plan your next unforgettable holiday!
In 2025, people booked their Easter bank holiday getaway around 11 weeks before their adventure, so if you’re looking to have the pick of the best properties, be sure to get it booked before then.
Interested in where Brits were holidaying during the Easter bank holiday last year? Then we’ve got you covered; spoiler, they have great taste…
Book a holiday in Buxton!
Book a holiday in Stow-on-the-Wold!
Book a holiday in Skipton!
This bank holiday is the perfect time to enjoy some of the better weather. Although often unpredictable, the sun is starting to make an appearance around this time, leaving us with that holiday feeling.
So get outside and make the most of it by booking a getaway! Why not head to the North York Moors, where you can make the most of beautiful countryside and amazing coast? With some of the most beautiful places in the UK, including Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay and Helmsley, you won’t be short of things to do and see here.
Alternatively, venture further south to Devon, where you can roam idyllic towns and villages such as Clovelly, Dartmouth and Salcombe. You can also make the most of some of the best beaches in the whole of the UK! Devon is much quieter in May than it is in summer, meaning you can make the most of this beautiful region without the crowds!
People booking their May bank holiday adventure last year typically planned it around 16 weeks before going. Get ahead of the curve and choose from the best properties by planning before then.
For some real-life May bank holiday inspiration, check out where Brits chose to spend their long weekends last year.
Book a holiday in Ambleside!
Book a holiday in Watchet!
Book a holiday in Ludlow!
Plan your ultimate summer getaway during the August bank holiday! This is when the UK really comes alive; look forward to bustling beaches, fun-filled activities and plenty of events to sink your teeth into.
With longer days, there’s even more time for you to explore. This bank holiday, like Easter, falls in the school holidays, making it the perfect time for families to get together.
Why not book one of these spectacular holiday parks in the UK and experience a whole host of exciting on-site activities that are sure to keep the whole family entertained? As well as excellent amenities, these parks are also in some of the most popular areas of the UK, giving you access to amazing attractions.
Cornwall is synonymous with summer and is home to an array of activities that you must tick off your summer bucket list. Book your bank holiday getaway to Newquay and lounge on one of it’s beautiful beaches, or if you’re feeling adventurous, take to the water with the other surfers.
Why not spend your summer bank holiday in the wonderous county of Northumberland, where picturesque beaches, interesting history and remote countryside are in abundance? We’d recommend visiting Bamburgh, where you can spend hours on the beach before venturing into the village to explore the castle the overlooks it.
Our customers were the most organised for their August bank holidays, booking on average 20 weeks before their holiday start date, which makes sense, as it’s the period in highest demand. To make sure you bag one of the best properties with all the features to make it the most memorable getaway yet, be sure to book before this next year.
Take inspiration for your summer bank holiday from the people that love it most! As the most popular bank holiday with our customers, they know all the best locations.
Book a holiday in Anglesey.
Book a holiday in Whitby!
Book a holiday in Beadnell!
The bank holidays that fall over Christmas and New Year are the perfect time for you to book your next family getaway!
Picture yourself and the ones you love most snuggled up in front of a crackling log burner in a cosy cottage that’s decorated for Christmas. It’s these moments that we remember most!
With cottages across the country, you can choose your ideal Christmas backdrop. Venture to the Scottish Highlands where you’ll be surrounded by snow and rugged scenery; nothing could feel more festive! If your stay spans the New Year, you’ll also get to experience Hogmanay in Scotland.
There are plenty of other magical places to visit over Christmas and New Year; the cold weather adds a frost that makes everything more beautiful. Explore the Lake District, where you’ll find icy boardwalks and frosted fells or head to the seaside for a brisk walk in the sea air – you might even catch sight on one of the charity boxing day dips! There are plenty of wonderful places to visit in the UK in winter!
Holidays in December are on the rise, growing 9% from 2022 to 2024, and many of these trips take place across the bank holidays during this month. We’ve created a whole guide dedicated to the best places to visit over Christmas, but here’s a sneak peek at some of the top contenders and the best things to do.
Book a holiday in Bourton-on-the-Water!
Book a holiday in Castleton!
Book a holiday in Broadway!
Deciding where to go away during a bank holiday is tough. With so many wonderful places to visit in the UK and only a short window of time to do it in, we’re not surprised people find the choice overwhelming.
But don’t worry! We’ve put together a handy quiz to help you decide where you should go on holiday in the UK during the next bank holiday.
Feeling inspired to book your next getaway?
Then why not download the Sykes Holiday Cottages App and book you next adventure today? Be sure to check our discount code blog too, for all the latest offers and savings!
"A really lovely break. Hosts very helpful and friendly. Great location and beautiful cottage. Went alone and felt very comfortable"
- Sandra Lindsay, May 2025
View on Trustpilot
"We stayed at Sunningdale Rise over the Easter bank holiday.
We loved the house, very spacious and a great place to relax and unwind.
The beach is just down the road and Weymouth town centre is a few minutes drive away (we were to lazy to walk).
I definitely recommend Sykes Holiday Cottages and the Sunningdale Rise house, all hassle free and a great break for my and my family.
Thanks very much."
- Sean McAllnden, May 2025
View on Trustpilot"We managed to get a property we had stayed in before, very pleased and pleasantly surprised it was available over May half term. Booking process very clear and simple"
- Roger Fay, Feb 2025
View on Trustpilot"We stayed at Pandarosa over the May Bank Holiday. The cottage is clean and well presented, couldn't fault a thing. Our stay was very comfortable as we enjoyed the local sights, Elon Valley and silver mountain experience. Would definitely recommend. Thank you."
- Mrs Bi, June 2025
View on TrustpilotWe analysed booking data from 2025 for holidays beginning on the Friday before each bank holiday (or, in the case of Easter, on Good Friday). We then calculated bookings per property to identify the most popular regions. The featured regions are taken from the top 10 for each bank holiday, and the location recommendations highlight the most booked destinations within those regions for those dates.
Christmas insights were drawn from our analysis of changes in demand for December holidays between 2022 and 2024, as well as bookings per property for calendar week 52 of 2024, which covered the Christmas period.
Lead times were calculated using the average booking lead time for holidays starting on each bank holiday date. For the May and Spring bank holidays, the data for both was combined to produce a single average lead time.
Celebrate one of these 2026 or 2027 UK bank holidays by booking your perfect holiday cottage! Don’t forget to use our UK Travel Guides for inspiration on what do do during your getaway and discover our top short break destinations to help you make your choice.
by Steph Boal / News
Hi, I'm Steph and I've spent the past three years uncovering the best places and hidden gems that make the UK so special. Writing ...
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