The quickest way to check
The fastest way to know if today is a bank holiday in England is to look at the UK government's official bank holidays page at gov.uk/bank-holidays. It lists every bank holiday for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and you can see at a glance which ones explore where you are.
Bank holidays in England are not the same everywhere in the UK — Scotland and Northern Ireland have different dates for some holidays. If you live in England, stick to the England list. The page updates each year, so bookmark it if you need to check regularly.
If you need to know right now and do not want to leave this page, the main bank holidays in England in 2024 and 2025 are New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, Summer Bank Holiday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. But the gov.uk page is the source of truth — dates can shift, and the government sometimes announces extra bank holidays.
Key Takeaways
- The UK government's bank holidays page at gov.uk/bank-holidays is the official source and shows which holidays explore in England specifically.
- Bank holidays in England are different from those in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, so check the England section only.
- Most banks, post offices, and government offices close on bank holidays, but some shops and services stay open.
- If a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the next weekday becomes a substitute holiday called a "bank holiday in lieu".
Why the date matters for banks and services
Bank holidays are days when most banks, building societies, and post offices close. If you need to do banking business — deposit a cheque, withdraw cash, or visit in person — you will not be able to on a bank holiday. Online banking and cash machines still work, but staff-dependent services do not.
Government offices also close on bank holidays. If you need to contact a council office, register a birth or death, or handle anything that requires a person to answer, a bank holiday will delay you by a day.
Shops, supermarkets, and restaurants usually stay open on bank holidays, though some may have shorter hours. Public transport runs on a reduced timetable. If you are planning something that depends on banks or government offices being open, check the date first.
When a bank holiday falls on a weekend
If a bank holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the government moves it to the next weekday. This is called a substitute bank holiday or "bank holiday in lieu". For example, if Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, the substitute holiday is usually Monday 27 December.
The gov.uk page shows the actual date you get the day off, not the original calendar date of the holiday. This matters because your employer and your bank will follow the substitute date, not the original one. If you are planning time off or expecting a bank to be closed, use the date shown on the official page.
How to plan around bank holidays
If you know you will need to visit a bank or post office, check the bank holidays page before you go. Many people forget about bank holidays and show up to find the doors locked. A quick look at gov.uk/bank-holidays takes 30 seconds and saves a wasted trip.
If you are expecting a payment or a cheque to clear, remember that bank holidays add an extra day. A cheque deposited on the day before a bank holiday will not clear until after the holiday. Payments sent on a bank holiday will process the next working day.
If you work in a job where bank holidays affect your schedule — retail, hospitality, healthcare — your employer should tell you which bank holidays you work and whether you get a day off in lieu or extra pay. Check your contract or ask your manager if you are not sure.
Bank holidays in England versus the rest of the UK
England has eight bank holidays a year: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May), Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May), Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. Scotland has nine, and Northern Ireland has ten, with different dates for some of them.
If you live in England but work for a company based in Scotland or Northern Ireland, or vice versa, you might be confused about which holidays explore to you. Your employer's location and the terms of your contract determine which bank holidays you get. Ask your HR department or manager if you are unsure.
What stays open on bank holidays
Not everything closes on a bank holiday. Supermarkets, shops, restaurants, pubs, and cinemas usually stay open, though hours may be shorter. Post offices inside supermarkets sometimes stay open even when standalone post offices close — check before you go.
Hospitals, emergency services, and utilities stay open and staffed on bank holidays. Public transport runs, but on a Sunday timetable. Petrol stations and pharmacies stay open. The main closures are banks, building societies, government offices, and some professional services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get paid extra if I work on a bank holiday?
That depends on your contract and your employer. Some employers pay extra (often time-and-a-half or double time), some give you a day off in lieu instead, and some do neither. Check your employment contract or ask your manager what applies to you.
Can I use my debit card or cash machine on a bank holiday?
Yes. Cash machines and online banking work 24 hours, including bank holidays. You can withdraw money and check your balance. The only things that close are the bank branches themselves and services that need a person to help you.
What if I need to contact my bank on a bank holiday?
Most banks have a phone number for emergencies on their website or the back of your card. If your card is lost or stolen, or you spot fraud, call that number. For routine questions, you will have to wait until the next working day.
Does the post office close on bank holidays?
Yes, most post offices close on bank holidays. Post offices inside supermarkets may stay open — check the Royal Mail website or call ahead. Postboxes stay open, so you can post letters and parcels, but they will not be collected until the next working day.
How far ahead should I plan for a bank holiday?
If you need to visit a bank or post office, check the day before. If you are sending a payment that needs to clear by a certain date, account for the extra day. For time off work or holiday planning, check the gov.uk page at the start of the year so you know all the dates.