UK Bank Holidays in 2025: How to Make the Most Out of Them?

Bank holidays mean no classes and a chance to catch up on sleep in your cosy student accommodation. It is an opportunity to escape campus life and explore your surroundings. As a student, it often feels like there’s never enough time to balance studying, socialising, and getting some much-required rest. Bank holidays are the perfect excuse for a well-deserved break. 2025 brings several long weekends and opportunities for students to recharge, explore, and even catch up on coursework as opposed to UK bank holidays in 2024.

This guide will help you navigate UK bank holidays in 2025 so that you can plan your travel, social life, and study time around them. Bank holidays in the UK in 2025 are not just for relaxation but also for time management. A survey by Expedia found that 44% of students use long weekends for short trips to popular destinations like London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. Travel websites also offer some of the best deals for students around bank holiday weekends, especially when booked in advance.

Fun Fact: The United Kingdom observes a substitute leave where employees or students are given a different day off. This usually happens when the designated holiday comes on a weekend or when it's inconvenient for offices to give a day off.

What Are Bank Holidays, and Why Should You Care?

UK Bank holidays are public holidays when most businesses, schools, universities, and public offices close, giving people the day off in the United Kingdom. The name “bank holiday” originally came into existence because banks were closed on these days, making them a de facto public holiday. In the modern UK, however, everyone gets a day off, even students!

Not all bank holidays are observed in certain countries. Some are observed nationwide while others are specific to particular regions. Each country in the UK has its own set of bank holidays, so you are likely to find that a particular region gets an extra holiday or a different one at different times of the year. 

The concept of a “day off” for the masses dates back to the 19th century. If you dive into the history of bank holidays, you’ll find that The Bank Holidays Act of 1871 was the first official legislation in the UK that granted workers a guaranteed day off. This was a massive win for workers and helped set the foundation for the modern holiday system we know today. The early bank holidays were tied to religious observances but over the years, the calendar has expanded to include more days off that are aligned with national events like royal occasions or public holidays. 

And why should students care about bank holidays in 2025? Because you deserve a break. Bank holidays are a built-in solution to all the stress students have to endure in their academic lives. They give you a chance to step back, rest, and re-energise so you can tackle your next big deadline or exam with a clear mind.

2025 Bank Holidays in England and Wales

Student life can be intense sometimes. Between lectures, deadlines, and the occasional all-nighters (yes, we’ve all been there), it can be tough to find a moment to breathe. Bank holidays in England for 2025 give you the much-needed chance to reset and recharge while providing a perfect opportunity to catch up on your studies.

Now here’s something that you might have noticed, most bank holidays in England and Wales for 2025 fall on Monday, creating long weekends that are a gift for students. If you’re feeling social, you can take this time to reconnect with your friends, explore your surroundings, or plan a small getaway.

Scotland Bank Holidays in 2025

Scotland isn’t just about kilts, bagpipes, and breathtaking landscapes, although, of course, those are pretty amazing. If you’re a student up north in Scotland, bank holidays in 2025 are your ticket to some much-needed time off. It is a chance to reconnect with nature or dive into all the unique traditions and events that make Scotland…well, Scotland. The country has a few holidays that are a little different from the rest of the UK and they bring a mix of historical significance, cultural celebration, and of course, study breaks.

Scotland has an extra holiday, St. Andrew’s Day. This Scottish special tradition honours Scotland’s patron saint, St. Andrew. The day is celebrated with a mix of cultural events, live music, and a traditional ceilidh (Scottish dance). Even though it falls on a Sunday in 2025, many events will be held throughout the weekend, so you still get the benefit of a little extra fun and relaxation.

Northern Ireland Bank Holiday 2025

Northern Ireland is an exceptional mix of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant cultural celebration, and the bank holidays in 2025 offer students a chance to take a step back from their textbooks and enjoy a little break. Holidays in the country have a wonderful blend of tradition, national pride, and the opportunity to explore its scenic beauty, making them the perfect mix for any student looking for adventure and rest.

Northern Ireland celebrates the Battle of the Boyne on 12th July, whose holiday is being substituted on 14th July 2025 as it falls on the weekend. It is also known as the Orangemen’s Day or “the Twelfth” and commemorates the victory of Protestant King Willian of Orange over Catholic King James II in 1690. The remaining holidays in Northern Ireland align with bank holidays celebrated all over the UK. This is the perfect opportunity for students to kick back, relax and enjoy their long weekends.

Things to do in the UK on Bank Holidays

Bank holidays in the UK in 2025 offer a chance to unwind and explore the city. With several long weekends ahead, it’s time to plan some fun activities, whether you’re staying local or venturing further ahead. From nature walks to cultural festivals and pub crawls, here are the best things to do on a UK bank holiday in 2025.

The UK is full of national parks that are perfect for hikes or leisurely walks. Whether you’re cycling, hiking, or simply wish to take a leisure stroll, you can visit national parks, coastal walks and cycling trails to make the most of your holiday! The Lake District is best for dramatic mountain views while the Taff Trail in Wales offers the most scenic routes. And don’t forget to pack a picnic for your hike or bike ride, and stop at a scenic spot to enjoy a well-earned break.

If you’re more into culture and history, then you’ll find several museums, art galleries, and historic landmarks to visit in the UK. A bank holiday in 2025 offers the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the UK’s fascinating past and rich culture. Several museums in the sovereign state offer free entry or discounted rates on certain days, so be sure to check out the exhibits! Don’t miss the chance to visit Dunluce Castle along the coast of Northern Ireland. The Science Museum is one of the best museums in London, especially for all science enthusiasts.

Read Also: Top UK Music Festivals for Students in 2025

Sometimes, the best thing to do is to get away from it all. A bank holiday in the UK in 2025 offers the perfect opportunity to visit new places and obtain novel experiences, especially with the many long weekends. Several properties in the UK provide short-term stays or summer accommodation to students, thereby providing convenient and affordable options. Such properties typically come fully furnished, with flexible lease terms that suit short-term needs. You can book short-term accommodation to recharge and explore new cities.

How Bank Holidays Impact University and College Schedules: Bank Holidays vs the Student Calendar

Bank holidays in the UK in 2025 offer students a welcome break, but when it comes to universities and college schedules, they can have a more significant impact than just an extra day off. While students are used to planning around the semester start dates, exams, and holiday breaks, it's important to understand how 2025 bank holidays will interact with the academic calendar. These holidays can influence everything and even affect how much study time students have during their breaks.

Universities and colleges generally suspend classes on bank holidays which are typically observed on national dates. This means students don’t have to worry about attending lectures or seminars on these days. However, a few institutions may still hold important sessions like tutorials or review sessions on bank holiday weekends. It is therefore important to check the specific guidelines set by universities or academic departments, as institutions may adjust their timetables to ensure students don’t fall behind on critical coursework.

Bank holidays give students extra time for revision. UK bank holidays in May 2025 provide a perfect opportunity for students to consolidate their revision before their final exams in June. However, university and college term dates don’t always align neatly with bank holidays, meaning students may have to navigate overlapping deadlines and academic commitments.

Access to university services is also impacted by bank holidays. University facilities like libraries, student support offices, and IT services may have reduced hours or be closed entirely. This may be frustrating for students who rely on university resources. Some of the top libraries in London for students to study may also be closed on these days. A few universities may also alter opening hours for essential services, like study spaces or student accommodation offices. Be sure to check the university website for holiday hours and plan ahead, especially during the exam season.

How to Maximise Your Annual Leave for 2025

As a university or college student, spending your time effectively is key to maintaining a healthy balance between studies and personal life. One of the best ways to ensure you get the most out of your free time is to plan your annual leave around the bank holidays. By strategically scheduling leave or study breaks, you can create long weekends and extended holidays without using up too many vacation days.

If you’re looking for extended time off then some of the best breaks of the year are just around the corner from bank holidays. With the right planning, you could potentially create an even longer vacation. One of the easiest ways to extend your free time is by combining a bank holiday with your weekends. For instance, 

Easter Break (April 18th - 20th): By taking leave from Monday, April 14th to Thursday, April 17th, you’ll get an extended 9-day break from April 12th to April 20th, including a Good Friday holiday on 18th April!

Early May Bank Holiday (May 5th): Take leave from April 28th to May 2nd, and you’ll have a 10-day break that includes the weekend and bank holiday.

Spring Bank Holiday (May 26th): You can create an extended 9-day break by taking leave from May 27th to May 30th, following the bank holiday.

Summer bank holidays in the UK 2025 (25th August) offer an excellent opportunity to create a 4-day weekend if you take a leave on the preceding Friday (22nd August).

Check with your university or college to see when there are scheduled breaks for the academic year. The University holidays often coincide with public holidays, but they may not always align perfectly. To maximise your time off, consider taking additional days off around these times. Although you might be tempted to take extended leave, remember that your coursework and assignments may be scheduled around these holidays. Be mindful of deadlines and exams, and plan your leave in a way that doesn’t negatively affect your academic progress.

Unlock your Best Breaks in 2025

With so much to see and do, you’ll never run out of things to enjoy during your well-earned breaks! Bank holidays in 2025 provide students with the perfect opportunity to get more out of their annual leave. Whether you want to go on a hike, explore the cities, or plan an extended stay, it’s all dependent on smart planning to make the most of your time off.

And don’t forget, before you get caught up in the rush of classes and assignments, ensure your accommodation is sorted too. The right place to live is just as important for making the most of your time! Whether you’re a local student or studying abroad, Best Student Halls offer top-notch student accommodation to make your study abroad experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.