Spring Bank Holiday
309 days until Spring Bank Holiday
About Spring Bank Holiday
The Spring Bank Holiday is a nationwide public holiday in the United Kingdom, falling on the last Monday of May. It offers a three-day weekend for workers and typically coincides with the late spring half-term break for schools.
History
The holiday originated as Whit Monday, the day following Pentecost (Whitsun), which was formally recognized as a statutory bank holiday across the United Kingdom under the Bank Holidays Act 1871. Because the date of Whitsun depended on Easter, it shifted substantially each year, making scheduling unpredictable for businesses and educational institutions.
Following a trial period between 1965 and 1970, the British government formally replaced Whit Monday with the Spring Bank Holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. This legislation permanently fixed the observance to the final Monday of May, ensuring a consistent late-spring break.
Traditions & Celebrations
As one of the first long weekends of the warmer months, the Spring Bank Holiday is widely associated with outdoor leisure, domestic travel, and coastal day trips. A notable traditional event held on this day is the Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake in Gloucestershire, where competitors race down a steep hill after a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese. Gardening, home improvement projects, and countryside walks are also popular pastimes across the country.
Did you know?
- The Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 officially replaced the movable Whit Monday holiday with the fixed Spring Bank Holiday.
- On three occasions—in 2002, 2012, and 2022—the holiday was moved to early June to form a four-day weekend celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilees.
- The annual Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake traditionally takes place on the Spring Bank Holiday near Gloucester.
- Most UK primary and secondary schools take a one-week half-term break starting on this bank holiday Monday.
Spring Bank Holiday dates by year
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Spring Bank Holiday celebrated across the entire UK?
Yes, it is a statutory public holiday in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Why did the UK stop observing Whit Monday as a bank holiday?
Whit Monday depended on the lunar calendar date of Easter, causing it to move between May and June. The government introduced the Spring Bank Holiday to establish a predictable date on the last Monday of May.
Are supermarkets and shops open on the Spring Bank Holiday?
Most major supermarkets and retail stores open, though many operate on reduced Sunday or holiday trading hours.