The latest lifestyle, fashion and travel trends
The latest lifestyle, fashion and travel trends
From long sunny afternoons to even longer lie-ins, there’s nothing better than a bank holiday weekend.
This month, we are treated to a total of two in total – one at the beginning of May and one at the end of the month.
In the UK we have a total of eight bank holidays throughout the year in England and Wales, while there are nine in Scotland and 10 in Northern Ireland.
This means that, including the upcoming May bank holiday this weekend, Brits have a total of four days holiday left this year (or five for Scotland and six for Northern Ireland).
So if you feel like some more days off or are just wondering when to book a weekend getaway, here is the full list of bank and public holidays in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
What is a Bank Holiday?
National holidays in the UK have been referred to as “bank” holidays since the late 19th century, because traditionally on these days banks would close their doors for trading.
Nowadays most of the working population will be granted the day off and many banks and government offices remain closed. A number of shops still operate as usual on bank holidays, albeit often with reduced trading hours.
2019 Bank and Public Holidays in the UK
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Spring bank holiday: Monday 27 May
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Battle of the Boyne: Friday 12 July (Northern Ireland only)
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Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 5 August (Scotland only)
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Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 26 August (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only)
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St Andrew’s Day: Monday 2 December (Scotland only)
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Christmas Day: Wednesday 25 December
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Boxing Day: Thursday 26 December
Things to do in London this bank holiday
1/11 KERB’s Jam on Rye Festival
The team at KERB are back for another bank holiday serving, this time at Jam on Rye festival — an event set to showcase emerging talent from the worlds of music, food and art. Foodie traders on the line-up include meaty experts Bleecker Burger, plant-based pros Club Mexicana and Million Pound Menu winners BBQ Dreamz and Baba G’s. RnB royalty Kelis will also be making an appearance.
2/11 Feria de Londres
Some colourful casetas will be popping up this weekend for a festival inspired by the traditional spring fairs in the Spanish region of Andalusia. Fittingly, South Bank’s Bernie Spain Gardens will host the free three-day event, which promises all kinds of entertainment with Sevillana dance lessons, Flamenco shows and live Spanish music. Foodies will find plenty of tapas, paella and Fino sherry at the trader stands.
3/11 Free Beer with West Berkshire Brewery
To ring in the long weekend, West Berkshire Brewery will be giving away 150 pints (50 per day) across their two London Maverick partner pubs — so that’s 300 free pints up for grabs. Thirsty punters can claim a free beer at the Oxford Tavern in Kentish Town and Old Suffolk Punch in Hammersmith — they simply have to ensure they are one of the first 50 through the door and give the line “don’t worry beer happy” to the bartender. Certainly worth it for a pint on the house.
4/11 All Points East
East London festival All Points East launches this weekend, kicking off two back-to-back weekends of brilliant music. This year promises some huge headliners with The Chemical Brothers, The Strokes and Christine and the Queens all on the bill. Other big names set to grace the stage include Hot Chip and Primal Scream on Friday, Johnny Marr and Jarvis Cocker on Saturday and James Blake on Sunday.
Getty Images for Coachella
5/11 Club Mexicana BBQ
If National Vegetarian Week just gone has given you an appetite for plant-based goods, vegan joint Club Mexicana will be hosting a Ribs and Roots BBQ on Sunday — the first in its Summer Sessions series. In true Club Mexicana style, jackfruit will make an appearance on the menu (in sticky rib form) alongside corn with coriander butter and mustard potato salad.
6/11 Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell at the Coach & Horses
Downton Abbey and Cold Feet actor Robert Bathurst will star in a new immersive production of Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell at Norman’s Coach & Horses in Soho. The show tells the story of London journalist and alcoholic Jeffrey Bernard, who is locked in the pub overnight. Pub landlord Alastair Choat Artbeat is putting on the play to protest pressure to give up his independent pub.
Tom Howard
7/11 Peckham Record Fair
Vinyl lovers should descend on Peckham this weekend for a thoroughly vintage affair at Copeland Park. More than 30 tables will boast used and collectable vinyls for visitors to flick through. The record fair will be popping up next to an array of Peckham’s restaurants and food vendors — the perfect place to refuel and refresh before going back in for more secondhand finds.
Joseph Pearson/Unsplash
8/11 Foodies Festival
Foodies Festival returns to Syon Park this weekend with a whole range of masterclasses, talks and entertainment for guests to tuck into. MasterChef winner Irini Tzortzoglou and Celebrity MasterChef Winner John Partridge will be cooking live in the Chefs Theatre, along with culinary master Jose Pizarro. On the music side of things, Boyzlife (that’s Brian McFadden of Westlife and Keith Duffy of Boyzone) and Queen tribute act Flash make up this year’s line up.
9/11 Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden’s Floral Court Festival
To mark their first birthday, Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden will be throwing a four-day floral festival with live music, workshops and plenty of al fresco dining opportunities. The first 100 guests will receive a complimentary cocktail, but those who miss out can also enjoy half price drinks at the event’s “late hour” between 9pm-10pm. Workshops will also be running across the weekend, with pasta masterclasses on the agenda as well as a yoga brunch.
10/11 Any Given Bank Holiday Sunday brunch at The Piano Works
Another long weekend means another installment of Any Given Bank Holiday Sunday brunch at The Piano Works. Two hours of free-flowing booze will be on offer, with the option for Aperol Spritz, prosecco, Italian pink sparkling wine or Bloody Marys. Brunch classics will be on the menu too, with eggs Florentine, Royale or Benedict alongside some vegan fried chicken pancakes with maple syrup. All to be enjoyed to a backdrop of live music.
11/11 Vitality Westminster Mile with Mo Farah
Long distance runner and all round athletic extraordinaire Mo Farah will be taking part in the Vitality Westminster Mile, which starts on The Mall and finishes in front of Buckingham Palace. A Wellness Festival will run alongside it in Green Park, offering a range of family-friendly activities including workshops for cricket, netball and boxing.
Thomas Lovelock for The Vitality
1/11 KERB’s Jam on Rye Festival
The team at KERB are back for another bank holiday serving, this time at Jam on Rye festival — an event set to showcase emerging talent from the worlds of music, food and art. Foodie traders on the line-up include meaty experts Bleecker Burger, plant-based pros Club Mexicana and Million Pound Menu winners BBQ Dreamz and Baba G’s. RnB royalty Kelis will also be making an appearance.
2/11 Feria de Londres
Some colourful casetas will be popping up this weekend for a festival inspired by the traditional spring fairs in the Spanish region of Andalusia. Fittingly, South Bank’s Bernie Spain Gardens will host the free three-day event, which promises all kinds of entertainment with Sevillana dance lessons, Flamenco shows and live Spanish music. Foodies will find plenty of tapas, paella and Fino sherry at the trader stands.
3/11 Free Beer with West Berkshire Brewery
To ring in the long weekend, West Berkshire Brewery will be giving away 150 pints (50 per day) across their two London Maverick partner pubs — so that’s 300 free pints up for grabs. Thirsty punters can claim a free beer at the Oxford Tavern in Kentish Town and Old Suffolk Punch in Hammersmith — they simply have to ensure they are one of the first 50 through the door and give the line “don’t worry beer happy” to the bartender. Certainly worth it for a pint on the house.
4/11 All Points East
East London festival All Points East launches this weekend, kicking off two back-to-back weekends of brilliant music. This year promises some huge headliners with The Chemical Brothers, The Strokes and Christine and the Queens all on the bill. Other big names set to grace the stage include Hot Chip and Primal Scream on Friday, Johnny Marr and Jarvis Cocker on Saturday and James Blake on Sunday.
Getty Images for Coachella
5/11 Club Mexicana BBQ
If National Vegetarian Week just gone has given you an appetite for plant-based goods, vegan joint Club Mexicana will be hosting a Ribs and Roots BBQ on Sunday — the first in its Summer Sessions series. In true Club Mexicana style, jackfruit will make an appearance on the menu (in sticky rib form) alongside corn with coriander butter and mustard potato salad.
6/11 Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell at the Coach & Horses
Downton Abbey and Cold Feet actor Robert Bathurst will star in a new immersive production of Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell at Norman’s Coach & Horses in Soho. The show tells the story of London journalist and alcoholic Jeffrey Bernard, who is locked in the pub overnight. Pub landlord Alastair Choat Artbeat is putting on the play to protest pressure to give up his independent pub.
Tom Howard
7/11 Peckham Record Fair
Vinyl lovers should descend on Peckham this weekend for a thoroughly vintage affair at Copeland Park. More than 30 tables will boast used and collectable vinyls for visitors to flick through. The record fair will be popping up next to an array of Peckham’s restaurants and food vendors — the perfect place to refuel and refresh before going back in for more secondhand finds.
Joseph Pearson/Unsplash
8/11 Foodies Festival
Foodies Festival returns to Syon Park this weekend with a whole range of masterclasses, talks and entertainment for guests to tuck into. MasterChef winner Irini Tzortzoglou and Celebrity MasterChef Winner John Partridge will be cooking live in the Chefs Theatre, along with culinary master Jose Pizarro. On the music side of things, Boyzlife (that’s Brian McFadden of Westlife and Keith Duffy of Boyzone) and Queen tribute act Flash make up this year’s line up.
9/11 Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden’s Floral Court Festival
To mark their first birthday, Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden will be throwing a four-day floral festival with live music, workshops and plenty of al fresco dining opportunities. The first 100 guests will receive a complimentary cocktail, but those who miss out can also enjoy half price drinks at the event’s “late hour” between 9pm-10pm. Workshops will also be running across the weekend, with pasta masterclasses on the agenda as well as a yoga brunch.
10/11 Any Given Bank Holiday Sunday brunch at The Piano Works
Another long weekend means another installment of Any Given Bank Holiday Sunday brunch at The Piano Works. Two hours of free-flowing booze will be on offer, with the option for Aperol Spritz, prosecco, Italian pink sparkling wine or Bloody Marys. Brunch classics will be on the menu too, with eggs Florentine, Royale or Benedict alongside some vegan fried chicken pancakes with maple syrup. All to be enjoyed to a backdrop of live music.
11/11 Vitality Westminster Mile with Mo Farah
Long distance runner and all round athletic extraordinaire Mo Farah will be taking part in the Vitality Westminster Mile, which starts on The Mall and finishes in front of Buckingham Palace. A Wellness Festival will run alongside it in Green Park, offering a range of family-friendly activities including workshops for cricket, netball and boxing.
Thomas Lovelock for The Vitality
Other days to remember
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Father’s Day: Sunday 16 June
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Halloween: Thursday 31 October
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Bonfire Night: Tuesday 5 November
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St Andrew’s Day: Saturday 30 November
