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How to maximise your annual leave in 2026
Wishing for more days away from your desk? Here’s how to (almost) double your annual leave days in 2026.
Planning your 2026 trips? We’ve got the holiday hacks to help you make the most of your annual leave. Read on for when (and where) to book this year – cue the jealous looks from your colleagues…
Once you’re ready, check out our best holiday deals.
Spring into holiday mode in April or May
Ah, May. The month of not one, but two glorious Bank Holiday weekends – hello, two nine-day holidays with just four days’ leave. This year, take 5th to 8th May, and you’ll get to set your out-of-office from the 2nd to the 10th. Take 26th to 29th May and wave bye-bye to your inbox from the 23rd to the 31st. Where to go? Well, that’s up to you, but a double bite at the nine-day cherry opens the door to far-flung shores in the Maldives, Mexico and more…
Fancy going further? Have a look at our May holiday deals.
Fancy going further? Have a look at our May holiday deals.
See out the last of summer in September
Book the first four days off in September 2026 (with the August Bank Holiday Monday thrown in) and another nine days away from the desk is yours. Cue the jealous side-eye from your co-workers. September marks the start of the second half of ‘shoulder season’ – the sweet spot on either side of summer – when holiday hotspots are quieter and cheaper, but still warm enough to wear your summer outfits. A week soaking up the sun in Greece, Cyprus, Italy or Turkey? Sounds dreamy.
Check out our September holiday deals.
Check out our September holiday deals.
Get away for Christmas
Christmas Day falls on a Friday this year, which means the Boxing Day Bank Holiday moves to Monday – hallelujah for the four-day weekend! And with the New Year just three days later, you can trade seven days’ annual leave for 16 days AFK – that’s ‘away from keyboard’, if you didn’t know. Claim 21st to 24th December and 29th to 31st December before any of your colleagues, and you’re golden. Here’s to celebrating in style in New York or getting your vit D fix in the Dominican Republic.
Check out our December holiday deals.
Check out our December holiday deals.
When are the bank holidays in 2027?
Early planner? Let’s talk 2027.
March
Bank holidays – 26th and 29th March
Booking the days around Good Friday and Easter Monday allows for 10+ days off for just four days of leave.
May
Bank holidays – 3rd and 31st May
Booking the four days between the two bank holiday Mondays, or the four days after each one, gives you nine-day breaks for just four days' leave.
August
Bank holiday – 30th August
Long weekend in the sun? Sorted.
December
Bank holidays – 27th and 28th December
Christmas falls on a weekend (winner, winner), so booking 29th to 31st December 2027 gets you more than a week away for three days’ annual leave – Merry Christmas.
March
Bank holidays – 26th and 29th March
Booking the days around Good Friday and Easter Monday allows for 10+ days off for just four days of leave.
May
Bank holidays – 3rd and 31st May
Booking the four days between the two bank holiday Mondays, or the four days after each one, gives you nine-day breaks for just four days' leave.
August
Bank holiday – 30th August
Long weekend in the sun? Sorted.
December
Bank holidays – 27th and 28th December
Christmas falls on a weekend (winner, winner), so booking 29th to 31st December 2027 gets you more than a week away for three days’ annual leave – Merry Christmas.
Ready to book?
Browse our best deals.
Or, for more inspo, read about the best beach holiday destinations, best family holiday destinations and how to have a cheap family holiday.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Laura Wilkinson
Last updated: 26.02.2026
Browse our best deals.
Or, for more inspo, read about the best beach holiday destinations, best family holiday destinations and how to have a cheap family holiday.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Laura Wilkinson
Last updated: 26.02.2026