Bank holidays 2018 UK: When are the May holiday dates this year?

The sun is officially out and you know what that means… we're all thinking: when is our next holiday?

The good news is May is just around the corner and this glorious month brings not one bank holiday but two.

Here’s everything you need to know…

What is a bank holiday?

A bank holiday essentially means a public holiday. Launched by Liberal politician and banker Sir John Lubbock in 1871, it was introduced as a way of giving workers respite.

It was stated that on four days across the year, people shouldn’t be expected to do what they wouldn’t do on Christmas Day. Now, England has eight bank holidays across the year including Good Friday and Christmas Day and they differ in Ireland and Scotland.

Why is it called a ‘bank’ holiday?

The reason it’s called a bank holiday is because historically it was the day banks closed and that meant nobody else could work - there were no computers back then and business tended only to be able to function when other services were open but don’t highlight that too much to your employer…

Does everyone get a bank holiday?

Under law employers aren’t obliged to give you bank holidays off so make sure you find out what you’re entitled to before you sign your contract.

When are the May bank holidays?

The May bank holidays fall on the 7th May and 28th May 2018.

When are the rest of the bank holidays in 2018?

So far we’ve had…

New Year's Day: Monday 1 January

Good Friday: Friday 30 March

Easter Monday: Monday 2 April

Coming up…

Early May bank holiday: Monday 7 May

Spring bank holiday: Monday 28 May

Summer bank holiday: Monday 27 August

Christmas Day: Tuesday 25 December

Boxing Day: Wednesday 26 December