Summer Bank Holiday

Summer Bank Holiday History

The Summer Bank Holiday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom that provides an extra day off work for many people. Established to grant workers a respite amid the busy summer period, this holiday promotes relaxation and leisure time. As one of the few bank holidays in the UK, the Summer Bank Holiday affords an opportunity for individuals to catch up with family and friends, participate in outdoor activities or short trips, and enjoy various cultural and sporting events.

The Summer Bank Holiday initially took place on the first Monday in August but was changed to the last Monday in August as a result of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. This legislative change aimed to distribute public holidays more evenly throughout the year. Today, the Summer Bank Holiday is celebrated in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while Scotland observes a separate bank holiday in August with a different history and cultural significance specific to Scotland.

In the United Kingdom, the Summer Bank Holiday is marked by various festivities, including carnivals, parades, and outdoor concerts. Notting Hill Carnival, one of the largest street festivals in Europe, takes place every year on this weekend in London, attracting millions of attendees. Other events, such as the Manchester Pride and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, also coincide with the holiday. The Summer Bank Holiday occurs on the last Monday in August for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while Scotland celebrates it on the first Monday in August. This extended weekend is a much-anticipated time for relaxation, fun, and leisure for people across the UK. The Sumer Bank Holiday takes place on August 28th in 2023.

Summer Bank Holiday Facts & Quotes

• 4.5 million British people (about 9% of the country's population) take an overnight holiday during the August Bank Holiday.
• The Late Summer Bank Holiday is celebrated in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In Scotland and in the Republic of Ireland, it is celebrated at the start of the month in alignment with their centuries-old tradition.
• Rest and be thankful - William Wordsworth, English poet of the Romantic genre who lived from 1770-1850
• Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time - John Lubbock, English banker, politician, and philanthropist who lived from 1834-1913
• The Summer Bank Holiday was first introduced in 1871 by the Bank Holidays Act in the UK, which established four bank holidays, including the Summer Bank Holiday, in England, Wales, and Ireland.

In the News and Trending for Summer Bank Holiday

Summer Bank Holiday Top Events and Things to Do

• Get down the pub and have a pint. Join the merriment as people celebrate the three-day weekend.
• Visit some of Britain’s beaches, they won’t be warm for much longer. Try Woolacombe Beach in Woolacombe, Weymouth Beach in Weymouth, or Fistral Beach in Newquay.
• Visit Notting Hill Carnival! The festival has run since 1966 and is a joyful expression led by members of the British West Indian community. It pulls in over one million visitors annually.
• Summer Bank Holiday is a great time to visit popular UK beach destinations like Brighton, Bournemouth, or Cornwall for seaside fun and relaxation.
• Explore the UK's beautiful natural landscapes by visiting popular parks like the Lake District, Peak District, or New Forest.
• Attend cricket matches, horse races, or other popular summer sports events held during the bank holiday weekend.