UK bank holidays 2019: When are the May bank holidays this year? What dates do British people get off work?

We've still got plenty of bank holidays to look forward to this year isle of wight (Picture: Pixabay)

Many Brits will have gone back to work this week after a glorious four day Easter weekend which went far too quickly.

No doubt it's left many people wondering how many bank holidays we have left this year and when the next long weekend will be.

But don't mourn too soon, because there is some good news - we still have the majority of our bank holidays left to look forward to.

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.

So if you feel like some more days off, or are wondering when to book a weekend getaway for, here is the full list of bank and public holidays in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Beach goers relax by the sea in Brighton (AFP/Getty Images)

What is a Bank Holiday?

National holidays in the UK have been referred to as “bank” holidays since the late 19^th 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​

• Early May bank holiday: Monday 6 May

• Spring bank holiday: Monday 27 May

• Battle of the Boyne: Friday 12 July (Northern Ireland only)

• Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 5 August (Scotland only)

• Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 26 August (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only)

• St Andrew’s Day: Monday 2 December (Scotland only)

• Christmas Day: Wednesday 25 December

• Boxing Day: Thursday 26 December