There are few pleasures Brits enjoy more in life than a bank holiday weekend, especially one in August.
An extra day off to enjoy the sunshine (hopefully) as our summer starts to draw to a close.
With news of another heatwave this summer set to hit the UK in August, Brits will be ready to soak up the sun - as long as it's not too hot this time.
And what better time to catch the rays than over a three-day weekend?
So when is the bank holiday and why do we have one in August?
When is the August bank holiday?
The UK's next bank holiday is Monday August 29.
The three-day weekend falling at the end of August will be the last bank holiday before Christmas.
Why do we have a bank holiday in August?
The August bank holiday was initially introduced as a way to give us all a chance to make the most of the summer. Hence its official name - Summer Bank Holiday.
But it didn't always fall on the last Monday of the month. Up until 1971 it always took place on the first Monday of August.
It was eventually moved as it clashed with the traditional two-week shutdown that many companies went through in the summer.
Why do we have bank holidays?
Bank holidays were originally invented by a politician and banker.
Sir John Lubbock made bank holidays official back in 1871.
Until 1834, the UK had 33 bank holidays... yes, 33.
That's more than one every other week.
However, it was deemed too excessive and was reduced fairly drastically to just four.
In 1871, Lubbock made those four days official national holidays.
Which country has the most bank holidays?
The country with the most bank holidays is India with a staggering 21 days.
The UK has almost the fewest bank holidays of any country with just eight.
In fact, we have the second-to-least out of any other country and sit just ahead of Mexico who has just seven bank holidays.
How many bank holidays the UK have left this year?
After the Summer Bank Holiday on August 29, the UK has two more bank holidays: Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
That's right, after this one, the countdown to Christmas is on.
And fear not, just after Christmas, New Year's Day will be there to give us an extra day off, too.
