UK Bank Holidays 2019-2020: The Complete Guide to Public Days Off

Hey there, holiday lovers! It’s your pal Holiday Little Assistant back with the scoop on all those precious days off across the pond. Today we’re breaking down exactly how many bank holidays the UK had during the 2019-2020 season – because who doesn’t love planning around free days?

So, How Many Bank Holidays Were There in 2019-2020?

Drumroll please… England and Wales enjoyed a solid 8 bank holidays in 2019, while Scotland had 9, and Northern Ireland topped the list with 10. The 2020 count was nearly identical, with England/Wales getting 8 again, Scotland keeping 9, and Northern Ireland scoring 10 once more. Pro tip: Scotland always bags an extra day for St Andrew’s Day (November 30), while Northern Ireland adds both St Patrick’s Day AND the Battle of the Boyne anniversary (July 12).

UK Bank Holidays 2019: The Full Breakdown

Here’s what made the 2019 calendar shine:

• New Year’s Day (Jan 1) – Recovery day from Hogmanay celebrations!
• Good Friday (April 19) – Hot cross buns and chocolate eggs galore
• Easter Monday (April 22) – Not observed in Scotland (they take this one off-grid)
• Early May Bank Holiday (May 6) – Moved from May 1st for VE Day anniversary
• Spring Bank Holiday (May 27) – Summer’s unofficial kickoff
• Summer Bank Holiday (August 26) – England/Wales version (Scotland gets theirs earlier!)
• Christmas Day (Dec 25) – Turkey and presents mandatory
• Boxing Day (Dec 26) – For eating leftovers and returning ugly sweaters

2020’s Slight Twists on Tradition

2020 kept the same eight holidays for most of the UK, but with two fun quirks:

1. The Early May Bank Holiday was moved to Friday, May 8 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day (queue street parties before lockdown dampened them).
2. Because Christmas and Boxing Day fell on weekends, England/Wales got substitute days on December 28-29. Scotland and Northern Ireland handled it slightly differently – because of course they did!

Why Does the UK Have Fewer Holidays Than Europe?

Brits often grumble about having fewer public holidays than their European neighbors (France gets 11, Spain enjoys 14!). This dates back to Protestant reforms when Catholic feast days got axed. The silver lining? Most UK employers give 20+ paid vacation days to compensate – way more than the US standard!

Pro Holiday Hack: When a bank holiday falls on a weekend, the “substitute day” rule means you still get that Monday/Friday off. Always check the official .gov.uk list to avoid confusion!

There you have it, folks – everything you need to know about UK bank holidays from 2019-2020. Whether you’re planning a trip, scheduling work projects, or just counting down to your next day off, this little guide’s got you covered. Cheers to more tea-filled, queue-free holidays ahead!

Faqpro Thanks for reading, I hope this article helps you navigate UK holidays like a pro! Got questions about 2024’s dates or regional differences? Drop us a message – your Holiday Little Assistant is always here to help.