UK Bank Holidays & London Closures

What's open and closed on public holidays in London

⚡ Quick Answer

The UK has 8 bank holidays per year in England and Wales. Banks and government offices close completely. Most shops treat bank holidays like Sundays (6-hour limit for large stores). Transport runs on reduced schedules. Only Christmas Day sees near-total closure.

📅 Bank Holidays Calendar

Date	Day	Holiday	What to Expect
January 1	Wednesday	New Year's Day	Banks, government closed. Many shops open (Sunday hours)
April 18	Friday	Good Friday	Banks, most shops closed. Restaurants usually open
April 21	Monday	Easter Monday	Banks closed. Shops open (Sunday hours)
May 5	Monday	Early May Bank Holiday	Banks closed. Shops open (Sunday hours)
May 26	Monday	Spring Bank Holiday	Banks closed. Shops open (Sunday hours)
August 25	Monday	Summer Bank Holiday	Banks closed. Shops open (Sunday hours)
December 25	Thursday	Christmas Day	Almost everything closed including transport
December 26	Friday	Boxing Day	Banks closed. Major sales begin. Some shops open

🔓 What's Open on Bank Holidays?

✅ Usually Open

• Supermarkets: Sunday hours (typically 10 AM - 4 PM or 11 AM - 5 PM)
• Restaurants & Pubs: Most open, some with special menus
• Tourist Attractions: Major museums usually open
• Public Transport: Sunday schedule on most services
• Corner Shops: Normal or extended hours
• Pharmacies: Rota system ensures some are open

❌ Usually Closed

• Banks: All branches closed
• Government Offices: Council, DVLA, etc.
• GP Surgeries: Call 111 for out-of-hours
• Post Offices: Most closed
• Schools: All closed
• Many Small Businesses: Independent shops vary

🎄 Special Holiday Notes

🎅 Christmas Day (December 25)

The only day when London truly shuts down. Almost all shops, restaurants, and pubs are closed. No Tube service. Very limited bus service. Plan ahead if you're in London — stock up on food and entertainment.

🎁 Boxing Day (December 26)

The start of the famous Boxing Day Sales. Major department stores (Selfridges, Harrods, John Lewis) open early with huge crowds. Smaller shops may stay closed. Transport runs on reduced schedules.

🐣 Good Friday & Easter

Good Friday is more "closed" than Easter Monday — many shops don't open at all. Easter Sunday: large shops legally can't open (except Scotland). Easter Monday: Sunday trading hours apply.

🚇 Transport on Bank Holidays

Service	Bank Holiday Schedule	Notes
London Underground	Sunday timetable	Less frequent, check TfL for engineering works
Buses	Sunday timetable	Night buses run normally
National Rail	Reduced / Sunday service	Major engineering often scheduled
Christmas Day	No Tube, very limited buses	Taxis and Ubers at premium prices

Pro tip: TfL often schedules maintenance on bank holidays. Always check theTfL website before travelling.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland Has Different Holidays

Scotland observes different bank holidays. Key differences:

• January 2: Bank holiday in Scotland only
• St Andrew's Day (Nov 30): Scottish bank holiday
• Easter Monday: Not a bank holiday in Scotland
• Summer Bank Holiday: First Monday of August (not last)
• Sunday trading laws: Don't apply in Scotland

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get paid extra for working bank holidays?

There's no legal right to extra pay for bank holidays — it depends on your contract. Many employers offer time and a half or double pay, but it's not required by law.

Are museums free on bank holidays?

The major national museums (British Museum, V&A, Natural History, etc.) are always free — bank holidays included. They'll be busier than usual though.

When is the next bank holiday?

Check the calendar above — the next bank holiday depends on when you're reading this. After New Year's Day, there's usually a long gap until Good Friday in spring.

Last updated: December 2024.