By booking just four days of annual leave around the August Bank Holiday, workers can turn a standard long weekend into a nine-day holiday, according to Chris Jeffery, director at Cofton Holidays. The strategy involves taking leave from Tuesday, September 1 to Friday, September 4, which, combined with the weekend and the bank holiday Monday, yields nine consecutive days off for those who do not usually work weekends.
How the Holiday Hack Works
Jeffery explains that the August Bank Holiday is often underused. “Many people simply enjoy the extra Monday off, but if you’re savvy, you can use the date as the perfect anchor for an extended break,” he said. The same technique applies at Christmas: taking four days off between December 27 and December 30 can create a break from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day without using a large amount of annual leave.
Maximising Bank Holidays Throughout the Year
Looking ahead to 2026, the May Bank Holidays can also be used to stretch time off. By planning around spring bank holidays, workers can turn a handful of annual leave days into multiple mini-breaks. Jeffery notes that “the greatest savings usually come from choosing when to travel.”
Cheapest Times to Travel in the UK
For those not restricted by school holiday dates, late June and early July offer the best value for staycations. “Early July we've got availability, lower prices and arguably better weather than the height of summer,” Jeffery said. Accommodation during this period can cost around half the price of an equivalent August stay, and roads and attractions are less crowded.
Jeffery advises treating bank holidays as a bonus day off and using them as the centrepiece of a longer break. “If you’ve got holiday time left to use, it may be worth thinking about taking a few days off. There’s still time to maximise your break,” he added.
