How to Maximise Your Annual Leave in 2026 (and Make the Most of Every Moment)

Life isn’t meant to be lived behind a desk. It’s about getting out there — meeting people, exploring new places, and soaking up every bit of beauty Great Britain has to offer. Here at Lovat Parks, we believe your time off is precious. It’s when you reconnect, recharge, and remind yourself what life’s really about. And with a little bit of clever planning, your annual leave can stretch much further than you think. So, if you’ve got 23 days of annual leave to use in 2026, here’s how to make them work harder for you, turning long weekends and bank holidays into a year packed with adventures, slow mornings, and unforgettable escapes.

🎉 January – Start the Year Right

Bank Holiday: Thursday 1st January 2026 (New Year’s Day)
Book off: Friday 2nd January

What better way to kick off the year than with a four day weekend?

Book Friday 2nd January off and ease into 2026 with a peaceful break. Whether you fancy a cosy winter staycation or a quiet countryside cabin, this is your moment to breathe after the festive whirlwind and start the year feeling refreshed.

🐣 April – The Easter Stretch

Bank Holidays: Friday 3rd April (Good Friday) & Monday 6th April (Easter Monday)
Book off: Monday 30st March – Thursday 2nd April and Tuesday 7th April – Friday 10th April

Easter gives you one of the best leave-hacks of the year.

Book eight days and you’ll unlock a 16 day holiday, perfect for your first proper getaway of 2026.

🌸 May – Two Bank Holidays, Endless Possibilities

Bank Holidays: Monday 4th May (Early May Bank Holiday) & Monday 25th May (Spring Bank Holiday)
Book off: Tuesday 5th May – Thursday 7th May and Tuesday 26th May – Friday 29th May

May is a dream for the strategic holiday planner. Two bank holidays mean double the opportunity for long breaks.

Start with a five-day weekend in early May, just enough time to explore a new corner of the UK or simply slow down and enjoy the lighter days.

Then, round off the month with a nine-day stretch by booking four days off around the Spring Bank Holiday. Whether it’s a family road trip or a lazy coastal escape, it’s the perfect pre-summer recharge.

☀️ August – The Summer Bank Holiday Bonanza

Bank Holiday: Monday 31st August 2026 (Summer Bank Holiday)
Book off: Tuesday 1st September – Friday 4th September

Late August brings one final long, golden chance to soak up summer. Book four days off after the bank holiday and you’ll enjoy nine full days of sunshine, sea dips, and simple pleasures.

Make it count, pitch up under the stars, head to the coast, or gather your favourite people for a last-summer hurrah before autumn arrives.

🎄 December – Festive Feels & A Fresh Start

Bank Holidays: Friday 25th December (Christmas Day) & Monday 28th December (Boxing Day Substitute)
Book off: Tuesday 29th December – Thursday 31st December

The festive season: lights, laughter, and that glorious time when nobody knows what day it is. With just three days of annual leave, you’ll glide from Christmas straight into a nine day winter break, all thanks to New Year’s Day 2027 landing on a Friday. Whether you’re celebrating with family or escaping somewhere peaceful, it’s the perfect way to round off 2026 and welcome the new year feeling recharged and inspired.

🌿 Your Year of Adventure Awaits

So there you have it, with a bit of forward planning, 23 days of annual leave can turn into over 50 days of freedom. Wherever you choose to go — near or far — make sure your time off gives you what you really need: rest, joy, and a little bit of adventure. And if you’re staying local? You know where to find us. We’ve got holiday parks across the UK, so why not make your next break one of our holidays by nature?

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