Look, I know it seems utterly ludicrous to be thinking about the prospect of the new year. But at the alarmingly rapid rate at which 2027 is currently hurtling towards us, it’ll be here before we know it. And failing to prepare is preparing to fail, and all that. So, I come bearing a handy little trick that will allow you to maximise your days off work next year; transforming 28 days of annual leave into a whopping 64 days off work. How does this wizardry work, I hear you ask? Well, my friends, please allow me to explain.
Holiday-maxxing 2027
January
Dates off work: January 1 – January 10
Dates to book off: January 5 – January 8
Number of days off: 10
Annual leave used: 4 days
We’re starting as we mean to go on here, folks. 2027 starts on a Friday (as all good things do), meaning that the New Year Bank Holiday leads swiftly into a weekend. If you then take the first full week of the year as annual leave, you’ll be treating yourself to a hefty 10 days off, using just 4 days of holiday.
March/April
Dates off work: March 26 – April 5
Dates to book off: March 29 – April 2
Number of days off: 10
Annual leave used: 5 days
This is the bank holiday where we Brits are getting the most bang for our buck. With Good Friday and Easter Monday allowing us a delightful 4-day weekend, by taking just 5 days of annual leave here, you’ll be getting 10 days of rest of relaxation.
May
Dates off work: May 1 – May 9
Dates to book off: May 4 – May 7
Number of days off: 9
Annual leave used: 4 days
Another trusty bank holiday allows for 9 days off work in exchange for just 4 days of your annual leave allowance.
June
Dates off work: May 29 – June 6
Dates to book off: June 1 – June 4
Number of days off: 9
Annual leave used: 4 days
The same rule applies here: another sweet, sweet bank holiday Monday melting away all of our problems.
August/September
Dates off work: July 31 – August 8
Dates to book off: August 3 – 6
Number of days off: 9
Annual leave used: 4 days
No end-of-summer blues here, because – you guessed it, folks – a bank holiday Monday is, yet again, here to save the day.
November
Dates off work: November 27 – 30
Dates to book off: November 29
Number of days off: 4
Annual leave used: 1 day
Scotland gets an extra Bank Holiday for St Andrew’s Day, so might as well make the most of it into a three-day working week!
December
Dates off work: December 22 – January 3, 2028
Dates to book off: December 22 – December 24 and December 29 – December 31
Number of days off: 13
Annual leave used: 6 days
And last (but by no means least) we have a lengthy Christmas vacay. With your final 6 days of annual leave, you could treat yourself to a whopping 13-day break over Christmas. Go on, you deserve it.
