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How to Maximise your Annual Leave in 2024
11/12/2023
Use this holiday hack to maximise your annual leave, all it takes is some strategic planning. While bank holidays may fall on different days in England and Scotland we have managed to find a way to turn 21 days of annual leave into 49 consecutive days off work for both!
So, how is it done? All you need to do is look at 2024's bank holidays and schedule your days off around them. We know how important it is to get the most holiday time to spend with those you love, so let us take you on a detailed guide of the best days to take your annual leave and even give you some helpful tips on how you can spend that time off.
Good Friday & Easter Monday
10 days off for 4 days leave!
The first Bank Holidays you will want to use are Good Friday and Easter Monday. This double whammy of bank holiday dates take place at either side of the Easter weekend, giving you two options for a 10 day break.
England & Wales:
Option 1:
| Annual leave used | Days to book off | Consecutive days off you'll have | Time period you'll be off |
| 4 Days | March 25th - March 28th | 10 day break | March 23rd - April 1st |
Option 2:
| Annual leave used | Days to book off | Consecutive days off you'll have | Time period you'll be off |
| 4 Days | April 2nd - April 5th | 10 day break | March 29th - April 7th |
Scotland:
If you're in Scotland the bank holidays given are different to England, with only Good Friday being given for the Easter period. Overall, Scotland gets more bank holidays with a total of 9, while England only gets 8 - lucky you!
| Annual leave used | Days to book off | Consecutive days off you'll have | Time period you'll be off |
| 4 Days | March 25th - March 28th | 9 day break | March 23rd - March 31st |
Now you've got this massive break, you need to make a decision of how you will spend your well-earned time off! Easter holidays are the perfect time to create wonderful memories on a UK family holiday. With beautiful locations across Scotland, Devon and Northern England, you're spoilt for choice at our leisure parks.
Whether you're after a couples holiday or a family getaway, Easter is the perfect time to maximise your leave and book a holiday.
May Half Term
9 days off for 4 days leave!
The next holidays you should think about booking off are around the two May Half Term dates.
England, Wales & Scotland
| Annual leave used | Days to book off | Consecutive days off you'll have | Time period you'll be off |
| 4 days | May 7th - 10th | 9 day break | May 4th - May 12th |
| 4 days | May 28th - May 31st | 9 day break | May 25th - June 2nd |
With spring well underway and loads of events lined up at our parks, May is the perfect time to maximise your leave and book a holiday.
Why not use the opportunity to get away to some of the most romantic holiday destinations the UK has to offer, or take advantage of the spring weather to go on some scenic walks?
August bank holiday
9 days off for 4 days leave!
There is a singular Bank Holiday in August, falling on different dates in England and Scotland, that you can use to maximise your holiday time.
England & Wales
| Annual leave used | Days to book off | Consecutive days off you'll have | Time period you'll be off |
| 4 days | August 27th - 30th | 9 day break | August 24th - September 1st |
Scotland
| Annual leave used | Days to book off | Consecutive days off you'll have | Time period you'll be off |
| 4 days | August 6th - 9th | 9 day break | August 3rd - 11th |
Wondering what to do on your bank holiday break? We recommend taking some time away to relax. Our Leisure Parks are in many beautiful locations across Scotland, Northern England and Devon making them the perfect option for a UK getaway.
Whether you’d like to relax by the seaside, or have a romantic weekend break in the countryside, we’ve got something for you.
Festive Season
12 days off for 5 days leave!
The end of 2024, going very slightly into 2025 if you include New Year's Day, has 3 Bank Holidays in very close succession. This allows for a long festive break to be easily achievable if you book off the right days. You'll get Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day off as Bank Holidays so make sure you book the following days off to maximise your annual leave:
England & Wales
| Annual leave used | Days to book off | Consecutive days off you'll have | Time period you'll be off |
| 5 days |
December 23rd - 24th December 27th - 31st |
12 day break | December 21st - Jan 1st |
Scotland
| Annual leave used | Days to book off | Consecutive days off you'll have | Time period you'll be off |
| 5 days |
December 23rd - 24th December 27th - 31st |
13 day break | December 21st - Jan 2nd |
The festive break is a great time to bring the family together and create memories with the little ones, or that special someone.
With award-winning accommodation, top-class facilities and amazing festive entertainment there is no better place to escape this Christmas than a UK holiday with Verdant Leisure.
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