New Year's DayWednesday 1st January 2014
The bank holiday for New Year's Day marks the celebration of the first day of the new calendar year on January 1. On years where this date falls on a weekend a day is given in lieu during the week. Celebrations usually take place the night before with the strike of the clock at midnight being the focus, and New Year's Day is often a day of recovery and rest. In 2014 the bank holiday for New Year's Day falls on Wednesday 1st January.
Good FridayFriday 18th April 2014
Good Friday is a religious holiday, originating from the Christian faith. Most working UK citizens, regardless of religious beliefs, take this as a public holiday. Christians remember Jesus Christ's crucifixion on this day, with Easter Sunday, the celebration of his resurrection, falling two days later. The date varies each year depending of the date of Easter Sunday.
Easter MondayMonday 21st April 2014
Easter Monday is a public holiday in the UK celebrated by Christians as a day of brightness and renewal after Easter Sunday. Its date varies depending on the time of Easter that year. It is customary amongst Christians to go 'egg rolling' with friends and family. Hard boiled painted eggs or, more recently, chocolate eggs are rolled down a hill in friendly competition.
Early May Bank HolidayMonday 5th May 2014
Early May Bank Holiday, more commonly known as May Day, is usually on the first Monday of May in the UK. Across western cultures it is a traditional spring holiday, and has associations with both northern European pagans and International Workers' Day. In Great Britain historical celebrations include Morris dancing, maypole dancing and the crowning of a May Queen.
Spring Bank HolidayMonday 26th May 2014
Falling on the last Monday in May, Spring Bank Holiday is the modern replacement for Whit Monday. Its date originally varied each year according to the date of Easter Sunday but it has now been set in a more fixed position.
Summer Bank HolidayMonday 25th August 2014
Summer Bank Holiday is the last Monday in August in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is more formally known as Late Summer Bank Holiday due to its replacement of an earlier holiday, August Bank Holiday, at the beginning of August. Scotland has retained the August Bank Holiday which falls on the first Monday of the month.
Christmas DayThursday 25th December 2014
Christmas Day is a religious holiday in the Christian Faith, although it is celebrated by much of the wider population of England regardless of religious beliefs. Christians celebrate their belief in the birth of Jesus Christ on this day and exchange gifts with friends and family. Christmas Day is a civil holiday across many of the world's nations and always falls on the 25th of December. Where the date falls on a weekend a bank holiday is given in lieu during the week.
Boxing DayFriday 26th December 2014
Falling the day after Christmas Day, Boxing Day is a bank holiday in the UK. In days gone by bosses would give their servants and tradesmen gifts of thanks on this day. In modern times it is usually spent relaxing and visiting family who were not present on Christmas Day. Where the date falls on a weekend a bank holiday is given in lieu during the week.