Spring Bank Holiday

Spring Bank Holiday History

Spring Bank Holiday is a public holiday in the United Kingdom. The day provides an opportunity for individuals and families to enjoy an extended weekend break from work or education. The holiday is part of a series of May Bank Holidays, which are observed to acknowledge the start of the summer season and promote relaxation, leisure activities, and outdoor pursuits.

The origins of Spring Bank Holiday can be traced back to the ancient Roman and Celtic festivities, which celebrated the beginning of the warmer season. In 1971, the UK government decided to introduce the present-day Spring Bank Holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act. This legislation aimed to provide everyone with an additional public holiday in May, offering a perfect opportunity for people across the UK to socialise, relax and explore local attractions and events.

Today, Spring Bank Holiday is observed in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland on the last Monday of May. In Scotland, it is observed on the last Monday in May only if it coincides with an English bank holiday, otherwise, it is observed on the first Monday of June. The customs and activities associated with Spring Bank Holiday vary throughout the country. Many people take advantage of the long weekend to enjoy mini-vacations, outdoor events, or family gatherings. Popular activities during this time include visiting local parks, attending music festivals or local fairs, and engaging in various sports and outdoor pursuits. The Spring Bank Holiday marks the unofficial start to summer and offers a much-needed respite from the daily grind, encouraging Britons to indulge in some leisurely relaxation before the hustle and bustle of the season kicks in.

Spring Bank Holiday Facts

• In the British county of Gloucester, a 9 lb wheel of Double Gloucester cheese is rolled down a steep hill. The cheese reaches speeds of up to 70mph. People chase after it, the first person to cross the finish line at the bottom of the hill wins the aforementioned cheese.
• As with many British holidays, there are layers of history behind the current configuration. Many Pagan rituals like rolling burning bundles of brushwood or scattering buns comprise the larger bank holiday.
• Bank Holidays were first introduced by the Bank Holidays Act of 1871. This act allocated four holidays in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland was granted five.
• No-one's going to stop us doing it. They say it's not official but we are all Brockworth people and we're running the cheese today so it is official. We strongly believe in it - Helen Thorpe, former winner of the Cheese-Roll
• One popular tradition associated with Spring Bank Holiday is the annual Chelsea Flower Show, held in London. This prestigious event showcases breathtaking gardens and floral displays and attracts visitors from all over the world.
• Spring Bank Holiday also marks the final Monday of the spring half-term break for schools in the UK, providing families with an extended weekend to spend together before the summer term begins.

In the News and Trending for Spring Bank Holiday

Spring Bank Holiday Top Events and Things to Do

• Enter the Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling race! In the small British village of Brockworth, people climb to the top of Cooper’s Hill and proceed to chase large wheels of cheese down it. The world famous event is organic and takes place spontaneously. A brief period of semi-management did occur but the event is so dangerous (broken arms and legs are common) that it seems no one wants to be held liable.
• Visit your local park. As a secular holiday, the Late Spring Bank Holiday is usually a time for catching up with friends and family whilst enjoying a day off from work and school.
• Get on your dancing shoes! In Britain Bank Holidays are famed for their nightlife. Clubs put on large line-ups featuring world class artists, DJs, and bands. Taking advantage of the extra day off means clubs open on Sundays too. Try the Warehouse Project in Manchester or Bussey Building in London.
• Attend a festival. There are numerous festivals that run on this Bank Holiday. We recommend the popular Hay Festival of Literature & Arts, which has been held since 1988 in Hay-on-Wye (Wales).