Hello everyone, I am your dedicated public holiday assistant. Recently, a little friend asked me about the title of How Many Bank Holidays in England 2023? Now I will summarize the relevant info, hoping to help those who want to know exactly how many days they can kick back and relax in 2023.
So, you’re probably sitting there wondering, “How many bank holidays does England have in 2023?” It’s a solid question if you’re planning vacations, booking time off, or just trying to figure out when you can catch a break. Let me break it down for you in plain English—no confusing government jargon, just the straight goods.
In 2023, England enjoyed a total of eight bank holidays. Yep, that’s the standard number for the year. But here’s the twist: one of those bank holidays was moved because of the King’s Coronation. The early May bank holiday, which normally falls on the first Monday of May (May 1, 2023), got shifted to Monday, May 8. So you didn’t get an extra day off—just a different date to celebrate. Same number of days, just shuffled around a bit.
Here’s the full list of bank holidays in England for 2023, with dates and what they’re all about:
- Monday, January 2 – New Year’s Day substitute (since Jan 1 fell on a Sunday)
- Friday, April 7 – Good Friday
- Monday, April 10 – Easter Monday
- Monday, May 8 – Early May bank holiday (moved from May 1 for the Coronation)
- Monday, May 29 – Spring bank holiday
- Monday, August 28 – Summer bank holiday
- Monday, December 25 – Christmas Day
- Tuesday, December 26 – Boxing Day
Now, you might have heard rumors that there were nine bank holidays because of the coronation. Nope, that’s a mix-up. The government only moved the existing early May holiday, they didn’t add an extra one. So England stuck with the usual eight.
It’s also worth noting that these are official bank holidays for England only. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have slightly different schedules. For example, Scotland doesn’t have the Summer bank holiday in August, and they do have St. Andrew’s Day as an optional holiday. But if you’re in England, you’re looking at the eight I listed above.
Questions Related to “How Many Bank Holidays England 2023”
Let’s tackle some common questions folks have been asking me about these holidays:
“What happens if a bank holiday falls on a weekend?” Good one. In England, if a bank holiday lands on a Saturday or Sunday, a substitute weekday is usually given. That’s why New Year’s Day was observed on Monday, January 2 in 2023. Same deal for Christmas Day: if it falls on a weekend, you get a “substitute” day off on the following Monday or Tuesday.
“Are these bank holidays the same every year?” Mostly, yes. The core ones like Christmas, Easter, and the Spring/Summer bank holidays are fixed. But the early May one sometimes gets moved for special events—like the 2023 coronation. So always double-check the exact dates each year.
“Do I get paid extra for working on a bank holiday?” That depends on your contract. There’s no automatic legal right to extra pay, but many employers offer time-and-a-half or give you a day off in lieu. Best to chat with your HR department or check your employee handbook.
“Can I use bank holidays as annual leave days?” Usually, yes, if you have a flexible holiday system. But if your job gives you bank holidays off as standard, you can’t trade them for other days unless you have an agreement. Some people prefer to work on bank holidays for the extra dough and then take a different day off.
“What about school holidays – do bank holidays affect them?” Not directly, but many schools close on bank holidays anyway. Teachers often get them off, but school terms are set by local authorities, so it can vary.
To sum it up: England had exactly eight bank holidays in 2023, with the early May one rescheduled to May 8 for the coronation. The full list covers New Year, Easter, two spring/summer breaks, and the Christmas period. If you’re planning your year off, you can count on these eight days (some of which might feel like a three-day weekend if they fall on a Monday). Just remember that Scotland and other UK nations play by different rules.
public holiday calendar.COM – Thank you for reading, I hope this article helps you fully understand how many bank holidays England 2023 had. If you’ve got more questions about any public holiday in the UK or elsewhere, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your friendly Holiday Little Assistant is always here to help!