As the New Year approaches, so does a fresh holiday calendar in most workplaces. So for those yet to book all their days off next year, the UK holiday park operator, Away Resorts, has revealed the 2025 holiday hack to maximise time off next year.
The statutory annual leave allowance in the UK is 28 days. But some of us will be looking at ways to make this feel longer.
Jo Forey, Group Guest Experience Operations Manager at Away Resorts comments: “Time off work – whether that is spent abroad, on a UK staycation, or enjoying our favourite hobbies at home – is important for our mental health, stress levels, and job satisfaction. A break in a new environment can help us to switch off from day-to-day workplace stresses, and enjoy time with loved ones. A simple holiday hack for 2025 is to group annual leave around bank holidays and seasonal events like Easter and Christmas, this will make holidays feel longer. More time off is more time for us to do what we love, with those we love.”
The best annual leave dates to book in 2025
January
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Book off the 2nd and 3rd to take advantage of the New Year bank holiday on 1st January. Depending how your 2024 and December days fall, this could be up to 11 days off in a row – a nice way to start the year!
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Annual leave days used: 2
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Consecutive days off: 8, or 11 if you have between Christmas and New Year off this month.
April
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Easter falls in late April this year, with Good Friday on the 18th, and Easter Monday on the 21st. Booking off the four days off in the two weeks either side of Easter will give you an extra long holiday.
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Annual leave days used: 8
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Consecutive days off: 16
May
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This month is renowned for its double bank holiday, both at the start and the end. Taking off four days on the week of the Early May bank holiday (6th – 9th) and the Spring bank holiday (27th – 30th) will allow you to make the most of the bank holidays.
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Annual leave days used: 8
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Consecutive days off: 9 each week, so 18 in total
August
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The August bank holiday falls on the 25th in 2025, so taking holiday around this time (26th – 29th) allows you to maximise the day off work already.
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Annual leave days used: 4
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Consecutive days off: 9
December
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Christmas day in 2025 falls on a Thursday, meaning the Friday 26th will already be a day off as Boxing Day. Taking off the days before (22nd – 24th) and then the 29th – 31st after, will give you a nice long fortnight off for the festive season and New Year’s celebrations.
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Annual leave days used: 6
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Consecutive days off: 13
“The holiday calendar is about to refresh for the year, so we suggest getting in early with annual leave requests, before colleagues, to ensure you get the most time next year that you can on time off enjoying holidays,” adds Jo.