Many of us struggle to take enough time off to do all the things we want to, but a viral TikTok trend has revealed a clever way to make the most of your annual leave. With a little bit of strategic planning, you can make your annual leave go further for 2025.
In the UK, almost all employees are legally entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday each year. While this may seem generous, it can quickly be used up with school holidays, beach breaks and well deserved days off.
Just in time for the New Year booking rush, the holiday experts at Parkdean Resorts have shared the exact dates you need to book to help you maximise your annual leave. Get them in your diary now.
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With a bit of smart planning, getting more days off is easy. Here’s how to do it:
Maximise your annual leave in April
Employees can get the double the days off in April, thanks to the Good Friday and Easter Monday bank holidays.
If you book off Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 17 2025, as well as Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, April 25 2025, you can enjoy a whopping 16 consecutive days off work for just eight days of annual leave.
Take advantage of May’s Bank Holidays
May offers several opportunities for long breaks, thanks to multiple bank holidays. By booking four days off between Tuesday, May 6 to Friday, May 9 or Tuesday, May 27 to Friday, May 30, employees can enjoy nine consecutive days off.
For those looking for an even longer holiday, booking all eight days off will extend the break to 16 days in total.
Enjoy summer with an August break
August is a great month for a summer holiday, and workers can maximise their time off with just four days of annual leave.
By booking leave from Tuesday, August 26 to Friday, August 29, it’s possible to enjoy nine consecutive days off, perfect for soaking up the sun without using up too many leave days.
Lengthen your Christmas break next year
To make the most of the Christmas holidays, booking just six days off between Monday, December 22 to Wednesday, December 24 and Monday, December 29 to Wednesday, December 31 will give workers a very festive 13 consecutive days off.
Need something to do with all that extra time off? Parkdean Resorts offers three day breaks from as little as £79, with fun packed deals available through the year, including the school holidays.
Alternatively, Haven Hideaway breaks offer caravan accommodation by the coast from £49, and Sykes Cottages has cottage stays starting from £230.