Bank Holiday in the UK: Why is everything suddenly so crowded? Here’s how to make the most of your day!

You’re out and about in London, Edinburgh, Brighton or Manchester. The weekend actually feels quite normal – except that there are more people everywhere than you expected. The streets are busier, restaurants have no walk-in tables, and you can only get into your favourite museum if you’re prepared to queue. Chances are you’ve ended up in the UK on a Bank Holiday weekend. This is essentially a long weekend when many people have time off and are out and about as a result. To make sure this doesn’t become a source of stress, it helps to understand what a Bank Holiday actually means and how you can still plan your day well.

What is a Bank Holiday – in a nutshell

A Bank Holiday is a public holiday in the UK that often falls on a Monday. What makes it special is that it’s not just banks that are closed – many businesses, schools and offices are also closed. For locals, this automatically means a short break, a family outing or a day trip. As a result, on these weekends it’s not just tourists who flock to the cities – many locals also use their day off to do exactly what you’re planning to do.

Important bank holidays throughout the year (national and varying by region):

• New Year’s Day (1 January)
• Good Friday & Easter Monday (March/April)
• Early May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May)
• Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday in May)
• Summer Bank Holiday (last Monday in August, England & Wales; first Monday in August, Scotland)
• Christmas Day & Boxing Day (25th/26th December)

Scotland also has its own public holidays. It’s worth having a quick look on the official gov.uk website, as the dates can vary slightly each year.

What you should plan differently for bank holiday weekends

The problem is rarely the venue itself – it’s getting there. Many plans don’t fall through whilst you’re there, but whilst you’re waiting: the restaurant isn’t available at short notice, the queue outside the museum stretches on endlessly, the popular pub has a waiting list. Here are three tips to make your day more relaxed:

Tip 1: Prioritise activities that don’t involve queuing

Plan your day so that you don’t have to get into somewhere every 90 minutes. Walks by the water, through neighbourhoods or around markets work well even when cities are packed. Parks and green spaces still offer space even when exhibitions are fully booked. Plan meals and drinks as fixed points in your day: book a table in advance or deliberately eat a little earlier than usual – rather than hoping three times that you’ll find something on the spur of the moment.

Tip 2: Make the most of times when it’s less busy

Late morning to early afternoon is often particularly busy: everyone has arrived, is well-rested and out and about. If you want to see iconic spots, you’re much better off going early in the morning. In the evening, things calm down again – especially for anything that isn’t tied to opening hours.

Tip 3: Head to where the city has space

Don’t avoid all the crowds, but make a conscious decision about when to venture into the busiest areas. Neighbourhoods away from the main attractions are often surprisingly pleasant on bank holidays – because everyone else is all in one place.

City tips for bank holiday weekends

London

The city has plenty of space if you look for it. The Thames Path, South Bank, parks and individual neighbourhoods are easy to explore even on busy weekends. Iconic attractions such as Tower Bridge or the Tate Modern: visit early in the morning. If you fancy a spontaneous meal, it’s best to choose a neighbourhood with plenty of options and, if necessary, lower your expectations a little – that way, you’ll find a table more easily.

Brighton

On bank holidays, the town attracts day-trippers from London in droves. The beach and promenade get very crowded as a result. It’s better to discover Brighton on foot – focusing on the coast, The Lanes and a stroll through the town, rather than hoping for a free stretch of beach or sharing the coastal strip with thousands of other beachgoers.

Manchester

If you’re looking for an area where most things are within walking distance, you’ll avoid having to constantly drive or walk right across the city. Shopping and the high streets are generally accessible, but much busier at peak times – if shopping is your aim, it’s better to go earlier or later in the day.

Edinburgh

The Old Town can become a bottleneck, particularly the usual walking routes around the Royal Mile and Castlehill. If you include larger green spaces and longer walking routes in your plans, you’ll often have a more relaxing day. Taking in the views and going for a walk as your main activity often works better on bank holidays than popping into attractions on the spur of the moment.

Summary

A Bank Holiday in the UK means the country is in ‘long weekend’ mode. More people, more hustle and bustle, but no reason for a bad trip. If you visit neighbourhoods rather than attractions, adjust your timing accordingly and make ‘more space rather than bottlenecks’ your guiding principle, you’ll still have a great time – and often a more relaxed one than if everything were empty.

The a&o Hostels in London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Brighton are centrally located, providing quick and easy access to the city centre – whether it’s a bank holiday or not.

Questions and Answers

What is a bank holiday in the UK – and why is everything so crowded then?
A Bank Holiday is a public holiday that often falls on a Monday. Many businesses and schools are closed, which means locals and tourists are out and about at the same time.

Are attractions generally overcrowded at Bank Holiday weekends?
Not all of them, but popular spots are significantly busier than on normal weekends. If you set off early and time your visits well, you can still enjoy many of them.

What time of day is less crowded in London or Edinburgh on bank holiday weekends?
Early mornings and late evenings are generally quieter. Afternoons are often the busiest, as that’s when everyone is out and about.

Is Brighton particularly busy on bank holidays – and how can I cope with it?
Yes, Brighton attracts lots of day trippers from London. The beach and promenade get crowded – a stroll through The Lanes or the city centre is often more relaxed.

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