2012 May Bank Holiday Breaks

Get the most from your bank holiday weekends in May!

In the UK, May is blessed with two bank holiday weekends, and it seems a shame to spend those rare three day bank holiday weekends at home when there are so many fantastic places to escape to for a short break. The May Day bank holiday (Early May bank holiday) on the first Monday and the Spring bank holiday on the last represent the two bank holidays in May. Due to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee there will be a special bank holiday in 2012, moving the late May bank holiday to the 4th June and the Jubilee bank holiday taking place on the 5th June.

The actual origins of the May Bank Holidays, especially May Day, are somewhat unclear, originating in pre-Christian Europe, yet adopted to mean many things to many people. The May Bank holiday celebrations are now usually seen as the start of summer, providing a chance to rid you of the winter blues over the May Bank Holiday weekend.

May Bank Holiday Dates 2012
Monday 7th May, 2012

Spring Bank Holiday Dates 2012
Monday 4th June 2012
Tuesday 5th June 2012

Top Five May Bank Holiday Destinations

2012 May Bank Holidays in Scotland

There are always a huge number of May bank holiday events put on in Scotland. Show Scotland is an unmissable bank holiday celebration of creative culture hosted in galleries, museums and town centres across the country.

2012 May Bank Holidays in France

With only three days to take over a May bank holiday weekend and quick transport options, France is a great choice for a bank holiday break. Plus with three May holidays of their own, there is always something special to do!

2012 May Bank Holidays in Wales

Escaping to Wales with your family in May is a wonderful experience. The rural regions are coming into full bloom by May Day, providing some of the most picturesque and charming places to enjoy the bank holiday Monday.

2012 May Bank Holidays in Portugal

If you would like to celebrate your May Bank Holiday weekend in the sun, the beaches of Portugal's famous Algarve region are beginning to get into full swing, letting you enjoy the first hot summer holidays of the year.

2012 May Bank Holidays in England

There are a number of villages and towns in England which offer fantastic May Day Celebrations, including the Obby Oss Festival in Padstow and the traditional May Day events in Whitstable and Rochester in Kent.

There are many options for taking bank holiday weekend breaks, with many of our holiday home owners happy to take short bookings over bank holidays if you do not wish to take a full week off work after the bank holiday Monday. The chance to spend a little quality time with your family is a great motivation to taking a bank holiday break abroad. However, with such a short time with which to travel, you may wish to take a holiday close to home in the UK.

The May bank holidays are still celebrated in a traditional style in many town and villages throughout the UK. Morris dancers, Maypoles and sporting events are enjoyed with gusto in many regions, from the traditional May Day celebrations in Whitstable and Rochester to the Guineas Racing Festival at Newmarket Racecourse and from the Spirit of Speyside Whiskey Festival to the Exmoor Walking and Cycling Festival in Devon. Wherever you wish to be for the May bank holiday weekends, finding excellent entertainment will be easy.

See all available holiday homes for the Early May bank holiday

See all available holiday homes for the Late May bank holiday