UK Bank Holidays: August Bank Holiday, the last one of Summer and before Christmas

This weekend, in the UK, is one of our special ones.

It has the added bonus of incorporating a Bank Holiday. Throughout the year the UK has various Bank Holidays which mean an extra day away from work and more often than not bad weather.

For those of you visiting the UK remember that Bank Holiday weekends may be busy, offer less frequent public transport services and have limited opening hours at shops and museums, for example. These days however many workers do not reap the benefits of a Bank Holiday, as many now have to work. At one time working a Bank Holiday attracted overtime pay and time in lieu. Sadly this is now not the case for many UK workers.

As Bank Holidays appear to be a rather peculiar British Institution these days I thought I would share some information regarding them and possible attractions for this Bank Holiday weekend.

What is a Bank Holiday?

In simple terms Bank Holidays are additional holiday days, either when people are on paid leave from work or, if they have to work, are paid additional rates of pay. As I have already stated, with changes in people's lifestyles and rates of pay these days our sacred Bank Holidays are very much under threat.

Bank Holiday dates tend to vary in Scotland. The lucky Scottish folk often have additional days, to those we enjoy in England. Years ago, Bank Holidays were sacristan and everywhere closed. Unless you were visiting somewhere such as a seaside resort or specific Bank Holiday attraction, all the shops would be closed.

At one time, there were many saints and festival days in the UK. These were reduced in 1834 and then standardised in 1871. The name Bank Holiday came from the fact that these holiday days were specifically created with bank employees in mind. They were created in order to enable Bank staff to participate in village cricket competitions. How very British.

Over the years and from time to time, these holiday days were amended and then in 1972 the August Bank Holiday was moved to the last Monday of August, instead of the first Monday of the month. I remember the August Bank Holiday being earlier and it made sense as it was usually better weather. I guess though it meant a long haul until Christmas

These days England and Wales have less Bank Holidays than Ireland and Scotland. Even so there are eight official Bank Holidays, in England each year, which include Good Friday, Easter Monday and Christmas.

Usually bank holidays end up being termed, Bank Holiday weekends. This is because most people are on leave from work, from the Friday until the Tuesday. Some local council staff are also on leave from work on the Tuesday following a Bank Holiday. Lucky them.

If you are in England when it will be a Bank Holiday weekend remember that it is an official holiday and as such people will be out more. The roads may be congested if you head for the coast and usually the weather is dismal. It is a sad fact that no matter how glorious the weather is before the bank holiday it will turn wet and miserable come the holiday. However, this year the weather has been rather poor leading up to the August Bank Holiday and Monday has a fairly decent forecast.

A sample of August Bank Holiday weekend events for 2010.

The Notting Hill Carnival in London

Reading Festival

Various events in Yorkshire

Make a last trip before Autumn to the seaside or the countryside.

Sadly you are too late for Whitby Folk week, just, but think about Whitby for next year.

Many UK residents will use this weekend to jet off for a last minute or late summer vacation. They will be able to enjoy a long vacation but not have to use too many annual leave days from work.

Overall I view this Bank Holiday Weekend as the last burst of summer. True early September often heralds a brief Indian Summer or spell of good weather but the nights will be drawing in and the temperatures will soon cool down each day.

Having said this then enjoy your Bank Holiday and party likes its 1999. After all Autumn and Winter are just around the corner.