Want 18 Days Off This May? Book These Dates and Spend Your Holidays in Cornwall

Annual leave hack revealed as UK searches for May bank holiday breaks surge

Searches for “bank holidays 2025 UK” have shot up by 100% in the past week, as workers across the country look to make the most of warmer weather and plan their holidays. And with the Met Office predicting the hottest temperatures of the year so far at the start of May, many are turning their attention to Cornwall for a spring staycation.

To help people maximise their time off, Parkdean Resorts has revealed the exact dates you should book to get up to 18 days off in May, using just 8 days of annual leave.

How to unlock 18 days off with 8 days’ leave

There are two key opportunities to take nine consecutive days off in May 2025, thanks to the Bank Holidays in England and Wales. Full-time workers who book:

• Tuesday 6th to Friday 9th May 2025, or

• Tuesday 27th to Friday 30th May 2025

…will get nine full days off including the weekends. If you book both, that’s 18 days off work in total.

Part-time workers can also make note of these dates to help plan longer breaks around the bank holidays.

More ways to stretch your leave in 2025

If you’re planning ahead, Parkdean Resorts has shared more useful dates to get the most out of your holiday allowance:

• August 2025: Book Tuesday 26th to Friday 29th for nine consecutive days off during peak summer, using just four days of leave.

• December 2025: Booking Monday 22nd to Wednesday 24th and Monday 29th to Wednesday 31st gets you 13 consecutive days off over Christmas with just six days of annual leave.

• New Year 2026: Book Friday 2nd January off to enjoy a four-day New Year break starting on the Bank Holiday Thursday.

Looking to holiday in Cornwall?

If a May getaway in Cornwall sounds tempting, Parkdean Resorts has a range of May Bank Holiday breaks starting from just £139. From coastal retreats to family-friendly holiday parks, it’s a chance to enjoy the best of Cornwall without leaving the UK.
You can view Parkdean Resorts’ full range of May bank holiday breaks here.

And if you’re staying local, check out our feature on Tidelight — the smart lamp built in a Cornish garage that shows the tide at your favourite beach, perfect for planning beach days around the tide times.