When is the August Bank Holiday?
This is a Bank Holiday observed on the last Monday in August in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
In Scotland, the August Bank Holiday is observed on the first Monday in August. It should be mentioned that banks in Scotland observe the English Bank Holiday dates. This creates a confusing situation in Scotland where banks are not closed are not on the Scottish August Bank Holiday.
Traditions of the August Bank Holiday
Unlike the Spring bank holidays, the August holiday does not represent a modern version of any older religious festival.
Maybe Sir John Lubbock did choose it in 1871 to coincide with a key cricket match, but more likely the date holiday in August was selected to give workers a last chance to enjoy the summer, before the long period without holidays up to Christmas.
“Of all the Bank Holidays the Monday in August seems the most genuine. Whit Monday, like Easter Monday, moves with the compulsion of the moon. August Bank Holiday depends upon nothing but itself. It is a gift-day, out of, and generally under, the blue.”
~A.A.Milne
In 1964 Edward Heath, then-Secretary of State for Industry proposed a temporary change to the date of the August Bank Holiday in England and Wales (not Scotland) from the first Monday of the month to the last.
The change to the end of August had been suggested for many years by both industry and unions as the early August holiday almost always clashed with the traditional summer two-week shut down of the major industries that started in the last week of July.
The trial was seen as successful and in August 1971, the change to the last Monday in August was made permanent in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Scotland kept the original date.
One of the most notable events that takes place on the August Bank Holiday is the Notting Hill Carnival. Carnival attracts around two million attendees to the streets of West London, making it one of the world's largest street festivals. It began in 1966 and is a celebration of London's Caribbean communities, their culture, and traditions. Carnival lasts for two days and features a parade and live music, including reggae, steel bands, and salsa.
Bank Holidays in the UK
On Bank Holidays, generally on a Monday, some shops and banks are closed. Shops that open may follow different trading hours than normal and transport may run on a reduced schedule. There will be no postal service.
Bank holidays were first introduced by the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, which designated four holidays in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and five in Scotland.
These were Easter Monday, the first Monday in August, December 26th, and Whit Monday (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and New Year's Day, Good Friday, the first Monday in May, the first Monday in August, and Christmas Day (Scotland).
