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We've just had one of the last bank holidays for 2025, with many likely already thinking ahead to those remaining this year, and the ones to come in 2026. Next year, the Boxing Day bank holiday will "move" from December 26.

This is because Boxing Day will fall on a Saturday, meaning there will be a substitute bank holiday the following Monday, December 30. If your annual leave begins on January 1, this means you'll receive a fresh batch of time off as the new year begins.

Whether you use this accumulated leave to holiday with family, relax with mates, or simply enjoy some alone time is entirely up to you. And whatever you choose, a straightforward trick could transform your standard 28 days of holiday into some 58 days off work in some lovely long stretches.

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It's all about bank holidays and some tactical planning. Similar hacks have been available in past years but, unfortunately for some, it only applies to those who don't work weekends, and are given bank holidays off as standard, or do not have to take them as a holiday.

To begin with, book Friday, January 2, off work to get four consecutive days off following the New Year's Day bank holiday. Then, when spring rolls around, you can enjoy some 14 days off work with eight days' leave.

You'll need to book off Monday and Tuesday, March 30 and 31, as well as Wednesday and Thursday, April 1 and 2, and Tuesday-Friday April 7-10 off. Easter falls on Sunday April 5 so we have bank holidays on Friday April 3 and Monday April 4.

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May's two bank holidays provide two separate chances to extend long weekends into significant breaks. To enjoy a whopping 18 days off in two lengthy periods, book leave from May 5-8 and then May 26-29.

This will take up eight days of your holiday allowance and you'll be off work from Saturday, May 2, until Sunday, May 10, and then again from Saturday, May 23, until Sunday, May 31.

You can then secure nine days off as summer ends by taking just four days of leave, booking off September 1-4. This will see you off work from Saturday, August 29, and not back in until Monday, September 7.

And when the festive season rolls around, you can bag 13 consecutive days off, using only seven days of annual leave. You'll need to book off December 21, 22, 23, and 24, as well as December, 29, 30 and 31.

This will see you away from work from Saturday, December 19, until the New Year. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, you'll have different bank holidays to England and Wales.