Many of us find it challenging to take enough time off to do and see all the things we’d hope to in a year, but a viral TikTok trend has shared a genius to make the most of your annual leave in 2025. By using the right strategy, you could make your annual leave go much further this year.
In the UK, the vast majority of employees have a legal entitlement of 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year. It sounds generous, but can quickly vanish if not used carefully.
As everyone rushes to book their holidays in the New Year rush, take a look at this list of the exact dates you should take off this year to make the most of your annual leave, as shared by Parkdean Resorts.
Want to spend even longer on the beach this year? Take note
(Image: Getty Images)
April
By using April’s bank holidays on Good Friday and Easter Monday, you could bag yourself 16 consecutive days off using just eight days of annual leave, reports Bristol Live. The dates you need to book off are:
- Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 17
- Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, April 25
May
Thanks to multiple bank holidays in May, you can have another extended break of nine consecutive days – or 16 if you book off around both May bank hols. The dates you need to book off are:
- Tuesday, May 6 to Friday, May 9
- Tuesday, May 27 to Friday, May 30
August
Fancy a summer getaway in August? You can make the most of your time off by booking just four days of annual leave. To get nine consecutive days off, book the following dates:
- Tuesday, August 26 to Friday, August 29
December
By booking just six days off around Christmas 2025, you can get 13 days off – leaving plenty of time to maximise your festive chocolate intake. These are the dates you need to book:Monday, December 22 to Wednesday, December 24Monday, December 29 to Wednesday, December 31
Wondering what to do with all that extra time off? Three-day breaks at Parkdean Resorts start at just £79, with dates available year-round including school holidays. For a different ‘staycation’ option, Haven Hideaway offers caravan accommodation by the coast starting at £49, while Sykes Cottages has cottage stays starting from £230.
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