Nothing soothes the soul quite like looking at a list of all the days you’re guaranteed to have off from work in a year.

Bank holidays take their name from the fact that banks, government offices and most businesses are closed on these days.

There are eight bank holidays in England and Wales, nine in Scotland and 10 in Northern Ireland.

Knowing when they are in advance can be useful for holidaymakers who may want to plan their trips abroad around the same time so as to get some extra days off that won’t be include in annual leave.

So, wherever you are in the UK, here are some of the dates you’ve got to look forward to for the year ahead.

2019 Bank and Public Holidays:

New Year’s Day: Tuesday 1 January

Tuesday 1 January New Year’s Holiday: Wednesday 2 January (Scotland only)

Wednesday 2 January (Scotland only) St Patrick’s Day: Monday 18 March (Northern Ireland only)

Monday 18 March (Northern Ireland only) Good Friday: Friday 19 April

Friday 19 April Easter Monday: Monday 22 April (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only)

Monday 22 April (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only) Early May bank holiday: Monday 6 May

Monday 6 May Spring bank holiday: Monday 27 May

Monday 27 May Battle of the Boyne : Friday 12 July (Northern Ireland only)

: Friday 12 July (Northern Ireland only) Summer bank holiday : Monday 5 August (Scotland only)

: Monday 5 August (Scotland only) Summer bank holiday: Monday 26 August (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only)

Monday 26 August (England, Wales and Northern Ireland only) St Andrew’s Day: Monday 2 December (Scotland only)

Monday 2 December (Scotland only) Christmas Day: Wednesday 25 December

Wednesday 25 December Boxing Day: Thursday 26 December

Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Show all 16 1 /16 Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Southwold.jpg Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Blackpool.jpg Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Rhossili.jpg Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Lowestoft.jpg Lowestoft boasts three fine, sandy beaches and is a perfect spot for anyone wanting to try a spot of windsurfing or jet skiing. Those with no need for adrenalin sports can take a gentle walk along the pier or try their hand at crazy golf Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Burnhamonsea.jpg Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Hoklkham.jpg Holkham in Norfolk is a romantic and isolated stretch of sand, that is perfect for sunbathing, picnicking or horse-riding along the shore. A fringe of pine trees and breathtaking dunes that form part of England's largest nature reserve make it an ideal getaway. No wonder producers chose it as the setting for the final scene in the movie Shakespeare in Love, when Gwyneth Paltrow walked across its sands Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Brighton.jpg Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Dungeness.jpg Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Lulworth.jpg Lulworth Cove in Dorset is a beautiful shell-shaped cove, formed over millions of years. It provides a great place to relax on the beaches, swim in the cove or even go diving in the many great spots in and out of the cove. The cove has recently been placed into the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline, which should help to preserve this most picturesque of destinations Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Tenby.jpg Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Weymouth.jpg Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Sandbanks.jpg Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Machir-bay.jpg Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Robin-Hood's-Bay.jpg Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Alum-Bay.jpg Rex Features Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain) Whipsiderry.jpg Rex Features

And although they’re not days off, here are some other key dates to remember for 2019:

Valentine’s Day: Thursday 14 February

Thursday 14 February St David’s Day: Friday 1 March

Friday 1 March St Patrick’s Day: Sunday 17 March

Sunday 17 March Mothering Sunday: Sunday 31 March

Sunday 31 March St George’s Day: Tuesday 23 April

Tuesday 23 April Father’s Day: Sunday 16 June

Sunday 16 June Halloween: Thursday 31 October

Thursday 31 October Bonfire Night: Tuesday 5 November

Tuesday 5 November St Andrew’s Day: Saturday 30 November