You can turn four days’ annual leave into nine-day holiday in August

Now is the time of year when lots of people are starting to think about going away, with many looking for deals and methods to save money on last minute holidays. However, little you may know, there’s a simple technique you can use to actually extend your break too, and it’s easier than you think to achieve.

You can turn four days’ annual leave into a nine-day holiday in August by following a simple rule, and it could just help to make your travel experience better. Whether you’re planning a break away somewhere new, or just feel that you need some much needed rest while the weather is still nice, it’s a tip worth knowing.

It’s not the only handy advice of its kind to be shared either. There are all sorts of ways to make the most of your annual leave in 2026.

Little you may know, the August Bank Holiday could be the most underused date in the British calendar. And yet, with a little planning, you can turn a standard long weekend into a much longer getaway, accordng to Chris Jeffery, director at Cofton Holidays.

While many people simply enjoy the extra Monday off, if you’re savvy, you can use the date as the perfect anchor for an extended break. It’s easy to pull off when you know what to do.

What you need to do

By booking just four days of annual leave around the August Bank Holiday (Tuesday, September 1 to Friday, September 4), you can enjoy up to nine consecutive days away from work, assuming you don’t usually work weekends.

The same strategy works at Christmas too, assuming you don’t work Bank Holidays. Taking four days off between December 27 and December 30 can create a festive break stretching from Christmas Eve right through to New Year’s Day, without using a huge chunk of annual leave.

Meanwhile, looking ahead to next year, the May Bank Holidays can also be used to maximise time away from the office. If you plan carefully around the spring bank holidays, you can turn a handful of annual leave days into multiple mini-breaks, making a little time off go further.

But, this isn’t the only tip Chris has to share, as there are also ways you can save money. He added: “The greatest savings usually come from choosing when to travel.”

When is the cheapest time to travel?

According to Chris, there are also key times to travel in the UK if you want to save money on a staycation. He said: “For people not restricted by school holiday dates, late June and early July offer some of the best value breaks of the year.”

Staycation prices are often lower than during the peak summer season, roads tend to be quieter and attractions and beaches are less crowded. In some cases, accommodation can cost around half the price of an equivalent August stay.

Chris explained: “Early July we’ve got availability, lower prices and arguably better weather than the height of summer.”

So, if you’re trying to stretch your budget or your paid leave, it’s worth treating bank holidays as a bonus day off and start using them as the centre of a much longer break. It’s as simple as that.

If you’ve got holiday time left to use, it may be worth thinking about taking a few days off. There’s still time to maximise your break.