May Day bank holiday – where you can go and what you can do in England, Scotland and Wales

This weekend is forecast to be the busiest May Day bank holiday on the roads in five years as loosened lockdown restrictions across Britain open up options for friends and families to reunite.

A total of 14.8 million getaway trips are planned to take place between Friday and Monday, an RAC poll of 1,050 UK drivers suggests. That is the most for this bank holiday weekend since 2016.

The Easter Bank holiday was quieter than usual due to Covid restrictions which required people in England and Scotland to ‘stay local’.

Some holiday accommodation was open in Wales over Easter, but Welsh residents were required to stay on their side of the border with England.

Since Monday April 26, people living in Britain have been allowed to travel anywhere they want in the mainland UK without an essential reason.

This opens up the May Day bank holiday weekend for day trips and reunions, while hospitality businesses are now open in some way, shape or form in England, Scotland and Wales.

Trips abroad will have to wait until May 17 at the earliest and there are still restrictions on who you can see, what you can do, where you can stay and how you should travel around Britain over the May Day bank holiday.

Where can I go in the UK over the May Day bank holiday weekend?

While the UK Government – which makes the rules for England – asks people to “minimise the amount you travel where possible” and “avoid making unnecessary trips” it only says that you “should” do that, not that you “must”. Self contained holiday accommodation (where facilities are not shared) reopened in England on Monday April 12, so going away overnight is acceptable, even if it is for a non-essential reason like a holiday, as long as you do so in your household group (that can include a support bubble) and do not share accommodation with other households.

The Cabinet Office says: “You do not need a reasonable excuse to leave England to travel to other parts of the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland.

“You should check the restrictions in place where you intend to travel to before making arrangements to travel.”

While the UK Government says you do not need a reasonable excuse to leave England to go to Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, both Irish governments say their borders are open for essential travel only.

Travel from England to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

Non-essential travel between England and Scotland has been allowed again since April 26. Restrictions on non-essential travel between England and Wales were lifted on Monday April 12.

Travel between England and Northern Ireland is more complicated. The Northern Ireland Government only allows essential travel between mainland UK and Northern Ireland.

It says: “You should not travel in or out of Northern Ireland except where it is essential to do so.”

If you do head to Northern Ireland from England, Scotland or Wales, you are advised to quarantine for 10 days on arrival. The Northern Ireland Government says: “If you are arriving into Northern Ireland from within the Common Travel Area and you plan to remain here for at least 24 hours, public health advice is that you should self-isolate upon arrival for 10 days, unless you are exempt.”

Non-essential travel from mainland Britain to the Republic of Ireland is banned by the Dublin Government and anybody entering the country must provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test. There are also restrictions on travel within the Republic.

In a nutshell, travel from England to Wales and Scotland is allowed, but you’ll need a good excuse to cross the Irish Sea, even though both Northern Ireland and the Republic Ireland share a common travel area with Britain.

Can I go to mainland Europe or elsewhere abroad over the May Day bank holiday?

Non-essential travel abroad (to countries not in the common travel area shared by the UK and Republic of Ireland) is not allowed until May 17, at the earliest.

Ferries to from Newcastle’s port in North Shields to Amsterdam are operating, but for essential travel only, as are international flights from Newcastle Airport.

Do I have to ‘stay local’ in England, Scotland and Wales?

While the UK Government asks residents to minimise travel, it does not say they have to stay in their immediate area anymore. The advice is to avoid travelling as much as you can, but that is advice. It says “should” not “must”.

Can I stay overnight, who can I stay with and can I share accommodation with other households?

Yes, you can stay overnight in England, Scotland and Wales, as long as it is in approved accommodation, such as a hotel with facilities which are not shared. But you can not stay overnight at a friend or relative’s house, as there are still restrictions on socialising indoors in private settings.

If staying in tourist accommodation, you can not share a room with anybody outside your household or support bubble.

Within England, the Government says: “You can stay overnight in a campsite, caravan, boat, second home, or other self-contained accommodation. This should only be with your household or support bubble. You must not stay overnight with anyone not in your household or support bubble, unless a legal exemption applies.”

The Scottish Government says: “You can travel anywhere in Scotland and can stay in holiday accommodation – but you should not stay in someone else’s house.”

The Welsh Government says: “You will only be able to share holiday accommodation with the people you live with in your household, and people in your support bubble (or anyone who is a carer of a member of the household).”

Who can I I travel and go on holiday with?

Despite relaxations in lockdown rules which allow households to meet up outdoors, if you are going on holiday or a trip, you must only travel with members of your household, which can include a support bubble.

The Department for Transport says: “Car sharing is not permitted with someone from outside your household or your support bubble unless your journey is undertaken for an exempt reason. For example, if car sharing is reasonably necessary as part of your work.”

Similarly, if staying overnight, you can only share accommodation with those from your household/bubble.

Do I have to drive or can I take the train and bus?

You can use the rail and bus networks for bank holiday weekend travel, even for non-essential journeys, but wear a face covering, maintain social distancing, minimise journeys when you can and try and travel when carriages are quieter.

The Government says: “You can continue using the public transport network if you need to travel.

“You must wear a face covering on public transport and in substantially enclosed areas of transport hubs in England. You will be breaking the law if you fail to do so and could be fined.”

Face coverings are also mandatory for travel in Wales and Scotland, unless you have a valid exemption.

Further UK Government advise on using public transport:

What can I do this bank holiday weekend? What’s open in England, Scotland and Wales?

Outdoor attractions are open in England, along with outdoor hospitality such as pavement cafes and beer gardens. Sports facilities are also open. But indoor entertainment venues – such as theatres and cinemas – are shut until May 17, as are indoor sections of pubs, cafes and restaurants.

In Scotland, indoor retailers, museums and galleries are open, as is indoor hospitality, although alcohol can only be served outdoors. Gyms and swimming pools are open. Outdoor attractions, such as Edinburgh Zoo, are also open. Cinemas and theatres remain closed

In Wales, outdoor hospitality is open, as are non-essential retailers and outdoor attractions like fun fairs. Swimming pools and cinemas are shut. Indoor activities for children are permitted from Monday May 3.

How many people can I meet and hang out with at once?

In England you can meet up in groups of up to six outdoors from up to six different households, or larger groups if they come from a maximum of two households.

In Wales, up to six people from six households can meet outdoors.

In Scotland, groups of six from a maximum of two households can meet indoors, in a public setting like a cafe but not on a private home. Up to six people from up to six households can meet outdoors.

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