Are you waiting for an important letter or parcel but wondering if royal mail deliver on bank holidays?
Well, let’s cut straight to the chase – Royal Mail does not deliver on bank holidays.
Despite their ubiquitous red vans and the reassuring sight of your local postie trudging through all weather, even they get to put their feet up on public holidays.
But what exactly counts as a bank holiday? And are there any exceptions to this rule?
Let’s dive into everything you need to know about Royal Mail’s bank holiday service (or lack thereof), so you can plan your deliveries accordingly.
Do Royal Mail Deliver on Bank Holidays? The Short Answer
The simple answer is no – Royal Mail does not make deliveries or collections on bank holidays.
While they operate six days a week (Monday to Saturday) for most of the year, bank holidays are treated as non-service days, similar to Sundays.
This applies to all Royal Mail services, including:
- First and Second Class letters
- Signed For deliveries
- Special Delivery Guaranteed (except for Special Delivery Guaranteed with Sunday delivery specifically purchased)
- Tracked 24 and Tracked 48 parcels
It’s worth noting that Parcelforce, while part of the Royal Mail Group, follows the same policy and doesn’t operate on bank holidays either.
So if you’re waiting for a chunky parcel from them, you’ll need to be patient until normal service resumes.
Bank Holidays by Region: When Not to Expect Post
The UK doesn’t have a uniform approach to bank holidays, with Scotland in particular having a different schedule to England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Here’s a breakdown of when your doormat will remain letterless:
England and Wales Bank Holidays
- 1st January (New Year’s Day)
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- First Monday in May (Early May Bank Holiday)
- Last Monday in May (Spring Bank Holiday)
- Last Monday in August (Summer Bank Holiday)
- 25th December (Christmas Day)
- 26th December (Boxing Day)
Scotland Bank Holidays
- 1st January (New Year’s Day)
- 2nd January (Bank Holiday)
- Good Friday (though Royal Mail actually does deliver on this day in Scotland!)
- Easter Monday
- First Monday in May (Early May Bank Holiday)
- Last Monday in May (Spring Bank Holiday)
- First Monday in August (Summer Bank Holiday)
- 30th November (St. Andrew’s Day)
- 25th December (Christmas Day)
- 26th December (Boxing Day)
Scotland also has various local holidays where deliveries might be suspended in specific postcode areas – these vary by location.
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays
- 1st January (New Year’s Day)
- 17th March (St Patrick’s Day)
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- First Monday in May (Early May Bank Holiday)
- Last Monday in May (Spring Bank Holiday)
- 12th July (Battle of the Boyne/Orangemen’s Day)
- Last Monday in August (Summer Bank Holiday)
- 25th December (Christmas Day)
- 26th December (Boxing Day)
What Happens If You Post Something Over a Bank Holiday?
Let’s say you’ve popped a letter in the postbox on the Sunday before a bank holiday Monday – when will it actually get collected and delivered?
Any mail posted in a postbox before the final collection on the Saturday will be processed as normal.
However, anything posted after the final Saturday collection or on Sunday/bank holiday Monday won’t be collected until Tuesday (the next working day).
This means your letter or parcel could be sitting in the postbox for quite some time before it even begins its journey.
What About Post Offices on Bank Holidays?
It’s important to remember that Royal Mail (the delivery service) and Post Office (the retail branches) are actually separate entities, even though they’re often confused.
While Royal Mail doesn’t deliver on bank holidays, some Post Office branches might still be open – particularly those inside other retail outlets like WHSmith or local convenience stores.
However, opening times will be reduced, and many branches (especially the larger Crown offices) will be closed entirely.
If you need to post something urgently, it’s best to check your local Post Office’s opening hours before making the journey.
Just remember that even if they’re open and accept your item, it won’t actually start its journey until the next working day.
Will This Change Under New Ownership?
With Royal Mail’s £3.6bn foreign takeover by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, there’s legitimate concern about potential changes to service levels.
While the new ownership hasn’t announced any alterations to bank holiday policies yet, it’s worth keeping an eye on developments.
The takeover deal includes commitments regarding the Universal Service Obligation, but these primarily focus on maintaining nationwide delivery coverage rather than service days.
As we’ve seen with other privatised services, cost-cutting measures often follow such acquisitions, so future bank holidays could potentially see even more restricted services.
Sunday Deliveries: The One Exception to the Rule
While bank holidays remain delivery-free zones, Royal Mail has actually expanded to offer some limited Sunday services.
This includes:
- Special Delivery Guaranteed items where Sunday delivery was specifically purchased
- Some Tracked parcels (but not letters) in certain areas
- Amazon parcels in areas where Royal Mail has specific contracts
So while you won’t get your regular post on a bank holiday Monday, you might still receive a parcel on the Sunday before!
Sending or Receiving Something from Royal Mail? Plan Ahead for Bank Holidays
To sum up, if you’re expecting important mail around a bank holiday, be prepared for delays.
Royal Mail won’t be delivering on the day itself, and anything posted just before or during the bank holiday won’t start moving until normal service resumes.
For sending important items, it’s best to:
- Post well in advance of bank holidays
- Consider using Special Delivery Guaranteed for time-critical items
- Check tracking information regularly if available
- Use alternative courier services if you absolutely need delivery on a bank holiday
And remember, while waiting an extra day for that exciting parcel might be frustrating, spare a thought for your local posties – even they deserve a day off to enjoy a soggy bank holiday barbecue or a trip to an overcrowded beach like the rest of us!
