Observed the last Monday of August in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this public holiday usually marks the end of summer holidays and a return to work or school. In Scotland, the summer bank holiday is observed the first Monday of August.

A Bank Holiday is a day when all banks, the majority of government buildings and other businesses close as part of a mandatory public holiday.

The Bank Holidays Act of 1871 originally had four bank holidays in England, Wales: Easter Monday, Whit Monday, the first Monday in August, and Boxing Day in England and Wales. That has since been superseded by the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971, which currently rules that there should be eight bank holidays in total – although the dates can often change depending on the way the calendar falls for that particular year.

Summer Bank Holiday was moved from the first to the last Monday in August as part of the reforms. Europe's biggest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival, takes place over the Summer Bank Holiday weekend, with floats, bands and two million people celebrating Caribbean culture and traditions. Leeds and Reading festivals are also held on the last weekend of August.

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