Lubbock's Legacy: How Sir John's Love of Cricket Shaped UK Bank Holidays

The origins of bank holidays in the UK date back to 1871 when Sir John Lubbock, the 1st baron of Avery, authored the Bank Holidays Act.

Lubbock's influence was instrumental in introducing these days off for workers. Interestingly, his love for cricket may have played a role in setting the dates for bank holidays.

Before 1871, there were no fixed bank holidays, but instead, the Bank of England observed about thirty-three saints' days and religious festivals as holidays. In 1834, this was reduced to just four: Good Friday, 1st May, 1st November, and Christmas Day.

The '70s saw a campaign by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for an extra bank holiday, which was successful at the time. However, today, about a third of UK workers still clock in on at least one bank holiday a year, mainly due to industries such as hospitality and transportation.