Are Bank Holidays in the UK devoid of any national or religious significance?

Bank Holidays in the UK are far from being devoid of national or religious significance. They're actually deeply rooted in both! Think about Christmas Day and Easter Monday – these are obviously religious holidays celebrating key events in the Christian calendar. Then you have days like Boxing Day, which, while not explicitly religious, has historical ties to charitable giving around Christmas. Even the August Bank Holiday, while seemingly secular, provides a day off for people to enjoy the summer and often coincides with local festivals and celebrations that reflect regional culture. The very concept of a "bank holiday" was introduced by banker and politician Sir John Lubbock in 1871, aiming to provide days of rest and recreation. So, while some bank holidays might feel more like general days off, they all have a historical or cultural reason for being, often linked to national events or religious observances. It's easy to think they're just for convenience, but they're actually markers of important traditions and beliefs.