As Britain prepares for another long weekend it may surprise some to discover that there's actually no legal right to time off on a bank holiday. Bank holidays have only meant time off since 1871, when the old Etonian banker and MP Sir John Lubbock introduced the idea on the assumption that all work would cease if banks shut down. Lubbock, a cricket fan, wanted to give people time to attend local matches.

In many countries, paid leave for public holidays is guaranteed by the state and some have a fair number dotted around the calendar. Work-shy employees may want to consult their atlases and the following guide.