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When it comes to posting and receiving parcels around public holidays, clarity is essential. One question that arises each year in the UK is: do Royal Mail deliver on Good Friday? As millions rely on Royal Mail’s services for personal and business needs, especially during seasonal holidays, understanding how Good Friday affects operations is key.
In this article, we break down Royal Mail’s delivery schedule for Good Friday, explain the wider Easter postal impact, and outline how customers can plan effectively around these changes.
What Is The Royal Mail’s Delivery Schedule On Good Friday?
On Good Friday, Royal Mail does not provide any delivery or collection services across the United Kingdom.
This applies uniformly across all service classes, including both standard and premium options. Royal Mail aligns its operations with UK public holidays, and Good Friday is officially recognised as a non-working day.
The Following Services Are Not Available on Good Friday
- Royal Mail 1st Class and 2nd Class deliveries
- Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm
- Tracked 24 and Tracked 48 services
- Royal Mail Signed For services
- Business collections or deliveries
While delivery resumes on the next working day, there may be delays due to the accumulation of mail over the Easter weekend. It is common for items sent close to Good Friday to take longer than usual to arrive, even if they were dispatched earlier in the week.
Royal Mail typically issues a service alert in advance, confirming that no deliveries or collections will take place on Good Friday. This policy applies across all regions of the UK, including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Is Good Friday Considered A Bank Holiday By Royal Mail?
Yes, Good Friday is a recognised bank holiday in the UK, and Royal Mail adheres to the national calendar for England and Wales. The organisation observes Good Friday as a non-operational day, meaning there are:
- No mail deliveries to homes or businesses
- No collections from postboxes or business addresses
- No parcel movement through sorting centres
For 2025, Good Friday falls on Friday, 18 April, and it is one of the officially confirmed bank holidays on which Royal Mail will not be operating.
This designation aligns with the UK government’s list of statutory holidays, where Good Friday is listed alongside other major holidays like Easter Monday, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. As a result, Royal Mail’s services are paused entirely during this day.
Are Post Offices Open On Good Friday?
While Royal Mail services are suspended, Post Office branches may have varied opening hours depending on their location and ownership. Post Offices in the UK fall into two main categories:
- Crown Post Offices, which are directly managed by the Post Office
- Franchise Post Offices, typically located within retail stores such as WHSmith, Spar, or Co-op
Most Crown Post Offices will be closed on Good Friday as they follow the public holiday calendar strictly. However, franchise locations may remain open with reduced hours if the host retail store is trading.
Customers looking to access basic postal services may be able to:
- Use self-service kiosks in open branches
- Post parcels via drop-boxes or parcel points
- Buy postage and track parcels online using Royal Mail Click & Drop
It’s always advisable to check the specific opening hours of your local branch on the official Post Office website before visiting on Good Friday.
Can I Send Or Receive Parcels On Good Friday?
Sending or receiving parcels through Royal Mail is not possible on Good Friday. Since all mail operations are paused, no items are moved through the postal network.
This impacts the following:
- Sending parcels: Any items posted in a box or dropped at a Post Office will not be processed until the next working day.
- Receiving parcels: No mail will be delivered, including tracked or Special Delivery items.
- Tracking updates: Tracking information may not update until the next active processing day.
Although you can prepare parcels using online services, they will remain static in the system until Royal Mail resumes activity. Services like Click & Drop still allow customers to purchase labels and prepare shipping documentation during holidays.
To avoid delays, individuals and businesses are encouraged to:
- Post items early in the week
- Avoid relying on next-day services near the holiday
- Notify recipients of expected delays
How Does The Royal Mail Schedule Change During Easter?
Easter introduces a unique disruption in Royal Mail’s calendar because it includes two public holidays:
- Good Friday (18 April 2025)
- Easter Monday (21 April 2025)
Both days are treated as non-operational, with no deliveries or collections on either. Easter Sunday is a regular non-postal day, so effectively, services are paused for a full four-day period from Friday to Monday.
Here’s a general overview of service changes during Easter:
- Thursday (17 April 2025): Last full operational day before the break
- Friday to Monday (18–21 April 2025): No deliveries, collections, or processing
- Tuesday (22 April 2025): Services resume with possible backlog-related delays
Customers should note that even Tracked 24 and Special Delivery Guaranteed services will not be delivered during this period. If time-sensitive items are posted just before Easter, they may not reach their destination until mid-week following the holiday.
What Alternatives Are Available If Royal Mail Isn’t Delivering?
During Royal Mail’s holiday breaks, some private courier companies continue to operate. Depending on the provider, there may be limited or full services available on Good Friday.
Here are a few alternatives:
- DPD: May offer scheduled deliveries depending on commercial contracts
- Evri (formerly Hermes): Often operates 7 days a week, including bank holidays
- Yodel: May offer reduced services
- Amazon Logistics: Typically delivers throughout the Easter weekend, especially in metropolitan areas
Additional options include using:
- InPost lockers for self-service sending and collection
- Amazon Lockers for Amazon parcel pick-up
- ParcelShop drop-off points (e.g., through Evri or DPD Local)
Before using any alternative courier, customers should:
- Check the courier’s Good Friday service availability
- Ensure that cut-off times for same-day or next-day delivery are met
- Track parcels using provided tools for real-time updates
These alternatives are particularly helpful for urgent or business-critical deliveries that cannot be delayed.
What Are The 2025 Royal Mail Holiday Dates In England And Wales?
To assist with planning ahead, Royal Mail publishes a comprehensive list of non-working days each year. For 2025, the following dates are confirmed bank holidays with no delivery or collection services:
| Date | Holiday | Royal Mail Services |
| Wednesday, 1 January | New Year’s Day | No collections or deliveries |
| Friday, 18 April | Good Friday | No collections or deliveries |
| Monday, 21 April | Easter Monday | No collections or deliveries |
| Monday, 5 May | Early May Bank Holiday | No collections or deliveries |
| Monday, 26 May | Spring Bank Holiday | No collections or deliveries |
| Monday, 25 August | Summer Bank Holiday | No collections or deliveries |
| Thursday, 25 December | Christmas Day | No collections or deliveries |
| Friday, 26 December | Boxing Day | No collections or deliveries |
This list is especially useful for businesses that rely on postal services and need to coordinate communications, billing, or product dispatches around the public holiday calendar.
How Can I Stay Updated On Royal Mail Service Changes?
Royal Mail maintains a regularly updated Service Update portal where customers can find information about:
- Public holiday schedules
- Delays due to weather or industrial action
- Changes to delivery routes or local services
To stay informed, customers can:
- Visit royalmail.com/service-update
- Subscribe to service notifications via email
- Use the Royal Mail app for tracking and alerts
- Follow Royal Mail on platforms like Twitter or Facebook for announcements
Additionally, Royal Mail offers a “Delivery Office Finder” tool, which helps users locate local collection points and their opening times, particularly useful during holiday periods.
For more personalised updates, customers and businesses may contact Royal Mail’s customer service team via phone or live chat, though availability may be limited during holidays.
Conclusion
Royal Mail does not operate delivery or collection services on Good Friday, as it is a recognised UK bank holiday. To avoid delays, it’s essential to plan ahead—especially during the busy Easter period.
While post offices may have limited availability, no mail is processed or delivered until the next working day. For time-sensitive needs, consider private courier services.
Staying informed through Royal Mail’s service updates ensures a smoother experience when sending or receiving items around public holidays like Good Friday.
FAQs About Royal Mail on Good Friday
Does Royal Mail deliver Special Delivery items on Good Friday?
No, Special Delivery items are not delivered or collected on Good Friday. Delivery is made on the next available working day.
Will tracking update on Good Friday for Royal Mail parcels?
Tracking may not update during the holiday. Parcels in transit will resume their journey when operations restart.
Can I collect mail from a delivery office on Good Friday?
Most delivery offices are closed. Some may offer limited hours on the Saturday after Good Friday.
Are Royal Mail customer service lines open on Good Friday?
Customer service lines are typically closed on Good Friday. You can access FAQs or use online help tools in the meantime.
Do postboxes get emptied on Good Friday?
No, Royal Mail does not collect from postboxes on Good Friday. Collections resume on the next working day.
Is it better to send parcels before or after Good Friday?
It’s always best to send important parcels at least two working days before Good Friday to avoid delays.
Do other couriers deliver on Good Friday in the UK?
Some private couriers such as Evri or DPD may offer limited services. It’s best to check with the individual provider.