when do the clocks change in the uk

In the UK, the clocks change twice a year: they go forward 1 hour on the last Sunday in March and go back 1 hour on the last Sunday in October.

Quick Scoop

• In March, at 1:00am, the time jumps to 2:00am – this is the start of British Summer Time (BST).

• In October, at 2:00am, the time goes back to 1:00am – this returns the UK to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

• A handy way to remember it is: “spring forward, fall back”.

Upcoming UK clock change dates

• In 2026, the clocks go forward at 1:00am on Sunday 29 March.

• In 2026, the clocks go back at 2:00am on Sunday 25 October.

Why the clocks change

• The UK uses daylight saving time to give more evening daylight in spring and summer, called British Summer Time.

• In winter, switching back to GMT aligns daylight more closely with typical working and school hours.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.