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Brighter days are finally in sight! In a little over a month, we’ll be swapping Greenwich Mean Time for British Summer Time (AKA daylight saving time) and putting all our clocks forward by an hour.
The sun will set later in the evening and the season of beer gardens, festivals and al fresco dinners will finally be upon us. No more leaving the office in the pitch black, no more vitamin D deficiency and no more being in pyjamas by 6pm.
From the exact date clocks go forward to why we have it in the first place, here’s everything you should know about British Summer Time this year.
What date do the clocks go forward?
The clocks will go forward by an hour to mark the start of British Summer Time on Sunday March 29. That’s a little over a week after spring officially begins on March 20.
What time do the clocks go forward?
The clocks will spring forward one hour at 1am.
What is British Summer Time?
Also known as daylight saving time, British Summer Time is is simply the name for the practice of turning clocks forward in the summer so that darkness falls at a later time.
Why do the clocks go forward?
Winding the clocks forward in spring started in the UK in 1916 as a way of making better use daylight hours and getting maximum sun. Back then, it meant people could work for longer and save fuel during the war.
When do clocks go back again?
British Summer Time will last until October 25 2026, when we’ll put the clocks back again.
Do I need to change the clocks myself?
Clocks on things like phones, computers, smart TVs and modern cars will change on their own. But you will have to adjust the time yourself on older or more manual timekeeping devices like traditional clocks, some cars and kitchen appliances.
Sunset times after clocks go back
Here’s where the sun will set in major UK cities on Sunday March 29, after the clocks have gone forward.
- London – 7.28pm
- Birmingham – 7.36pm
- Manchester – 7.38pm
- Cardiff – 7.40pm
- Edinburgh – 7.44pm
- Glasgow – 7.48pm
- Belfast – 7.54pm
The UK’s post-8pm sunsets will start from April 6 (slightly earlier than last year – find out more here)
Will the UK stop doing daylight savings?
There are scientists that say turning the clocks back and forth messes with our natural body clock and overall health. They argue that daylight saving should be scrapped altogether.
Back in 2023 the EU voted to stop mandatory daylight savings time (though its yet to implement that). There are no plans to do so here in Britain. A 2024 YouGov poll revealed that Brits are split on whether we should or not (46 percent said we should keep it, and 42 percent said to scrap it).
Where else in the world do clocks change?
There are around 70 countries that adopt daylight saving time in some form. Here’s the full list of those territories that do (outside the UK).
- Akrotiri and Dhekelia
- Albania
- Andorra
- Australia (partial)
- Austria
- Bahamas
- Belgium
- Bermuda
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Canada (partial)
- Chile (partial)
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland (partial)
- Guernsey
- Haiti
- Hungary
- Italy
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
- Israel
- Jersey
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turks and Caicos
- Ukraine
- United States (partial)
- Vatican City
Plan your spring break – these are the 14 best places to visit in the UK in 2026 and these and the best new things to do in the UK in 2026.
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