When Do the Clocks Go Back?
UK clocks go back one hour at 2am on the last Sunday in October, ending British Summer Time (BST) and returning to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
At 02:00 BST the clocks move back to 01:00 GMT — you gain one hour
The exact date and time in 2026
In 2026, UK clocks go back at 2am (02:00 BST) on Sunday 25 October 2026. At this precise moment, the time changes from 02:00 back to 01:00, giving everyone an extra hour. This ends British Summer Time (BST, UTC+1) and returns the entire UK to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+0) for the winter months.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland change their clocks at exactly the same time as England. The whole of the United Kingdom switches together — there are no regional differences.
GMT vs BST — what do they mean?
GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) is the UK's standard winter time. It sits at UTC+0, meaning it is aligned with Coordinated Universal Time with no offset. The UK uses GMT from late October until late March.
BST (British Summer Time) is the UK's summer time. It sits at UTC+1 — one hour ahead of GMT. The UK uses BST from late March until late October to make better use of daylight during longer summer days.
When the clocks go back in October, the UK moves from BST (UTC+1) back to GMT (UTC+0). When they go forward in March, the UK moves from GMT (UTC+0) to BST (UTC+1).
What actually changes when the clocks go back
When the clocks go back, you gain an extra hour of sleep. The night is effectively one hour longer. Mornings become lighter — the sun rises earlier — but evenings get noticeably darker much sooner. This shift can take a few days to adjust to, especially if you rely on daylight for your mood and energy.
Most smartphones, computers, and smart devices update automatically overnight. Analogue clocks, cooker timers, and some car clocks need to be changed manually. The easy way to remember the direction: spring forward, fall back.
Why the UK changes the clocks
The UK has used daylight saving time for over a century. The idea, associated with builder William Willett who campaigned for it in the early 1900s, is to align waking hours more closely with daylight hours. In autumn, shifting an hour of daylight from the evening back to the morning prevents very dark mornings during winter months and aligns the UK with most of Europe.
Will the UK stop changing the clocks?
There are no confirmed plans to stop. In 2019 the European Parliament voted in favour of ending seasonal clock changes for EU member states, proposing that each country would choose a permanent standard or summer time from 2021. However, the UK left the European Union and the EU proposal was not implemented in any coordinated way. The UK currently continues to change its clocks twice a year, as it has done for over a century. No legislation has been passed to end the practice.
What to expect after the change
After 25 October 2026, mornings will be lighter and evenings darker. The sun will rise earlier but set much earlier too. The next clock change comes on Sunday 28 March 2027, when clocks go forward at 1am — starting British Summer Time again and giving lighter evenings through spring and summer.
Frequently asked questions
When do the clocks go back in the UK in 2026?
In 2026, UK clocks go back at 2am (02:00 BST) on Sunday 25 October 2026. At this moment, 02:00 BST becomes 01:00 GMT, ending British Summer Time and returning to Greenwich Mean Time for winter.
Do I gain or lose an hour when the clocks go back?
You gain an hour. At 2am the clocks move back to 1am, giving you an extra hour in bed. This is often remembered with the phrase "spring forward, fall back".
When do the clocks change in the UK?
UK clocks change twice a year: they go back at 2am on the last Sunday in October (ending British Summer Time) and go forward at 1am on the last Sunday in March (starting British Summer Time).
What is the difference between GMT and BST?
GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time and is used in the UK during winter (UTC+0). BST stands for British Summer Time and is used during summer (UTC+1, one hour ahead of GMT). When the clocks go back, the UK switches from BST back to GMT.
Does Scotland change its clocks at the same time as England?
Yes. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all change their clocks at exactly the same time as England. The whole of the United Kingdom switches together — there are no regional differences.
Why do the clocks change in the UK?
The UK uses daylight saving time to make better use of daylight hours. In autumn, shifting an hour of daylight from the evening back to the morning prevents very dark mornings during winter.
Will the UK stop changing the clocks?
There are no confirmed plans to stop. In 2019 the European Parliament voted to end seasonal clock changes, but the UK left the EU and currently continues to change its clocks twice a year. No legislation has been passed to end the practice in the UK.
When do the clocks next go forward?
The clocks next go forward at 1am on Sunday 28 March 2027, starting British Summer Time again.