When Do the Clocks Go Back in 2026? Date, Time and What to Expect
Last updated: 1 October 2026
The clocks in the UK go back one hour at 2am on Sunday 25 October 2026. At 2am the time becomes 1am, so you get an extra hour in bed. This marks the end of British Summer Time (BST). The UK returns to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) until the clocks go forward again on Sunday 28 March 2027.
Clock change dates for 2026 and 2027
Here’s what you need to know:
| Year | Clocks go forward (1am → 2am) | Clocks go back (2am → 1am) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday 29 March | Sunday 25 October |
| 2027 | Sunday 28 March | Sunday 31 October |
The rule is simple: clocks go forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October. An easy way to remember is “spring forward, fall back”.
Do I need to change my clocks?
- Update automatically: smartphones, computers, smart speakers, most smart TVs, and anything connected to the internet or a mobile network.
- Usually need changing by hand: car dashboard clocks, ovens and microwaves, older alarm clocks, central heating timers, wall clocks and watches.
Tip: check your heating and hot water timer. If it isn’t updated, your heating will come on an hour early, which wastes energy at a time when energy prices have just gone up.
What changes when the clocks go back?
- Lighter mornings, darker evenings. Sunset in London moves to around 4:40pm straight after the change, and gets earlier through November and December.
- Night shifts. If you work overnight on 24–25 October, you’ll work an extra hour. Check with your employer how this is paid.
- Travel. Trains, buses and flights around 1–2am follow the new time. Check your booking if you are travelling that night.
- Road safety. Darker evening commutes often see more accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists. Wear something bright and use lights on your bike.
How to cope with the change
- Go to bed at your normal time on Saturday night and enjoy the extra hour.
- Get outside in daylight in the morning. It helps reset your body clock.
- For babies and young children, move bedtime 10–15 minutes later each night in the days before the change.
- Keep pets’ feeding times steady and shift them gradually.
Why do the clocks change?
British Summer Time was first introduced in 1916 to make better use of daylight in summer evenings. Moving the clocks forward in spring gives lighter evenings. Moving them back in autumn gives lighter mornings in winter, especially in Scotland and northern England. There have been debates about stopping the clock changes, but no change has been agreed in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Do I lose or gain an hour in October?
You gain an hour. At 2am on 25 October the clock goes back to 1am.
Is the UK on GMT or BST in winter?
In winter the UK is on GMT. BST (GMT+1) runs from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.
When do the clocks go forward in 2027?
At 1am on Sunday 28 March 2027, when you lose an hour.
